Scans

[Sometimesbrunette]

i have decided to have some extra private scans, for various reasons really, because I lost a baby at 10 weeks, because i get very anxious and this helps me keep calm, because my friend had a 27 week private scan and it was only then that they noticed her placenta was not working properly and her baby was born by EMCS and finally, because I can afford it.

However, in my area, you don't get your 12 week scan until you are around 15 weeks. Its terrible. When i announced and my auntie asked if i had my scan already, my dad told her i had it done privately. She said 'She must have more money than sense!'. WTF??!! How judgmental?

What proportion of you have additional scans outside of the NHS ones?

I didn't have a private scan (just couldn't at the time) but my first NHS one was bang on 12 weeks.

It nearly bloody killed me to wait 12 weeks so if I had to wait 15 I'd definitely want a private scan!!

I ended up with an extra NHS one at 33 weeks due to reduced movement. Thankfully all was well so it ended up being a little bonus getting to see baby again.

At the end of the day it's each to their own - your money, your baby so you can do what you like!

It's your body and your pregnancy. Do whatever you want to and tell everyone else to keep their noses out.

I've had 5 scans in this pregnancy so far - 6 weeks as standard to see if there is a heartbeat by my IVF clinic, 7 and 8 weeks at the NHS EPU due to bleeding, 10 and 12 weeks at the Fetal Medical Centre as part of their Harmony test package. I will be going back to the FMC for the 20 week scan as they have state of the art equipment and great expertise. So out of 6 scans (barring any required later on), only 2 will be NHS.

I've had recurrent miscarriages and now I am 9 weeks. I am very panicky about this pregnancy. I had a scan last week on the NHS due to cramps. My best friend asked me
If I now feel better. I explained not yet as all my
MCs were missed and I know id feel better after 12 weeks but at the moment still very anxious. I told her that if my 12 week scan is dated for more around the 14th week I will book a private one as the stress and anxiety is not worth the wait.

She said the exact same thing. I must have money to waste. I was hurt by this comment. It is nothing to do with her how I spend my money and this is more than worth it from where I stand. I have not spoken to her about my pregnancy since. I feel as though that comment was unsupportive.

You do what you know will make you feel more at ease, if you can afford it then waiting is not worth the stress, it is no one else's business - only you know how you feel.

Good luck with this pregnancy OP hope all
Goes well

Id love to have a private scan but we cant afford it, ignore what anyone else says and do what feels right for you.

My first scan date was for when I would be 15wks 2days but I had read that the nuchal part of the scan can only be done before 14 weeks, I had to kick up a fuss and get my midwife to call the hospital and get it changed so I will now be 14wks 2days

I would just ignore your PIL - completely up to you and your DH!

I had two scans privately - at 9 weeks as I had had some spotting so felt like I was going to lose my mind if I did not get one before the 12 weeks. I had also been scanned at EPU at just over 6 weeks but as the spotting did not stop, I just could not relax. It helped momentarily but I still worried like never before until we had our 12 week scan. Then at our 12 week scan baby was in awkward position and they were unable to obtain NT measurement. We were so close to Christmas holidays that we were going to run out of time to get it re-booked on NHS so they only offered the 16 week bloods as alternative. We decided to go privately to get the NT measurement and bloods done to ensure we had results before christmas.

I am now nearly 26 weeks and have had another 3 scans on NHS - 2 for my 20 weeks scan. On the first one baby would not move in the right position to look at its legs so had to go back a couple of weeks later. And I got sent to a growth scan from my 25 week midwife appointment as my bump was measuring significantly smaller than it should. All absolutely fine with the baby though!

Let's see how many more I end up having before this little one makes an appearance!

I've opted for a private scan this time round after my last, 5 years ago, was picked up during the scan at 13 weeks with Down Syndrome. After genetic counselling and further tests she was diagnosed hydropic and guaranteed to die, either during pregnancy or post. Either way she wasn't going to live and so we decided to end the pregnancy. Being so far gone I had to give birth to her and it was pretty traumatic....so we've opted for the NIFTY test this time round so decisions and further testing if necessary can be done sooner and any decisions made earlier. The chap who scanned me in Cardiff is a pioneer in fetal medicine and immediately reassured me that the baby was perfectly health. We're awaiting the DNA results of the bloods once back from HK but I feel a million times better...and a whole lot happier with his reassurance. The midwives in Cornwall hadn't even heard of the NIFTY test and despite my obvious upset during my booking and my history didn't offer any early scans. Very very glad I opted for the NIFTY, a cloud has been lifted since.

So they don't do nuchal scans in your area?!

