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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Has anyone stuck to the 2 NHS (12 and 20 weeks) scans only?

93 replies

moomin35 · 18/01/2014 17:25

I am a first time mum to be and it seems to me like everyone pays for extra scans (4d etc) over and above the 2 free NHS ones. Although I would love any chance of another scan they seem a lot of money to pay. What did you all do and do you think I'm mad not to pay for more?

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radiatormesh · 18/01/2014 17:52

Oh and in the US I had a growth scan at 32wks (ish). Turned out to be totally inaccurate (they predicted a 7lb 2oz ish baby - DS was 8lb 5oz...) so I wouldn't worry about getting one of them either...

CointreauVersial · 18/01/2014 17:53

No, never paid for extra scans for any of my three. Why would you?

If there was a medical concern (as I had with DD1) they refer you for additional scans, but otherwise there doesn't seem to be much point.

WidowWadman · 18/01/2014 17:56

I've never paid for extra scans, but only had NHS scans. With first child I had only 12 week and 20 week scan. With second child I had one at 8 weeks because of a bleed, thankfully everything ok. I then had a kidney infection at 30 weeks, which meant first one scan "to check how she lies in case you go into labour" (thankfully I didn't). I also had a couple of renal scans after that, and the sonographer always sneaked a peak at my baby in, I didn't even ask for it, but it seems they like looking at babies more than looking at kidneys...

I don't like the 4D scans and think the images look a bit creepy. It was nice seeing my babies at the standard scans and liked the reassurance that they were ok, but think they should rather be a diagnostic than an entertainment tool.

SlightlyDampWellies · 18/01/2014 17:59

I have never paid for extra scans. A friend of mine did, and made me feel a little inadequate, like if she loved her baby more, but actually it is not necessary and there were plenty of follow-up opportunities for me to feel inadequate based on what I was or was not spending on them!

Don't worry about it really.

(I have kept all my pg tests, even though they have long-faded. ) :)

lljkk · 18/01/2014 18:00

Not me. Most the people I talk to wouldn't or couldn't spend their money on extra scans.

I had to have extra scans with DS1 and it was very stressful. More opportunities for false alarms. No thanks!!

Pascha · 18/01/2014 18:00

Just the nhs scans for me, though I did consider a 4d one at 28 weeks. I never did bother in the end.

Starballbunny · 18/01/2014 18:09

Yes and I only got the earlier one because my MW let me stay registered in my GPS county until 13 weeks, then swapped to the county I live ins MWs for the homebirth rules.

The county I live in was only doing 20 week scans, no dating ones.

Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal · 18/01/2014 18:13

I am currently 15 weeks pregnant…and I have had 3 scans so far.
(Pregnant via IVF after a long time TTC)
1st scan was done by the IVF clinic at 7.6 weeks to see if the pregnancy was viable. (I would have paid for one around this time if it wasn't included as part of the IVF as there's no way I could wait 12 weeks to know everything was ok)
We paid for a private scan at 11.4 for reassurance (£60) as I am very nervous about this pregnancy and also to get pictures to show family as we were telling them over christmas and wouldn't have had NHS 12 week by that point.
Then had standard NHS one at 12 weeks. However that was not very detailed, rushed, pictures were crap and didn't feel very reassured from that so I was so glad we had opted for the private one where we saw the baby in more detail, a lot more was explained and we got some lovely pictures.
I may book another private scan, depending when my 20 week one comes through and when I start feeling movements/kicking which will reassure me.
I am looking forward to the 20 week one the most to find out if everything looks healthy and as it should!

I'm not interested in the 4d ones though or having one to find out the sex, I just want to know that the baby looks happy and healthy

Pooka · 18/01/2014 18:13

No - had the two scans as standard with all three of mine.

greentshirt · 18/01/2014 18:21

I had a couple on as my friend is a scanning midwife so I just snuck on at the end of her scan list. Dont think I would have done otherwise. She did a sexing scan for me too. I had additional nhs scans at 15 and 21 weeks (internal) to check cervical length and had a quick look at baby then.

We are going to have a HD live scan in a week or so, they look quite a bit different to the 4d ones I think. I dont judge those having them or not having them, personal choice.

BEEwitched · 18/01/2014 18:26

I've paid for two extra private scans, the 12-week nuchal as I didn't get that on the NHS where I live (only had a very brief 'yep, pregnancy is viable' scan at 8 weeks during my booking) and a scan to find out the gender, again because you can't find out at your 20 week scan.

rachyconks · 18/01/2014 18:34

I stuck to the two first time,didn't see the news for any more to be honest. This time I'm being forced to go at 32 weeks, 36 weeks and term as my BMI is a little higher and have to be on consultant led care. I really think it's unnecessary as I'm low risk and have no underlying issues.

Cariad007 · 18/01/2014 18:37

I had the usual 12 and 20 week scans as well as a growth scan at 29 weeks to check if baby was growing properly (he was) and will probably have another one in the coming weeks as he's been transverse for a while, sigh.

intheround · 18/01/2014 18:39

Gosh! in Scotland here and I was only ever offered one scan at 12 weeks . This was about 10 years ago . Uncomplicated pregnancies .

MoominIsGoingToBeAMumWaitWHAT · 18/01/2014 18:42

I had to have a re-scan of my 20 week scan just to check the heart, and I'm having a growth scan at 32 weeks to check on baby. All NHS though, not paying for any private ones.

eurochick · 18/01/2014 18:50

I don't know anyone who has had 3d/4d scans, but I do know quite a few people who have had viability scans in the first tri (the vast majority of my friends have had mcs or fertility treatment).

I'm only 8 weeks, but I've already had 3 scans. One at 6 weeks by my IVF clinic as standard, and then two at 7 and 8 weeks at the EPU due to pains and bleeding. I would prefer not to have needed the last two!

PenguinsDontEatKale · 18/01/2014 20:26

Never had any extras later on - except the one that was part of amniocentesis. Had a private 8 week scan with first two but not this time.

EeyoreIsh · 18/01/2014 20:46

I've just stuck to the nhs ones, but this included two extra (8 week viability and 37 week growth/doppler) scans.

bellsandbutterflies · 18/01/2014 20:55

I had quite a lot of scans in all three pregnancies, but only ever what was medically indicated. We considered a gender scan in the last pregnancy, but didn't in the end.

LastOneDancing · 18/01/2014 20:58

Just the two scans here too.

We don't know the sex either, it's a little mystery baby. Can't wait for the 'big reveal'!

Cariad007 · 18/01/2014 20:58

If anyone needs a recommendation for North London then let me know.

Cariad007 · 18/01/2014 20:59

Sorry, posted that last comment on the wrong thread!

Kittymalinky · 18/01/2014 21:01

I planned to stick to the 2 NHS ones at 12 and 20 weeks.

As it was I needed an additional NHS scan at 34 weeks. The quality wasn't as good as the 20 week scan, jut couldn't see as much, although that not what it was meant for so it didn't matter really.

I only know a few people that paid for extra scans. Personally I'd spend the money on something g else nice for the baby when it arrives, or some yummy meals for when you come home, or a cleaner for a few weeks after birth.

trixymalixy · 18/01/2014 21:04

Hah, in my area they only offered a 12 week scan on the NHS. I had to pay to get a 20 week anomaly scan. Bloody postcode lottery!

joanofarchitrave · 18/01/2014 21:05

Only the NHS ones. There were a couple of articles around at the time raising questions about whether scans were entirely a good thing, so I was happy tbh not to have any more. That seems to have died away, so it was probably just a scare.

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