Would you pay for a private scan for reassurance?

[lepetomaine]

I am driving myself insane. Only 21wks and have anterior placenta so not feeling much movement at all, but had anterior last time and my first DC was a total fidget. This one isn't, lay still on all scans etc, and it's making me paranoid. I have felt movements but they are few and far between and I am so anxious.

Is it worth paying for a private US maybe? I think if I saw that baby was fine I'd be able to calm down.

There's not much point ringing MW, mine has left and my next appointment isn't til March. Baby runs away from dopplers and it's not like they can DO anything at this stage anyway is it?

I think the guidelines say that if you have anterior placenta movements may not be felt consistently till 28 weeks so if you are feeling them already then that is a good thing.

Obviously if you booked yourself a 4d scan for about 25 weeks you'd see that everything is fine, but you'd probably be feeling more movement by then anyway. If you have serious worries about reduced movements you should be calling the hospital for monitoring though, although I'm not sure they would do anything more than doppler before 24 weeks.

Yes if it would reassure you

It's money we'll spent if it stops you stressing

Well

Thank you so much for replying. I don't want a 4D (I think they're creepy!) but I could get a gender scan at a clinic recommended by the hospital for £80. I do know the gender but another look wouldn't hurt :)

One of my friends is a MW, I'm seeing her for a drink next week so might ask if she'll bring her doppler. I don't know why I'm so bloody anxious, but maybe it's because so many friends and acquaintances have suffered mc and stillbirth since my last pg :( I almost feel like 2 babies is being greedy. I didn't feel movements consistently last time til about 25 wks I don't think. Feel a bit better now. Think I can feel something fluttering under my ribs too.

I'll speak to my OH and my MW friend, we don't have £80 to burn but we could find it.

I feel better for reading replies, thank you so much. Sat at my desk at work trying not to cry! I hate being pregnant, so much nicer once you have the baby in your arms.

Hello, I am not that far on - only 11 weeks but had a missed miscarriage last year. I have found scans very reassuring to confirm it is still alive but the reassurance only lasts for a bit (a day or two) and then I stress again. If it would put your mind at rest it is definitely worth it - my Dh found it worth it just to shut me up for a couple of days.

Hi LIG1979, sorry to hear about your loss. Fingers crossed for an easy pregnancy/birth and a lovely bouncing baby for you this time. The clinic I have been looking at do packages, would that be an option for you? Expensive but cheaper than the individual scans, and you would be able to tick off the days til the next one.

I think if I saw the baby on US and it was fine, I'd be alright because I'd know that it was normal for this baby. My first never stopped moving, all my scans were difficult because she didn't keep still whereas this time they've seen everything they wanted straight away! I think that's why I'm so worried. I wouldn't have been the other way round.

There is something going on this morning, I think. Unless it's wind...I do feel movement but then I worry I imagined it! I wish I could go to bed and wake up in 18 weeks time.

OP - I know how you feel. I have anterior placenta too and couldn't really feel anything until 23 weeks.

I did mention this to the doctor when I saw her and she got the doppler out straight away. I found that very reassuring.

I would say that £80 (how much it is round here) for a private scan is worth it if it will calm you down. I had one at 8 weeks because I couldn't bear the wait until 14 weeks for my first scan!

Thanks Mikocat, last time I saw MW (35 years experience) she got the heartbeat straight away with doppler then baby turned and she couldn't find it again. Maybe it's just awkward! I think I'll probably pay for scan rather than go to surgery for doppler, because if they can't find hb which is perfectly possible then I'll have to wait for a scan anyway and really will go deranged with worry.