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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 scan or not

16 replies

Plumsmith · 21/06/2018 12:39

Hi, I’m 8 weeks today, and have my booking appointment next Thursday when I’ll just be 9 weeks. I really want to go for an early scan as I have had barely any symptoms at all, but I am terrified incase anything is wrong. We’ve told my in laws and my parents and grandparents, but I feel partially like a fraud as I don’t ‘feel’ pregnant at all. Although I know that the scan doesn’t decide my fate I’m just really concerned about miscarriage.

What are others experiences of private scans? Waiting until 12 weeks seems so long! I don’t have a scan date yet so it might even be later!

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OliveOrTwist · 21/06/2018 12:42

I had a private scan at exactly 8 weeks for the same reason as you. It was totally worth it imo and I'll do it again for any future pregnancys. Seeing the heartbeat made it all sink it that I was really pregnant.

guccihandbag · 21/06/2018 12:43

Hi, congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm not sure about private scans but just wanted to add that I didn't have any symptoms either other than feeling tired. I never experienced any morning sickness or even nausea so try not to worry. Good luck x

GrumbleBumble · 21/06/2018 12:53

First "symptom" of my pregnancy (other than missed periods) was indigestion in the last few months. The only other indication I was pregnant was filling the baby move and getting fat! It is possible to be pregnant and everything be fine without sickness, soreness etc. Are you someone who would be happy once you had had a scan or are you the anxious type who a few days last would be thinking " just because we know it was OK two days ago doesn't mean its OK now - something could have happened" and you will be thinking of having another scan? If you can afford a scan and you think seeing a heart beat will make it real then it may be worth it but if you are a natural worrier it could only put you at ease for a few days. Good luck and be thankful that you are not throwing up every day!

GrumbleBumble · 21/06/2018 12:54

feeling not filling!

1Wanda1 · 21/06/2018 13:05

Plenty of women are symptomless in pregnancy and it isn't something to worry about per se. That said, if you are worried then the waiting to find out is awful.

I had a private scan at 6 weeks after a brief period of bleeding at 5 weeks. I felt relieved to see the heartbeat. I figured that good news would make me feel better and if it was bad news, I'd rather know sooner.

MarthasGinYard · 21/06/2018 13:06

Yes have a private scan I had quite a few of them. Reassuring in the early days.

Original poster

Plumsmith · 21/06/2018 13:09

Thank you all so much for your speedy replies! I think I will speak to DH about it tonight, money is fairly tight currently but I really think it would put my mind at rest, At least for a few days anyway!!

I’m going to see the doctor for an asthma check tonight do you think it will be worth mentioning to him to see if he’ll refer me for a NHS one? I know it’s a long shot!

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Ebeneser · 21/06/2018 13:13

I went privately, but this was at 10 weeks to get the NIPT because of my age.
I also had no typical symptoms in my first trimester either (although I had light brown spotting about 6 or 8 weeks in). I'm sure you'll be fine, but if you feel it will put your mind at rest and you can afford it, then why not.

NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking · 21/06/2018 13:14

I don’t think you should go for an NHS one, not in the present climate of cost cutting.. to me it seems quite unethical.

But a private one... yes, if you want one. I can get one for £50 here, so they don’t have to be super expensive..

Ebeneser · 21/06/2018 13:16

I’m going to see the doctor for an asthma check tonight do you think it will be worth mentioning to him to see if he’ll refer me for a NHS one? I know it’s a long shot!

If you're seeing the doctor then maybe ask if he can check the babys heartbeat with a doppler? Baby's heart starts beating around 6 weeks, although how easy it is to pick up with a doppler that early I don't know.

Wuffleflump · 21/06/2018 15:17

I wouldn't, and didn't. At this early stage there's nothing anyone can do if things aren't fine: the information doesn't change anything, except you know earlier. Or you could go for a scan, be reassured, and miscarry the following week anyway. If money is tight, I'd personally rather save it for things that will actually help the baby later.

TroubledLichen · 21/06/2018 15:28

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Personally I wouldn’t and didn’t have an early scan. I had DD privately so cost wasn’t an issue and whilst the consultant insisted on third trimester scan as standard, he advised against an early scan. His reasoning was pretty much what Wuffle has said; if something’s going to go wrong, it’s going to go wrong and having a scan at 8 weeks is no guarantee that everything will still be ok at 12 weeks. I especially wouldn’t do it if money is tight, there will be lots of baby things to buy so save for that.

FairfaxAikman · 21/06/2018 15:32

I barely had any pregnancy symptoms for the full term. The result is currently sleeping in his bouncy chair.

I didn't have an early scan as my reasoning is it won't change the outcome of a pregnancy.

Mousefunky · 21/06/2018 15:40

Not having symptoms can be very normal, it’s when they suddenly disappear in the first trimester that it’s considered more concerning (but that can be normal too.)

I had a private scan with my last pregnancy at 6 weeks and whilst everything was fine at that time, the heart still stopped three weeks later. I couldn’t personally have coped receiving the bad news I did later on receive in the atmosphere of the private scan. Babies were all over the walls, healthy pregnant women were sitting outside and there’s a flatscreen directly in front of the bed showing you what’s going on. When I discovered I had had missed miscarriages, I couldn’t look. It’s not the correct atmosphere to receive bad news and the staff aren’t prepared to give that. Furthermore, you then have to be referred to your local EPAU to confirm the loss.

I would honestly wait for the NHS dating scan unless you start to bleed or have pain.

butlerswharf · 21/06/2018 15:42

I personally wouldn't. Seeing all looks ok on a scan at this stage can give false reassurance as the chance of miscarriage before 12 weeks is still relatively high.

hoping2018 · 21/06/2018 17:02

I had a scan this week but organised by my ivf clinic - they scan as standard in the 7th week to make sure there's a heart beat and it's in the right place. Seeing a good heart beat doesn't rule you out of future problems but apparently heart beat at 8 weeks means 98% chance of
Pregnancy continuing and at 10 weeks it's 99.6%!

I've decided to pay for a private scan at 10 weeks too - but to be honest the cost is s drop in the ocean compared to ivf. If money's tight and it's s straight forward pregnancy with no previous problems and you're young I'm not sure I would.

Oh and gp will say not on nhs! Pointless asking

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