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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 early scan - is it worth it?

48 replies

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 10:01

DH has suggested we book an early private scan to put our minds at rest and clarify the dates.
I have read that a heartbeat detected on scan at 8 weeks means the pregnancy is 98% likely to continue so I would feel comfortable announcing the news if we have a scan and everything looks okay. We haven't even told our children about the pregnancy yet and we gave been several years TTC so we are very excited and very anxious.
The scan will cost £95, which I kind of think could be spent on something we will need for the baby (we got rid of all baby items many years ago).
Has anybody else had one and did they think it was worth the money?
Would I be mad to spend £95 on something which would be free four weeks later?

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Rikalaily · 18/02/2015 10:13

We had one this time as I had a Miscarriage in last June and a chemical pregnancy 2 weeks before I got pregnant again, we waited until 9 weeks. It didn't cost £95, it was £50 but even £95 would have been worth it, a little peace of mind is priceless

Teeste · 18/02/2015 10:23

It depends how anxious you are - I had one at 9 weeks costing roughly £100 as I'd had a mc with my first pregnancy and then had a bleed with this one. It was the best money I ever spent simply for the reassurance. It's a personal decision but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 10:30

Much more anxious than I was with previous pregnancies, mainly because it has taken over 4 years to conceive and has been a very long time since I was last pregnant (and I am older this time around).
I told people almost straight away with previous pregnancies but I won't even consider telling anybody until the 12 week scan this time (or 8 week scan if we decide to do one).
I'm not so anxious that I am tippy toeing about the place though (although I'm so tired that I am spending most of my time lying on the couch in between looking after and entertaining the children).
If it was £50 I would probably do it without thinking, but £95 seems a lot of money that I could spend on a crib or maternity clothes.
I think I need to stop thinking about the cost and think more about what I will gain from having an early scan (reassurance mainly).

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NutellaLawson · 18/02/2015 10:38

Of cost is an issue you could buy a foetal doppler (loads on eBay) to check for a heart beat.

A scan would be more reliable though and really, you won't miss that 95 pounds. It'll just be absorbed in to the whole general cost of having a baby.

ElleyBear13 · 18/02/2015 10:46

100% worth the money. We lost our first baby, and after voicing my concerns with the midwife (first time) and told not to worry it was first time pregnancy nerves I wish I had a private scan the first time something would of been picked up.

I'm now 13weeks with my second and we had a private early scan with this little one at 9 weeks. You could see her wiggle about on screen, and the heartbeat, I had my NHS Dating Scan on monday and everything was fine.

I needed that early scan as I was so so worried of a mmc, and it helped put my mind at ease that everything was okay. Also once you have seen a heartbeat at 8 weeks your chance of miscarriage drops to 2%. :)

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 10:49

Thanks everyone for the replies and useful advice.
I have found a clinic in my city that offers them for £50. It is only a 10 minute appointment at that clinic though. I am just trying to decide whether to pay £95 for the 20 min appointment or go for the £50 one. Both seem to be decent clinics in well known areas.

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anroga · 18/02/2015 10:57

Isithappening I am 7 weeks 3 days pregnant through first time ICSI and have my first early scan tomorrow for a heartbeat and to see if it is a multiple or not.

I am so worried about the result tomorrow as even though I have lots of pregnancy symptoms I am convinced there will not be anything there! Saying that I am so glad I am having an early scan at 7 weeks as I need to know as it is all I am thinking about.

We have had to pay over £6k for our treatment as my husband has kids from a previous marriage so we were not entitled to any treatment on the NHS and to top this off our scan will cost us an additional £150-00 tomorrow!

So that might make you feel a bit better about spending the £50-00! I say go for it, its peace of mind until the next scan x

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 11:00

Congrats Anroga. I hope it all goes perfectly for you and that you enjoy meeting your little bean. Your post did make me put things into perspective. I'm going to book it for around the 8 week mark.

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BigCatFace · 18/02/2015 11:09

Money will spent for us, Doppler, not so much, I'd not bother.

Only1scoop · 18/02/2015 11:12

I think it's a good idea and have always had private scans....

