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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Early Private Scan

16 replies

thejustine · 10/09/2018 11:22

Has anyone been for an early scan privately? What was your experience and how far along were you? I booked one thinking 12 weeks was so far away now I'm worried I've wasted my money.

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mommybear1 · 10/09/2018 11:36

I had one as I was worried given previous miscarriages but I would strongly urge you to have it at at least 8 weeks or later if you can I was 8 weeks and they could find the heartbeat but had to have an internal scan as it was so early. They started off with the normal tummy scan and could detect anything I felt sick had to change to have the internal scan when they found my little one. It was very reassuring afterwards but that part when they couldn't detect him was horrid.

PickettBowtruckles · 10/09/2018 11:40

I had one at 7+4. It was abdominal scan and they found baby and a heartbeat fairy quickly and easily. Baby was measuring good for the dates and heartbeat was strong. I’m 24+5 now and am still pleased we did it. This is my first pregnancy and I was really anxious about baby growing well, we found out when I was about 3ish weeks pregnant and I really couldn’t wait until 12 weeks for a scan.

Had it been bad news I would’ve been totally gutted of course, but being positive helped me relax until the 12 week scan which was worth it to not be panicking for an additional 5 weeks!

Darkstar4855 · 10/09/2018 12:32

I had one at nine weeks and found it very reassuring as I knew the risk of miscarriage was lower after seeing everything was ok then.

Just be cautious that private ultrasound centres are not always the best place to receive bad news - think about who you take with you and be prepared that if the scan is inconclusive or shows a miscarriage then you would ususlly have to go back to your GP for an EPU referral for further care.

Hope all goes well for you.

Talith · 10/09/2018 12:38

I had them. 12 weeks is soooo long to wait! Just be aware before 7 or 8 weeks there might not be very much to see and they might have to use the internal wand scanner. I had early scans for all my pregnancies.

SoyDora · 10/09/2018 12:42

I had one in 2 pregnancies, both around 8 weeks. Abdominal scans, no issues seeing the baby. So they were great for us.
However if it was bad news I don’t think it would be a nice environment to find out in, really.

NorthernGirl1991 · 10/09/2018 12:42

I had one at 6+5 as I was feeling anxious. I was expecting an internal scan but an abdominal one was fine and they found the heartbeat straight away. It definitely put me at ease as I wasn’t feeling very pregnant! Got lots of pictures to take home too.
I know other people haven’t been able to find a heartbeat that early, but thought I’d share my experience.

LusaCole · 10/09/2018 12:49

I wouldn't have one personally, as I've heard several stories when a heartbeat couldn't be found, causing lots of distress, only to have a re-scan a week later and the baby was fine (just too early to find a heartbeat).

Also, there's a still a chance of miscarriage even if you've seen a healthy foetus at an early scan, so I would still feel worried. (Whereas the risk of miscarriage after 12 weeks is much lower.)

Talith · 10/09/2018 12:56

I miscarried at 12 weeks but was still glad I'd had an early scan because it was the only pic I had of the little one, it happened before my booking in scan. Obv everyone is different.

Original poster

thejustine · 10/09/2018 13:27

@PickettBowtruckles Thank you that's really reassuring, I will be 7+5 so about the same. Hopefully I have as positive an experience as you had :)

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Dimblebimble · 10/09/2018 14:33

How much does it cost fo a private scan?

Talith · 10/09/2018 15:11

It used to be around 65 quid here in the Midlands for a "reassurance" type scan, e.g. no consultation or other clinical stuff. I expect it's gone up a bit in ten years though!

affectionincoldclimate · 10/09/2018 15:13

8 weeks as you have higher chance of having a clear view.

It did me a world of good and was worth every penny as I had a missed miscarriage before and just wasn't willing to wait 12 weeks.

Lauren83 · 10/09/2018 15:13

I had 11 scans (4 NHS and 7 private) as I had a history of MMC and it was an IVF baby, I had the scans weekly at first starting from 6 weeks and it really got me through the early weeks. It gets addictive though!

Dimblebimble · 10/09/2018 15:13

Thanks I just googled and found one near me for 89. I might book one 👍🏻

Lauren83 · 10/09/2018 15:15

Also I highly recommend 'thisismy' if there's one near you, I would try to avoid the 'social' scanning places as in my experience you don't get a full report and they don't do full checks

AnnieBee2 · 10/09/2018 18:29

i found a deal on groupon and got an early scan (7+5) for £40 in north london. i am so glad i did this as i found i was having twins and was very happy to have a few extra weeks to absorb this info! They found both twins and both heartbeats very quickly with an abdominal ultrasound. Good luck with your scan @thejustine

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