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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

London Ultrasound Centre or Fetal Medicine Centre Scan

20 replies

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 13:33

Hi everyone, just wondering if anybody has had experience of private scans at the London Ultrasound Centre or Fetal Medicine Centre?
I've had a lot of bleeding in the last few days, had 12 week scan yesterday and thankfully baby is fine but it's such a long wait til 20 week scan so wondering whether to book a private reassurance scan in January.
If anyone has experience of private scans at these centres I would be grateful for your views & advice on what to expect. Thanks

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Mnippy · 17/12/2013 14:42

I went to the FMC for 8 wk scan, and had a great experience. It was very fast. The staff are supposed to have a lot of NHS / academic experience and the fee goes to research.

delphi13 · 17/12/2013 14:52

Went to the FMC for a Harmony test. Excellent experience. Only advice would be to book for early in the morning as sometimes there can be delays. Would definitely go back there if I needed another private scan.

quackojuliet · 17/12/2013 14:56

I went to london ultrasound centre for a 4d fun scan at 30 weeks. As it was a groupon deal it was a bit conveyor belt service and the sonographer not as helpful at explaining things as the nhs ones I've had.
I'd go with recommendations above and avoid london ultrasound centre!

Original poster

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 15:10

Thanks for the comments everyone, I look in to the Fetal Medical Centre some more

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jaykay987 · 17/12/2013 15:29

another recommendation for fmc. I had reassurance scan and harmony test and a ten week scan. I go back for my nuchal next week.

the reason they can run behind is because they go out of their way (in my experience) to look at everything properly and to explain everything thoroughly.

good luck!
ps I was a bit put off by their website as it's fairly bare - but the reception are very informative if you call/email them with questions.

Original poster

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 16:19

I had my nuchal (12 weeks) yesterday so just looking for a growth/reassurance scan at maybe 16 weeks is this something they do at FMC do you know? I'm booked in for usual 20 week anomaly scan in early Feb but would like something between now and then just to check everything is ok.

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Smithy007 · 17/12/2013 16:21

I guess I'm the only one with positive comments about the London Ultrasound Centre!

I've been there, the atmosphere was pleasant. I was called for my appointment on time and the sonographer was very nice - she took her time and explained things to me. I left quite a bit happier, no bad words to say about them really, I'm actually planning on going back again.

Notawordfromtheladybird · 17/12/2013 16:36

I had two there. The 12 week was with Professor Kypros Nicolaides, who is THE man (and leading specialist, researcher, etc.) There is always a wait with him because if things are found during the scan (and as he usually takes all the complicated cases, often he ends up performing an invasive test at the same appointment), he doesn't rush the patient. He's incredibly calming and you do feel like you're his only appointment that day.

I also had the wellbeing scan (which was done by the guy pictured on the website, I think). That one was much more laid back and those appointments are punctual. The centre is in Harley street, filled with beautiful art/sculptures, and has a comfortable waiting area. The wellbeing scan was also very thorough.

minipie · 17/12/2013 16:37

The FMC has a top level reputation for diagnostic scans, i.e. checking for any signs of abnormality at an early stage. If that's what you want then I would whole heartedly recommend them (they were very thorough with me).

However they don't do 3D/4D scans or much in the way of pictures so if it's more that you want then try somewhere less medical.

Sounds like it's the former you want though.

minipie · 17/12/2013 16:41

Sorry, to answer your question, yes they will do a scan at 16 weeks for reassurance.

Pooka · 17/12/2013 16:41

I had nuchal at FMC with my third child.

Was fab. Lovely staff.

Had follow up questionnaire about 6months after due date for medical research. I like the fact that they're closely related to kings/Harris/research.

wantmyboobsback · 17/12/2013 16:46

I've been to both.
I would choose the FMC every time, they are professional and very thorough.
I didn't have a great experience at LUC, they 'missed' putting my weight into their system, so for 24hrs we were confronted with a high risk pregnancy, they didn't even apologise for the mix up.

Original poster

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 17:15

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my questions and got giving detailed info, that's really helpful and much appreciated

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Original poster

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 17:18

That doesn't sound good wantmyboobsback the general consensus points towards FMC so I think I'll look in to booking there. Thanks

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Mabelandrose · 17/12/2013 17:46

Another vote for FMC. Sadly I had bad news, but they really were wonderful. And the technology is on another level compared to the nhs's prehistoric ultrasound machines. The time they took to diagnose the mmc meant I never had to doubt their diagnosis - very helpful for the healing process. I will go back next if I have an ongoing pregnancy.

Original poster

AlwaysDancing1234 · 17/12/2013 18:31

I'm sorry to hear of your loss mabelandrose but it is good to know they are thorough whatever the outcome. Sending you hugs

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loulou223 · 07/06/2015 19:46

Has anyone on here had a paternity test done at the London ultrasound centre ? How much was it? If anyone knows please let me know x

ltsgb · 16/06/2018 21:01

I went there for the package (including viability scan, harmony test and nuchal scan). The viability scan experience was positive. When I did Nuchal scan, Dr G Leipold couldn't get the scan done initially because of the position of the baby. We understand baby's position can affect the nuchal scan. However, we didn't like it because he tapped my tummy using ultrasound probe without telling us in advance. When asked, he said he was trying to get the baby moving. I am not sure if it hurts my little baby. We thought that was a horrible way of getting my baby moving. Apart from that, our experiences for the harmony test and viability scan were fine.

ltsgb · 16/06/2018 21:02

I went to the fetal medicine centre for the package (including viability scan, harmony test and nuchal scan). The viability scan experience was positive. When I did Nuchal scan, Dr G Leipold couldn't get the scan done initially because of the position of the baby. We understand baby's position can affect the nuchal scan. However, we didn't like it because he tapped my tummy using ultrasound probe without telling us in advance. When asked, he said he was trying to get the baby moving. I am not sure if it hurts my little baby. We thought that was a horrible way of getting my baby moving. Apart from that, our experiences for the harmony test and viability scan were fine.

ltsgb · 16/06/2018 21:32

I went to the fetal medicine centre for the package (including viability scan, harmony test and nuchal scan). The viability scan experience was positive. When I did Nuchal scan, Dr G Leipold couldn't get the scan done initially because of the position of the baby. We understand baby's position can affect the nuchal scan. However, we didn't like it because he tapped my tummy using ultrasound probe without telling us in advance. When asked, he said he was trying to get the baby moving. I am not sure if it hurts my little baby. We thought that was a horrible way of getting my baby moving. It proves ineffective too as those tapping couldn't get the baby to move. Apart from that, our experiences for the harmony test and viability scan were fine.

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