We had a private scan at 8 weeks for reassurance, even though it's our first pregnancy I've seen my sister and other family members go through recurrent miscarriages and couldn't stop worrying.

Since then I've had four scans with the NHS. Nuchal, anatomy, growth, and a scan to check the placenta and cord when I was feeling reduced movements. I do think you can get all the scans you need on the NHS, it's just the early reassurance they won't give you unless you bleed or have a history of mc. Or, if you wanted one of those 3D scans, I guess.

wispaxmas it's only the 12 and 20 week scans that the NHS do here unless you have an early problem or bleed so it's easy to see why people feel the need to pay for private scans

Wisps xmas the NHS only normally do 12 and 20
Week scans unless there is a problem

I know that's all that's standard, but that's fine. If there's nothing wrong you don't need other scans. If there's a problem with the placenta your baby will have reduced movements, and if that's the case, they will give you a scan to check the cord and placenta.

If you measure large they will give you growth scans. If they suspect your baby is breech they will scan to check position.

If they don't see everything perfectly at the 20 wk anatomy scan they will rescan you 3 weeks later like they did with me.

They will scan you as much as you really need to.

Yes wispa and standard scans in my
First pregnancy were fine. But after 3 missed miscarriages my anxiety is extremely high it is an awful feeling,
I have panic attacks and see a psychologist to try and get through this. It is scary. For people who have experienced similar they may feel the two scans aren't enough and cannot cope with the lengths in-between the scans. It is up
To them in that position if they want to pay for extra scans.

Yes they do offer the combined screening on the NHS in Cornwall.....but with scan and bloods (between 11-14 weeks) giving 85% accurate results with 1:30 false positives compared to the NIFTY at 10+weeks with 99% accuracy on Down, Edward (not tested NHS) and Patau (not tested on NHS) and 1:1000 false positives it's well worth it for early peace of mind/detection.

I had a private scan at 8 weeks due to 2 previous mcs and it really helped put our minds at ease and are now almost 38weeks! I say go for it if it puts ur mind at ease and stops u worrying, was the best thing we did and wouldnt hesitate again! Ignore all the horrid comments its ur choice and sanity!

I never said anyone shouldn't have private scans, just that the NHS will give scans that are really necessary except for reassurance. I did say I had a private reassurance scan at 8 weeks myself.

Loubi Edwards and Patau definitely are tested for on the NHS - at least in most places as far as I can see. Did your midwife tell you they don't? You might want to ri g and check!

...did you ask for NIFTY or HARMONY (that's the name most MWs are familiar with)? My midwife actually mentioned/suggested HARMONY during my booking in (I would have to pay but she knew where to get it)- it's shocking how it varies place-to-place! You'd think the NHS would have some standard countrywide.

Had a private scan at 9 weeks as Christmas was 10 weeks and really didn't want to tell family until we'd had a scan.

Judging from reaction from NHS HCPs (not negative, just always a bit surprised) it's not that common (I keep having to refer back to private scan results as it picked up ovarian cysts, hence it keeps coming up).

squizita Edwards COULD be detected at the 12 weeks NHS scan if there was an increased nuchal translucency, but not confirmed without an amnio/cvs

I considered getting one done when I was having a MMC, but decided against it because of the cost (can afford it but felt the money was better suited to something practical). It didn't stop the MC from happening sadly. I found out at the NHS scan when I had bleeding at seven weeks.

Same with Patau, COULD be detected/suspected at 12 week screening or later at the 18-20 week Fetal Anomaly scan.....with amnio/CVS offered if suspected.

I had to have lots of extra scans (NHS) because Baby1 had pyoestasis (sp?). At first I dreaded them then I affronted mock cheerfulness and boredom. Each and every one was an effort to find non-existent problems (baby was born fine & continues so).

I hate extra scans. The less the better in my book. Too much opportunity for false reassurance, too.

my local nhs trust don't offer nt testing at the 12 week scan, although apparently they will be starting to this year. so I paid for a private nt scan at roughly 13 weeks as I didn't want to wait until 15 or 16 weeks for chromosome blood testing. the private scan gave me huge peace of mind and was absolutely worth it.

Definately, FoxHugs. If i could see my baby's heart beating every day I would!!

The anxiety is real, and I think mothers are terrified of telling someone. I was so scared for this pregnancy that I thought they'd see me as unfit.

When it got too bad, I knew i needed to get some professional help and you're right no one made me feel like i was losing my mind or a bad person, they refferred me for support and were understanding.

Could anyone say how much a private scan is? Im nearing ten weeks and had a mmc last year. Im booking in tomorrow and dont expect to get a scan date til late April but I would like.reassurance earlier.

im North East if anyone can suggest best.places to go.