Advice on private scan please

[Bizzle123]

Hi ladies,

I'm 9 weeks and we've just found out DH will be away for at least a month from week 11 and will therefore almost certainly miss the dating scan (haven't received appointment yet). We're therefore considering going private and booking one in at about week 10 so he can be there. I'm not sure how the system works, can anyone advise on the following:

• do I have to let my midwife know or get a referral from her?
• will I still have a 12 week nhs scan as well and is there any point repeating the screening processes etc?
• if I want all the screening done at the private scan will I have to do separate blood tests or can they use the ones done at my booking in apt?

Thanks in advance

Imo the 12 week scan is quite boring, the 20 week one where you can see something which actually looks like a baby is much better. If I was going to have an extra scan I would do it later on in pregnancy when you will be able to see more.

Hallo Bizzle,

• No, you don't need to let your ME know, or get a referral, just ring up and book.
• Yes, you will still have the NHS scan if you want it. Some of the screening has to be done within a certain period (ie nuchal measurements), so you may not be able to get it done early privately. If you do get full screening done privately you should have a shorter dating scan on the NHS, and the notes from your private screening will be added to your file.
• they will probably draw their own blood at the private clinic.

If you're 9 weeks now, it might be worth checking out the Harmony test package at the Fetal Medicine Centre?

Thanks Snozzberry. He will actually also be away at 20 weeks (he's in the military) and he really wants to be at the first one, which I understand. Plus, I know it's unlikely, but if there's any bad news being the first scan, I'd want him there with me.

I can't answer your last question but you don't need a referral and ime they'll just do a reassurance scan rather then the full set of tests. I've had a few private scans and essentially the NHS treat it as a complimentary thing - they'd check all the results themselves (and occasionally they are very suspicious of private results).

Can't you just book a cheapy babybond scan? you could have that at any time now.

Thanks Sian, that's helpful. I think the Harmony is too expensive for us (about £4/500 I believe?) but a private scan is about £100 which is just about manageable.

I had an early scan at 8+5 (paranoia plus having no idea of dates!). Just googled places nearby that offered private scans (I used ultrasound direct), went along and paid the money! Didn't have any screening done as it was too early, it was just a peek at the baby. Didn't impact any NHS scans, I don't recall even ever telling the midwife id had it.
Good luck!

Given your reasons id factor in having a private scan sometime after 16 weeks as well because a lot of the bad news stuff is only possible to identify at the anomaly scan. Will he be around at all at that time?

If for the first private scan you and he just want to check the baby is there, you could skip the blood tests and have these on the nhs along with the full nuchal scan (save a bit if money but doesn't give you 100% piece of mind from scan that everything is perfect). Some nhs trusts are also trialling using the harmony instead of their usual tests so again have a think about how much information you want to know from the first scan and what you can get on the nhs before you pay out all your money.

Good luck and I hope you have a smooth pregnancy if your DH is away for most of it xx

Oh and with regard the blood tests, the ones at booking in aren't the same as the one you'll have as part of the nuchal so the private clinic won't look at them (and similarly if you get private bloods done with the scan the nhs will repeat them-as someone else said, they don't often trust private services so will do everything themselves).

I had a 'Just Gender' scan from babybond - was £39 (18 weeks?)

Just checked - they do a 'First date' scan for £39 between weeks 12-15 or a 'Reassurance scan' between weeks 12-18 for £59

Thank you all for your replies - they're really helpful. I think I need to look more into wants on offer but it sounds like we just need something fairly basic and can then leave the screening etc to the nhs.

Yes you will definitely still want the NHS screening - the nuchal measurements (if I remember correctly) can only be done from something like 11+3 to 13+ something. The baby will be too small for that at 10 weeks, though at 10 weeks if all is ok you will see the baby and heartbeat which will be reassuring :)

For £100 they will probably just show you the baby, no screening or anything, so you'll still have the full NHS screening and nuchal scan. There's really no way to get the screening done and results received before 11 weeks no matter what, so I agree that sounds like the best value just to check things out and let DH see the baby. I could see a lot of detail at my 10 week scan, so it's definitely not a total waste. :)

I have had private scans - they are fine for reassurance and as you say if your DP wants to see baby if he is away for the NHS dating scan. They will usually give you a report which you can put in your notes and if there is anything of concern you could pass this on to midwife.
But I would keep all screening etc to the NHS, it may be very complicated otherwise.
If you have a private scan at 10 weeks ish you'll likely have more time to enjoy looking at baby than you would do at NHS scan.