Babybond Gender Scan

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Hi Mumsnetters,

I am considering paying for the Babybond gender scan at 16 weeks, however my partner is worried about the safety of it and the waves? Something to do with it being close to a microwave? (By this point i had no idea what he was on about..)

Could anybody tell me whether they have had this done first of all and advise how safe it is?

I have looked at the FAQs on the website and it doesnt really say much.

Ive not personally used babybond myself, but was looking into a private gender scan so have looked them up. It is just the same as a normal routine scan that you would have at 12 weeks and 20 weeks, only they just look to determine the sex rather than do a medical examination.

If your DP is worried about it, he can always ring and enquire about the procedure, but it is exactly the same as a normal NHS scan, except you pay for it...!

I have used babybond twice and found them to be excellent - they use the same equipment as the NHS so it is safe.

Oh, silly me, its the 4D bit hes concerned about. You get a 4DFreeview.

Gah im such a donut. He's fine with the rest lol, just a lil concerned about how they do the 4D part. X

I didn't really look into the 4D side of it, I just thought 'Ooo, that's clever/scary looking' ha ha ha x

Lol, i just want it so i can find out asap what i am having.

I found out with my first and want to find out with my second and i dont want to wait until 20 week scan, i know its only 4 weeks difference but still!

Thanks for the responses. :) X

They are just switching from one 'view' to another. The lady did not use a different wand or unit - it was all done from the same piece of equipment. She just pressed buttons on her keyboard to change the view. Be aware that the quality of the 4d image is dependant on how well the baby presents - my Wriggler was not very cooperative and to be honest the 4d was a bit disappointing, not the fault of the tech or babybond though. I opted to have a DVD of the scan and this was of the normal scan and I have found this by far to be the best momento - to be able to watch back her actually movements.

Thanks Jill, i have just read this out to my partner and he has said it's up to me so I think I am going to proceed with it!! Excited a little now!

Can i just ask how long the procedure took?

Im thinking of taking my almost 4 year old to it as i know they'd be more willing to have him there than a hospital would and i think it will be a really nice experience for him. X

The first one in manchester was a good 30 mins. Gender scan in Preston was slightly shorter - 20 mins. I found them to be very professional and friendly. They made it a lovely experience - I am thinking of going again once I am into the 30 + weeks just to say hi again to my Wriggler!! I can't see them having a problem with your son being there - the girl in before me looked about 17 and had a HORDE of girlfriends in tow!! The quality of the normal scan pictures is far superior to the ones from the NHS and I got half a dozen.

Mind set. Im going to book one. Is it worth waiting until after my dating scan before i do it?

Last scan i had makes me 10 weeks today.

Also, sorry, did you find out the gender? Was they correct in what they said it was?

Sorry for all the questions!!!

They do gender scans from 16 weeks - I was 17 weeks. She said a girl and went to great length to show me the 'bits' and explain why a girl - she was very confident - it was confirmed at my nhs 20 week scan. I think I sholuld be on commission for them!!! lol!! :)

at 16 weeks i wouldnt pay extra for the 4d as you wont see too much better wait til nearly 30 weeks. they will tell you the sex at the normal gender scan and you will get pics and they may switch to 4d briefly to show you but you wont get a dvd or snything unless you pay for itt but at 16 weeks the 4d wouldnt be great, baby not developed enough to see features properly etc. i recommend babybond i also had gender scan but declined to pay extra for the 4d and receptionist suggested waiting til later in pregnancy for better 4d results. enjoy your experience.

Thanks everyone. :) X

Can I butt in and ask how much you paid and if you felt it was worth it?
Our little one's legs were crossed at the 20 weeks scan so we didn't find out although we really had wanted to. I'm 22 weeks now but wondering about it still.

it was £80 and I loved it - understandably the NHS scans are pretty rushed but at Babybond it is all about you spending time seeing the baby. I paid an extra £20 for the dvd of the scan and it is a treasure I will have forever - it is great to have it to take away and look at again again in your own time. Also there was a couple there who had a naughty baby and the tech guy just kept sending them off for a walk and then they kept going back in until baby revealed it's self! They try really hard to accomadate - I believe they re-bookyou if they can't do at no extra cost

I'm really tempted (think DH would like to know too)

Had a gender scan done today at 18 weeks and found out were having a girl (my 4th!). They were great, brilliant service and staff. Could see her bits very clearly and she said how they tell and took a picture of them! Had the 4D free view part, baby in bad position but they tried quite a while to get a decent face view which I was pleased with. Got some lovely pics :)

i have had lots of scans during my pregnancy and i have researched whether it can affect baby however there is no evidence to suggest that having lots of scans can. The sonographers at Babybond are all HPCP registered and all say that scans cannot harm baby. Babybond are excellent and certainly get my vote. I used the one in Maidstone and also Chelmsford . The new premises in Romford is where i had my last scan in HD 4D which was totally amazing ! I was amazed by the pictures. Check out the babybond essex facebook page as i uploaded the pictures on there !!

I've had 2... One at 15.6 and one at 17... They said girl both times and both times they were right.

It was a lovely experience, if I ever have a DC3 (unlikely!) I'll go again...

I had mine on Tuesday I went for the 'just gender' that doesn't include 4D (those pictures freak me out!) but since my little man was being stubborn as always she even switched to 4D for a moment to show me his features, as she couldn't get a decent picture of him (bum to the camera).

It was a lovely experience and even though we'd only booked the basic scan the sonographer really took her time and even had a good check of baby as I'd had a fall an hour before the scan, to make sure everything was alright.

We had a sex scan with Babybond with our twins at 16+6 and I was pleased with the service. They said two girls and that is what we had.

They only swap to a 4D view at the end for a few minutes and I think it is to lure you in for a 4D scan later on in your pregnancy.

Enjoy your scan.

I think babybond are brilliant. We have been there for an early scan, a gender scan and a growth scan (we might be slightly addicted to scans...)

The lady who scanned us at the gender and growth scans coincidentally also did our 20 week scan at the hospital, which goes to show that the sonographers are medically trained. We also booked the basic scans each time and have been given heaps of pictures, both 3D and 4D.

Many years ago I had a 3D scan at 18 weeks and she looked like an alien. The 2D bits were much much nicer to look at, and more "realistic" too, weirdly enough.

I should add that 3D scans are great post 28 weeks!

I had an 'early reassurance' scan at 8 weeks with Babybond and they were fab! We are going back again on Sunday for a 4D scan.

I had a gender scan with baby bond (10minutes for £39)...definitely the best £39 we've ever spent!!!