Early scan?

[reluctantlondoner]

Is there any point in paying privately for an early scan?

We paid to have one at 8 weeks as reassurance. I just wanted to know that there was in fact a baby in there! You don't need to have one, but personally it put my mind at rest and was lovely to hear the heartbeat that early on. I suffer with anxiety, so it was 100% worth it for me.

We also paid for an early gender scan at 16 weeks as I couldn't wait to find out what we were having (and they got us to go back free if charge at 17 weeks to double check as he wouldn't keep still!!). Ended up with 2 extra growth scans on the NHS too-so was quite a papped baby even before his arrival!!

If you can afford it I'd say go for it.

Thanks @Kcoffecakebubs good advice

@reluctantlondoner it totally depends what you want to gain. A scan has no predictive value, so all an early scan can tell you is that there is a baby (or babies!) in the uterus and that the heart is beating. That’s the positive. If there are concerns such as pain or bleeding you should consult your GP or A&E department who will be able to advise about whether review in an early pregnancy unit would be appropriate (within the NHS)
Unfortunately you can have additional worries arising from an early scan - it can be hard to assess with confidence which is why the NHS scan is times for around 12 weeks. Things that can look slightly “off” at 10+ weeks can in fact be fine and look quite normal by 12 weeks.This includes things like nuchal translucency measurement and umbilical herniation.
If concerns arise at 8-10 weeks, there is unusually nothing that can be done other than wait for a 12 week scan.
Personally I would not usually advise an early scan outside of the NHS, but clearly we all have the right to choose money as we see fit.

Thanks @Nanmumandmidwife that's very helpful perspective. Perhaps I won't bother then. I already have a baby so it will be much harder to do additional appointments this time around! I'll just have to hope all is well at the 12 week scan xx

I paid for a scan at 8 weeks. Like PP it was just for reassurance. I had barely any symptoms so just wanted to make sure there was something in there and all was in the right place!!
Was a lovely experience, seeing movement, heartbeat etc. I also think 12 weeks is so long g to. Wait for a first scan.. I’m very impatient!
If you can afford it I’d say go for it. Just reassured me and got some pics to take home.

Appreciate it won’t tell you the whole picture obviously — there can be other issues not shown on early scan.. but I guess I wanted to know the basics (that there was def something there at least!)

To offer a different view, I paid for an early scan and heard a heartbeat. I then had a mmc when I found out about at another early scan. Yes they reassure you at the time but they are only a snapshot of that moment.