Wait til 7 or 8 weeks

OttersPocket · 18/02/2015 11:18

I had two private scans (one at 8 weeks and one at 11 weeks) due to previous mmcs and ttc for many years. They were both worth every penny. I have my NHS 12 (+4) scan this afternoon and although I'm nervous, I'm slightly less so than I would have been without the scans. I would go for the 10 minute scan. There's not all that much to see at 8/9 weeks but you will see the heartbeat and they will measure for dates. After about 5 mins the sonographer was trying to point out things we might be interested in but all I wanted to know was that things were medically as they should be and that didn't take long.

weeblueberry · 18/02/2015 11:20

I really wouldn't suggest a Doppler tbh-it's very difficult to get a heartbeat at the stage you're at and not finding one would cause you far more stress!

Rachach1981 · 18/02/2015 11:23

If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend it. Its lovely to see your little bean and makes you much more relaxed. That's got to be a good thing all round.

Exactly that same as otterspocket, we had one at 8 weeks and one at 11 at MUMS in Solihull. It was a great experience. We got a DVD to take away and show family.

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 11:28

Thank you.
I wouldn't buy a Doppler; even at full term during my previous pregnancies I couldn't really distinguish baby heartbeat from mine when the midwife was pointing it out. I would be useless with a Doppler.
Going to book the 10 min appointment as my DH works nearby to the clinic so we could go in his lunch hour without him needing to make excuses to get out of work.

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TheMidnightHour · 18/02/2015 11:38

I had a private scan at 8 weeks, paid about £85, and think it was worth every penny.

I think it depends what you're worrying about. I was worried that it might be an ectopic, and the scan obviously squashed that worry entirely! Risk of MC does also drop, but if you're a worrier you may find yourself worrying again.

Another point - I am now 12+2 and NHS scan date (never mind scan itself) has not turned up. The advice is '10-14 weeks' apparently so you could, possibly, get in early if you nagged but might also be waiting until the end of the slot, like me.

Choccyhobnob · 18/02/2015 12:22

Definitely worth it for us just for peace of mind. You only need 10 mins as like previous poster said there's not much for them to point out. I felt like I'd been in there ages but was only 10 mins and she had resorted to showing me my ovaries too lol. This is my little spud at 8+1. My 12 week scan is in 13 days (and counting!)

Choccyhobnob · 18/02/2015 12:24

Oh it says 9+2 because she put my lmp date in wrong (01 instead of 10!)

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 12:51

Ooh choccyhobnob that picture is amazingly clear. I am definitely going to get a scan at 8 weeks ish.

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Choccyhobnob · 18/02/2015 12:55

I did drink rather a lot of water (more than they said to ) so I think that may have helped!

Dildals · 18/02/2015 13:25

You can also just go to your local hospital that has an EPU and get a reassurance scan?

Dogsmom · 18/02/2015 13:33

Only you can decide if it's worth the money, it depends how much spending the money will affect other things.

I've had a private scan with both of mine but at 16 weeks to find out the sex, they were £70 and worth every penny, I did consider the early scan though but as it was a toss up between the two I did lots of loo roll checking instead until the 12 week scan!

I did feel a bit guilty spending the money on scans but it's been part of the excitement of the pregnancies and they've provided a dvd, photos of both 3d and 4d and a cd with extra images that I've put into their memory boxes for when they're older. I'm sure they'll love seeing them.

Christelle2207 · 18/02/2015 13:54

Definitely, did it twice first at 8 weeks second at 7 (was meant to be 8 but dates were out). I also saw that 98% statistic and it definitely helped me, especially as I know several people who've had MMCs detected at 12 weeks. Hold out till 8 weeks if you can as it was definitely a baby at this point (8+4) whereas for the scan i had for dc2 we just had a pulsating blob!! I paid about the same and the sonographer was really lovely and took time to get us good shots. She also worked p-t as sonographer for nhs so knew her stuff.
Am now 28 weeks and contemplating going back at 32ish weeks to check all is well- baby seems healthy and kicking away but would like someone qualified to take a proper look!

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 14:26

I did lots of loo roll checking instead until the 12 week scan!

Yes, I have been doing that for the past week.

dildals I think you can only do that if there is a suspected problem.

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Dildals · 18/02/2015 14:45

Not really, if you're really anxious you can just go and ask them to check it out.

I agree that it's morally preferable to keep the NHS services free for those with medical issues, but they won't send you away!

Original poster

Isithappening · 18/02/2015 15:03

It wouldn't feel right to do that dildals. I did have an early scan on NHS with my first child but that was due to bleeding and a UTI. I wouldn't do that just for reassurance.

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