Early pregnancy scan - Uk

[blackfriars]

Hi ladies,

Has anyone in the UK opted to pay privately for an early viability scan? I am tempted but also wary that a lot of these clinics don't have great reviews. I'd love to hear anyone's experiences of these scans, and if anyone could recommend one they'd had a good experience with in London?

TIA xx

I had one in my previous pregnancy, I was 7+5 and saw a little heartbeat and got pictures. It was nice to have the reassurance that it was going well. I’m 5 weeks now and booked to have one at 8 weeks with this pregnancy.

Thanks for your reply! Can I ask if the clinic was in London and if you'd recommend it?

We had a scare and EPU scan at 7 weeks. Then paid to have a private scan at 9 weeks. Highly recommend - worth every penny. Got some lovely photos and plenty of time to watch the screen. I’m in Somerset so can’t recommend a clinic xx

Yep. I did in first pregnancy but miscarried before I could have scan. I did again in 4th pregnancy and they found twins both with strong heartbeats but one was smaller than the other, so they rescanned me a couple of weeks later for free and sadly one of the twins had stopped growing. The staff were professional and kind. It was with baby bond.

@blackfriars I would highly recommend window to the womb! They have various offices around London and do some great clear scans + pics x

@blackfriars I’m in Hampshire and it was a small company in 2016 so I couldn’t tell you sorry.

We have had two private early scans. The 1st was 5w 6 days - which amazingly showed a blob with a heartbeat. Then another at 7w 5 days which showed a bigger blob with a stronger heartbeat. Both with the Birth Company on Harley Street in London. Can’t recommend enough. I’ve also had friends who have been scanned at the Fetal Medical Centre downstairs in the same building. They also had good experiences. I think it is still run by the head of Kings College Hospitals maternity unit. It’s not for profit with all proceeds being ploughed into research. For that alone we would consider going there next time.

We had one on Saturday. I was 7+3. Worth every penny just nice to know there is something in there!! Saw little bean the tiny heartbeat and the yolk sac. So reassuring. Was at window to the womb!

My local place was a HeyBaby, not sure if they have any down your way. I had a really good experience with them, we had an early reassurance scan at 7 weeks and after having a missed miscarriage earlier this year it really put so many of my anxieties to rest after seeing that little bean beating away. I would really recommend doing it if you can.

Mine was in my local mothercare with a company called Baby Bond
www.mothercare.com/babybond.html
It was £90 but it was worth it for the reassurance. I was 8 weeks in my first pregnancy and was going away with friends before my 12 week scan. I didn't want to get overexcited and announce anything to my friends without that.
I would recommend waiting until at least 8 weeks, as before that, it can be less reassuring and more worrying - but definitely recommend if it'll put your mind at ease.

I had one this time around 9 weeks as I was really unsure of my dates. They put me back nearly a week but it wasn’t too unexpected & she did say it’s no very accurate in the early weeks. Baby looked like a kidney bean with a heartbeat Cheered me right up as I’ve been really poorly in the first trimester! And my 12 week scan is at 13 weeks so I have an annoyingly longer wait!

I used a company local to me in Yorkshire but I do recommend them if it’ll give you some reassurance!

Thanks so much for your replies! We have booked in at the birth centre on Harley street as it's easy to get to. It seems to now be the same company/have merged with the other company mentioned downstairs as when you search for the latter you get the former!

I will be 8 weeks, fingers crossed all is ok.

Wishing everyone a healthy pregnancy x

Hi @blackfriars glad you’ve booked and good luck with your scan. We use the Birth Company but the website for Fetal Medical Centre is www.fetalmedicine.com/ and they’re not the same place in case anyone else reads or searches. Same building and both are great.