Were children ever allowed in scans?

[Chocoqueen]

I'm currently expecting my first baby, and all the appointment letters I've had say no children in scan. Obviously this isn't a problem, and I get the reasons but I was wondering if that's always been the case? I distinctly remember going to one of my mum's scans when she was pregnant with my youngest sibling in the mid-90's, I'd have been about 6 or 7, and my other sibling a year younger. Childcare wouldn't have been an issue as my dad was in the scan as well and my grandparents all lived close by and babysat a lot so we could have gone to theirs if needed. Does anyone else remember doing this?

From memory, I don’t think they’ve been allowed for a while. They’re a distraction.

I don't think they have ever been allowed and my oldest is 4

I think DS1 came to one of DS2s scans in 2000. I'm sure there was a play area in the waiting room too.

1999: was a couple with own toddler in waiting room, waiting for their scan while I waited for an ultrasound scan.
I honestly don't remember after that. It doesn't seem to me like toddlers were banned but I'm getting to gimmer age now, tbf.

My son was allowed in my 20 week scan once they'd checked baby was healthy.
My son was 5

Just found this on the NHS website

Interesting, so it does seem like a relatively-ish recent (within the last 20 years or so) thing. Like I said, I get why they can't and it's not an issue just been wondering! I remember it being quite fascinating seeing the baby!

My eldest came with us for my 20 wk scan in 1997.

My 2nd was born in 2008, and her 3 yr old sister came to my 20 week scan. She jumped for joy when they said we were having a girl.

I had one of mine in with me for the scan around 8 years ago. I remember DH lifting toddler DC up to peer at the blurry images of the baby on the screen.

There were definitely small children trashing the waiting room when I went for my scans with DS2 in 2000/2001.

A friend has 8 DCs and I’m sure at least some have been to the younger ones’ scans.

I was pregnant with my second in 2015 and my toddler was allowed in with me.

No children to scans in my local hospital in 2003, in fact no children at any antenatal appointments and only newborns on the ward elder siblings not allowed.

I took my 5&3 years old with me back in 2009

Lots of children just a couple of years ago too. Every single time.

Policy has changed because kids are not only are a distraction but if there’s something distressing or unexpected found it really wouldn’t be ideal to have a child in the room.

I can remember toddlers being in the waiting area for the scans when I went. I guess having no childcare should not be a barrier to getting antenatal care, but I agree that it shouldn't be treated as a family outing.

My daughter was allowed in one of my growth scans. I was having them twice weekly by that point and we thought it would be nice for her to bond with the baby.

I remember going with DM in 1991 when I was 7. I was so disappointed as I couldn't make anything out on the screen at all!

Will depend on the hospital.
But Dd1 came in 2003 to ours.

My daughter came in 2012 with us for a 20 week scan - she was nearly 5 though so was able to sit still. I remember it well as she was gutted and cried when she realised she wasn't getting a sister!

YES, my eldest came to my scan with DS2 as had nobody to look after him.

Not at my local hospital when I had DS 4 years ago.

In 1992 DH 2 little sisters came with us, they were 10 and 11 at the time.

We were allowed and my toddler came in along with dh in 2019; we had no child care. We explained if any drama or issues dh would take ds straight out of the room. As it happens ds was good as gold and sat quietly with dh and the staff commented how well he did, even giving him a little pic at the end to hold. I'm pleased he got to come as i wont be having a 3rd child.