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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Private scans later on in pregnancy?

14 replies

anotherbitofcake · 09/08/2013 10:58

Did anyone have them? Have just been reading on the Count your Kicks website countthekicks.org.uk/mums/how-to-help-your-baby/ and the last para talks about private scans later than 20 weeks. Any experiences?

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Rockchick1984 · 09/08/2013 11:22

I never bothered last time and won't again this time unless I have any concerns. Ignoring the dating and anomaly purposes of the NHS scans for a moment, the main reassurance for me of the NHS scans is that its too early to be regularly feeling kicks so have no idea if baby is ok. Once you are feeling these, any change in frequency would be investigated.

CrispyFB · 09/08/2013 17:10

I've had a few for various reasons.

1 - "vanity" 3d/4d scan
2 - I had an emergency cerclage (stitch) placed at 18w in America (long story) and that doctor suggested weekly checks. When I got back to the UK the NHS was predictably not that keen on doing any checks at all, so I ended up paying out of pocket for private cervical length checks. If my cervix had got shorter, I'd have been even stricter with my bedrest.
3 - Growth scans due to low PAPP-A at first trimester screening, but that one was NHS.

Hopingforno2 · 10/08/2013 00:21

Im a type 1 diabetic so had scans evey 2-4 weeks from 27 weeks for growth with nhs but only private late one was 4d :)

DaleyBump · 10/08/2013 00:39

I had a 4d one at 23 weeks and am having another at 26 weeks because I was just that wee bit too early for it. Had a scan yesterday at 23+5 to check amniotic fluid and the wee man's growth because I had a period of reduced movement but all was fine. Not too sure what your question is, though :)

FeegleFion · 10/08/2013 02:19

We had a 4D scan at around 29 weeks with DS.

It was such an unbelievably moving experience and one in which my DD could be part of.

DP bought it from a voucher site and paid a fraction of the actual cost, however, we both agree it would have been worth every penny if it had been full price.

We paid extra on the day for a DVD and DS has a yawn and a stretch. It's a face that we recognise even now.

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone considering it.

lucybrad · 10/08/2013 14:33

last pregnancy I paid for a package of scans from 24 weeks to 36 weeks to check on blood flow and growth - as the NHS way of measuring bumps with tape measures is less than scientific. It was money wells spent for me as gave me additional reassurance that I had done all that was possible to monitor my babies growth. This time I am being scanned regularly by the consultant because of my [old] age. Again they are checking blood flow and growth. I would rather be proactive and have the best care I can afford.

Kelly1814 · 10/08/2013 20:19

I'm high risk and private and get scanned every 2 weeks or more often if any issues, or I request one. Am 31 weeks. They are amazing! Highlight of my pregnancy, and all are 4 d.

They are so clear and being able to see the baby, face, arms, all of it. It thrills me beyond belief and is so very reassuring.

xuntitledx · 10/08/2013 21:42

I opted for a 3D/4D scan at 30 weeks which is the latest recommended at this particular clinic.

Would highly recommend if you have the money spare.

The appointment lasted 45 minutes and it meant we could ask lots of questions which the sonographer was then able to show us on screen (as she was explaining). When the baby moved into a difficult position, we were sent for a walk so baby would turn again and we could carry on.

We got a DVD of the whole appointment which will be a fantastic momento plus 30 prints and a disk with an additional 70 pictures.

20 weeks is a long time to wait between last NHS scan and meeting baby (unless you have any irregularities that need further investigation) and the reassurance we got was well worth the money!

SimLondon · 10/08/2013 22:09

yes - midwife freaked us out by suggesting something didn't feel right and referred us - but we would have spent all of christmas worried, as it turns out the private sonographer picked up on an issue (low fluids) that was borderline but she wouldn't have been allowed to tell us about it had she been working for the nhs that day - on her advice we still went to the nhs scan and fluids had picked up a bit, she also told us that dd was measuring a week behind but was able to reassure us - i don't think the nhs sonographer would have been allowed to tell us that.

Original poster

anotherbitofcake · 11/08/2013 08:33

Great info - thanks. Was just curious really as had never considered it (as not offered and I appear to be progressing ok) but sounds lovely and also reassuring. Will have to investigate costs though. Xx

OP posts:

mamij · 11/08/2013 08:38

Had it with both DDs and don't regret it at all. Main reason was wanting the 4D scan - it was amazing to "see" our baby and was a truly touching moment. Also, I'm on the smaller size, so it was reassuring that DDs were growing well.

We asked the sonographer lots of questions, which they didn't mind answering and also got a copy of the report of size, measurements etc.

mamij · 11/08/2013 08:39

I forgot to add the scans were at 28 weeks.

chillisbopper · 11/08/2013 08:48

I agree with an earlier post, for me the 2 scans the NHS offer were more reassuring because I couldn't feel the little guy moving that early and I like to know he was okay and still in there. Now 24+2 and I've another scan on Wednesday because I'm getting regular growth scans (which were meant to be at 28 weeks so I'm a bit confused there lol) but I don't think I'd worry too much about going private if I wasn't getting the extra scans on the NHS because I have 6 love photos already and id rather spend my money on getting nice things for when he is born ...and as moving as it is seeing him to be honest the sonographer I've had for the last 2 times has put a lot of pressure on because he's been "laying funny" so I've found them uncomfortable at times x

FeegleFion · 11/08/2013 11:18

anotherbit check all of the voucher sites, that's where DP spotted the excellent deal that we purchased.

I'm in Manchester and at the clinic we attended, the 4D scan was priced at £120 and we paid £40. We paid an extra £20 on the day for the DVD of the scan and extra photos. The sonographer was lovely and actually gave us lots of extra photos free.

I know £120 is quite a sum of money for most people, and like the pp up-thread says, for a lot of people, that money is better spent on actual things that baby will need but I'd say for me, personally the money was well spent and I'd have thought exactly the same if we'd paid full price.

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