Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Were children ever allowed in scans?

163 replies

Chocoqueen · 28/02/2021 15:57

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?

OP posts:
SleepingBeaut · 28/02/2021 16:22

In 2009 I was allowed to have older dc there when I had a scan

TheCatWithTheFluffyTail · 28/02/2021 16:23

My hospital has the policy that if children have to attend then it should be with another adult where possible and they stay outside for the beginning of the scan, but are allowed in at the end. So it usually means that if the child comes along the father misses out on most of the scan and the mother goes in and needs to be prepared for bad news alone.

bumpertobumper · 28/02/2021 16:24

I had ds1 with me for a 12wk scan, he was only just over 1 so oblivious to what was going on, which is good as we found out I'd had a mmc and there was no baby.
It was hard to have to hold it together for his sake in that moment.
Have since strongly advised friends not to bring kids to scans... wish someone had said something to me before, I was very naive in hindsight.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
bumpertobumper · 28/02/2021 16:24

That was in 2008 fwiw

Grapesoda7 · 28/02/2021 16:26

My older two children came to my 20 wk scan in 2011.

ChameleonClara · 28/02/2021 16:26

Would be horrid if news was bad so best to not have them there.

NoJetter · 28/02/2021 16:27

We took ds1 (aged 11 months) to my scan with ds2 in 2018. There were several toddlers and young children in the waiting room. No one said not to bring children to me and we have no one else nearby to look after him.

Crunchymum · 28/02/2021 16:28

Not NHS but I took my (then) nearly 5yo to our private sex scan with DC3 in 2017.

DP and DC2 stayed home (DC2 was a wild toddler and we didn't take her anywhere that required manners and good listening Grin )

SpamIAm · 28/02/2021 16:29

I observed some scans around 2014 and most of the women had children present (a source of much amusement I must say 😂) so it depends on the particular hospital I imagine, but it's more common for them not be be allowed these days.

Wellthisisallfuckingmarvellous · 28/02/2021 16:32

Yup in 2006 and 2009. 2009, dd had a horrendous tantrum verucca salt style she didn’t want a baby, she wanted a cat.

Littleelffriend · 28/02/2021 16:32

My dd is 7 months old. My 4 year old came to my 12 week scan in January 2020

MaudTheInvincible · 28/02/2021 16:36

My eldest came to a scan when I was expecting dc2. It was a long time ago though in 2010!

Sceptre86 · 28/02/2021 16:38

Not allowed where we are and I think it makes perfect sense because we have a large room with four bays, separated by curtains so you would be able to hear the kids which isn't ideal of you were to get bad news.

If you were getting scanned in a separate room I can understand that it might be allowed.

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 16:39

There was never any issue taking mine to scans when I had to- my youngest is 7

Bubbinsmakesthree · 28/02/2021 16:41

In 2016/17 my 2 year old came with me toa few scans (I didn’t particularly want him there, but limited childcare options). We made sure we could do the 12 week scan without him as obviously that one has highest risk of bad news. I had to have loads of growth scans so it just wasn’t practical to arrange childcare every time. Brought lots of snacks, books and games on my phone to try to keep him quiet. We weren’t the only one to have DC there and there were toys in the waiting area so they were geared up for children.

SusieSusieSoo · 28/02/2021 16:42

Ds is 8. There were signs all over the antenatal clinic & it was on all the scan letters no children allowed.

mumto2teenagers · 28/02/2021 16:44

When I had DD2 in 2002 my DD1 came to the scans.

Howshouldibehave · 28/02/2021 16:44

My DC came for my scan in 2008.

SnuggyBuggy · 28/02/2021 16:45

My DM had a load of extra scans with my sibling and no childcare. It's one of my earliest childhood memories going with her. This would have been in the 90s and I don't know if it was unusual then or not.

Herja · 28/02/2021 16:45

My DS came to scans for DD in 2014. I had no childcare; it can'thave been that uncommon because I can remember the play area provided.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 28/02/2021 16:51

Those saying they went with DH/DP and DC because you had no childcare, your DH/DP should have been your childcare. Scans are medical appointments. Yes, it’s nice for dads to see their baby growing and a good support to be able to bring someone with you in case of bad news but it’s first and foremost a medical appointment.

TalkingIntoTheEther · 28/02/2021 16:53

I took DD(4) to one of my scans in December 2019. I didn’t have a choice but no one questioned me,and there were quite a few children in the waiting room.

SoupDragon · 28/02/2021 16:53

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

Those saying they went with DH/DP and DC because you had no childcare, your DH/DP should have been your childcare. Scans are medical appointments. Yes, it’s nice for dads to see their baby growing and a good support to be able to bring someone with you in case of bad news but it’s first and foremost a medical appointment.
Why did they provide a play area then?
ofwarren · 28/02/2021 16:57

My middle child came to both scans with my youngest. Middle child was 1 and this was 2016

justanotherneighinparadise · 28/02/2021 17:13

They tended to allow it if there was no choice. I’ve certainly taken young children into scabs with me in the past.