To book a private ultrasound scan

[user1487755366]

I'm around 9 weeks with no.1 and desperate to know that everything is ticking over okay in there. I haven't had a date through for my 12 week scan yet (I've heard these can happen as late as 14 weeks though..). I had initially ruled out a private scan as extra risk in the current situation but now I'm rethinking. My local clinic is very well reviewed and is taking all the distancing precautions that are available in the hospital (no partners etc.). They also have a booking available for next week which would be ideal for me because:

1. DH has week off work (happens rarely - he's a busy keyworker- and support would be there in case something was wrong.
2. I am still off work but likely to be going back around when the time would come for my 12 week scan. If something was wrong I'd be beside myself and might be looking at taking time off too.

I know this is a lot of whatiffing - but would it be unreasonable to book?

I had a scan at 8/9 weeks and it was lovely - I literally could not get my head around the fact that I was pregnant and just had to see it for myself. It helped me a lot. I'd say go for it

It's a personal decision, however the "reassurance scan" in my opinion is misleading. Things can change between 9 weeks and your 12 weeks scan (I know from experience as it happened to me). If the scan did pick anything up you would still need to attend the EPU for an official diagnosis/scan etc.

If you just fancy seeing you baby and have the cash spare go for it. It's still a nice experience and you tend to spend more time at a private scan than an NHS scan.

I had two private scans before my 12 week scan. Both really reassuring in the moment and for a while afterwards but my anxiety would come back. All in all, I’ve had 5 scans including the NHS 12 and 20 week scans. One at 7-8 weeks, one at 9-10 weeks, one at 12 weeks, one at 16 weeks and one at 20 weeks. I have loved each and every one and I don’t regret having them but, especially the early ones, the reassurance is only short lived. I can now feel my baby kicking and wriggling and that’s much more reassuring for me.

I had pregnancy viability scans with both of my children, it reassured me massively and put my mind at rest.
I had them at 5 weeks and 8 weeks pregnant. I was told by the obstetrician that if the foetus is developing well and has a strong heartbeat at 8 weeks then the probability of miscarriage is only 5%.
Apparently most miscarriages happen before 9 weeks however it isn’t detected until the usual 12 week scan.

The scans were lovely (internal scans tough... so be prepared for that!) and they can put your mind at rest but it won’t let you know the long term health of the pregnancy.

Congratulations and good luck!

I had a 5 week scan - kept imagining pain in my side convinced it was an ectopic pregnancy and wanted to know ASAP. Baby was in the correct place and we even heard the heartbeat that early on. Would definitely always recommend an early scan it’s just so reassuring.

Thank you! I've just made a booking for Monday :)

You won't regret it, I'm sure. I booked a gender scsn for 16 weeks so further along than you, but I had some problems early on. Although I had scans through the NHS to check that everything was still fine, the sonographer took her time double checking everything, explaining in further detail and generally reassuring me, as well as doing the gender scan. It was worth every penny.

Hope it went ok @op

Thank you @rosieposies - it went really well - found out that I'm expecting twins and they look really healthy!

Wow! What a surprise! How lovely. Congratulations OP

Congratulations op.

Wow twins! Congratulations OP!

Congratulations! Twins!!