Ay value in private scans in last half of regnancy?

[WinterMymble]

Hi everybody. Has anybody had, or is planning to have, a private scAn between twenty and forty weeks? If so i wuld love to hear (a) when you did it, (b) how you went about finding a provider and (c) why you did it, and the value of it.

We have had the last official nhs scan, the twenty week one. All seemed fine. So No more nhs scheduled scans until the main event. But i know that many people do seek out scans, later on, private "welfare scans" etc just to check all is well and eg cord isn't tangled or whatever (am a bit vague about it). Is that the kind of benefit? I don't need to find out gender.

All thoughts welcome!

I had a 3/4d scan at 30+6. It was specifically because I had a mid tri loss last year and as a result am feeling somewhat unconnected to this pregnancy; I thought it would help me feel more 'bonded'.

The technology is amazing. But ultimately I was probably more upset it didn't have the desired effect (ie, I'm still in a degree of denial this baby is arriving in a few weeks - I haven't done a single thing to prepare for him!).

There are a few actual medical reasons to have later scans but the nhs will identify if and when that needs to happen - usually. Private 'welfare' scans are really just another chance to have a look at the baby dressed up in emporors clothes - there's not really anything 'welfare' to them, you're having one just because you want to and can afford it!

This doesn't answer your question, but I have an nhs growth scan at 34 weeks this time (at uclh London). Is 20 weeks definitely your last scan?

I had a scan at a similar time during my last pregnancy (I was part of a research project) but I didn't find it that revealing. By then baby was so big you only saw bits of it at a time. Might be different at a 'proper' private scan though, and 3d would be fun I reckon.

I had a 3D scan with both DC1 and DC2, had them both done at 28 weeks. It is definitely an experience I would recommend. I was amazed at how clear the scan were, and how much they actually looked like my babies once they were born. I will do the same again this pregnancy too, I loved it. They aren't cheap, but if you can afford it, then go for it

I've got another scan scheduled for 28 weeks

sorry mean NHS scan

I am booked to have an NHS scan at 36 weeks for low placenta and growth (due to my BMI). But I am moving at 32 weeks and concerned they may not get that in. In addition my NHS 20 week scan was a bit crap, the sonographer was gruff, didn't really tell us what she was seeing, and was vague about the gender.
So I am having a private scan, to check how the placenta is doing, check baby's growth, gender, and to have an unrushed scan with a sonographer who is there to help us understand how our baby is doing, rather than getting the boxes ticked and the next one in.
I am having a 2D growth scan with Babybond (was recommended by a friend) , not a 4D, as it felt a bit invasive to watch the baby in that kind of detail, like there are some places we aren't really meant to look. I will wait and see his face when he is born.

I have had a third trimester scan with both my pregnancies at the Fetal Medical Centre in London -first pg I had it at 34 weeks, this pg at 36 weeks (will be 40 weeks on Tuesday).

It is classed as a wellbeing scan - basically all the measurements that are taken at the anomoly scan are re-taken, the placenta/umbilical cord is checked, the level of amniotic fluid is checked and you get a full report and pics.

It is a little strange as you get to see bits of the baby at a time, but never all in one shot due to the size. We decided to go for the scans not just to see the baby, but to check on their health and wellbeing and to make sure that nothing had been missed at the anomoly scan.

This is allreally helpful. Thanks!

Crochet and faintpink yes, I think it is the last scan... I think they told me that we only normally get two. When did you find out you we having a 28 week plus scan? It would be rather great to know they are still keeping an eye on it....

I will be paying for a private scan near the birth time, to find out the approx size of the baby. This is because it will affect my decision about how to give birth.

My first baby was tiny (5lbs) but I was booked in for an elective CS. But if I had known she was that small I would have gone for a vaginal delivery.

So this time round I will have a scan and if it looks like I have a 10lb whopper in there I will have a CS, but if it is tiny I will go natural.

Am another one going for a private scan - probably about 32 weeks if I can hold out that long without one! I am currently 27 weeks and every day feel like thinking - sod it I will book one now when I have a panic about movements or growth. I mean I worry how the hell they know everything is ok in there just by measuring the bump?! But they do seem to.

I've had several miscarriages in the past (no children as yet) all before 12 weeks. I too was scanned at the Fetal Medicine Centre (FMC) at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks (all ok) and they say come back for a 'wellbeing scan' at 32 weeks. I think the wellbeing scan is around £150 and I would say definitely worth it jut for peace of mind, although as someone previously mentioned how long that peace of mind lasts is another thing. The FMC scans so far have been great though - they really take their time, are extremely thorough and very lovely and you also get photos/ a DVD to take home.