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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 - yay or nay?

24 replies

Emerald89 · 01/04/2020 17:31

I've noticed quite a few mums on here get early scans at places like Window to the Womb. I've heard variable things about these places, like if there is a problem identified e.g. no heartbeat the staff don't deal with it well and they don't have a means of referring you onwards to get abnormalities looked at. That said, there is the potential for reassurance and getting an early look.

What are peoples opinions on this? I'm in two minds - there is a Window to the Womb

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sarahc336 · 01/04/2020 17:44

I think I'd be worried at Th e min about having an extra scan and Coronavirus, are these companies still running? As they are obviously optional scans not essential ones x

Original poster

Emerald89 · 01/04/2020 17:53

Yes they are, this is a concern of mine also. They justify it saying they are providing a medical service.
I'm only 4/40 at present so it would be 3-4 weeks before I'd be able to have it anyway.

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Delbelleber · 01/04/2020 17:53

Coronavirus aside.... I took comfort in my early scan. But the worry never truly goes away. Even after the NHS scans there is still a niggle of worry burning away.

sarahc336 · 01/04/2020 17:55

I guess if they're still up and running and you feel it would help then I know a lot of women do find them reassuring but please wait until your likely to see something on the scan, 8 weeks or later as you wouldn't want to go and then not find a heart beat etc even if everything was fine as you'd be even more anxious then

MadameJosephine · 01/04/2020 18:03

These companies should not be operating at the moment. They try to justify themselves by claiming the scans are ‘medical’ but they are not essential and they are encouraging vulnerable women to travel unnecessarily. They are profiting from women’s anxiety and should be ashamed of themselves. I tried telling window to the womb that on their Facebook page but they deleted my comment and blocked me

Original poster

Emerald89 · 01/04/2020 18:30

@MadameJosephine it’s dodgy isn’t it. I’d only book one if by some miracle the travel restrictions etc were relaxed sufficiently by govt as I do think they are doing a Sports Direct here calling it an essential service when it isn’t really. As I said I have 3-4 weeks to go anyway til I’d see anything. TBH I think we’ll still be in lockdown then :(

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Woofwoofwooof · 01/04/2020 18:38

I had one and I would do so again (current madness aside) but assuming all is well it does just reassure you for that moment. I was back to worrying a few days later.

I had mine at 7 weeks so there was something to see if that makes sense, I didn't want to go to early and get into 'come back in a week' territory.

DesiDiva2020 · 01/04/2020 18:50

I'm so pleased I had one. I actually had one at 6+3 and then 9 weeks. Then my NHS 12 week scan. I had zero symptoms. Literally no symptoms whatsoever and I couldn't have waited 12 weeks

Tink2007 · 01/04/2020 19:10

I just had one with Window to the Womb (my 20 week scan is next week) as my husband is not allow to attend the NHS one in the current climate.

Ours was on Saturday.

It was a lovely scan - very relaxed and puts your mind at ease. They performed an overview of the checks - nothing as detailed at the NHS which they do tell you but they do check for abnormalities. We also learned the gender of our baby which was nice.

MadameJosephine · 01/04/2020 20:21

@Emerald89 I know lots of people who work for private firms, myself included, who have refused to work during the lockdown because we feel so strongly about obeying the rules. There’s a reason why the NHS is not allowing partners, it’s not just for fun. 563 people died today! We should not be encouraging rule breaking for social scans

Original poster

Emerald89 · 01/04/2020 21:04

@MadameJosephine as I’ve said several times, I’m talking about potentially doing something in the future, at least a month away. I’m a doctor, I understand infection control. I feel like you’re lecturing me, I don’t need it, I agree with you.

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MadameJosephine · 01/04/2020 21:22

I didn’t mean that as a personal dig at you. I apologise if that’s how it’s come across. My colleagues and I are in the midst of trying to persuade companies to close and it’s extremely frustrating, sorry it if felt like I was taking it out on you

MadameJosephine · 01/04/2020 21:23

I actually was agreeing with your comment ‘it’s dodgy isn’t it’

Itsnoteasyfeelingqueasy · 01/04/2020 23:09

I had one at 7 weeks and 10 weeks. I found them really reassuring and helped me really believe I was pregnant which I found very hard to accept. There was no way I could have waited 12 weeks.

Original poster

Emerald89 · 02/04/2020 15:16

@MadameJospehine sorry for being clippy, I just really don't want people to think I am one of those who don't take social distancing seriously, my husband and I were socially distancing since before the government advised it and I've not been out the house in days. I probably need to get out for my mandated daily walk, going stir crazy!!

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Littlebb2020 · 02/04/2020 15:27

They are still running but only doing certain scans they’ve stopped gender and 4d imaging ones. They say scans are essential and I do agree with them. I’ve got mine booked for Sunday and I’m only allowed my partner to come with me. I had one at window to the womb at 6 weeks and they were great x

SparkyBlue · 02/04/2020 15:33

I've had them done on all my three pregnancies as I miscarried previously so it gave me great reassurance that all was well. Obviously right now with everything going on I don't think I'd have one done. Actually on my third pregnancy I was so sick I didn't really need a scan for reassurance but I was having the Harmony test done so I needed a scan before it went ahead to be 100% sure of dates. The clinic I went to was excellent with highly qualified staff and they do scans for all sorts of things not just pregnancy scans and wasn't part of a chain.

MissSparkles81 · 02/04/2020 15:42

I had one with my previous pregnancy that ended in mc and I am glad that I did as I have the scan picture to keep and remember. I was in 2 munds whether to book one again with this pregnancy but my anxiety is sky high so have booked one for 2 weeks time where I will be 8+6.
I completely understand that its not for everyone but for me and my mental health right now its the right choice.

justkeeprunning5 · 02/04/2020 16:18

I had one just before the lock down began. They were so careful with us - remain in the car until called so only cane into contact with scanner and her helper. Wash hands on entering. Left our belongings in the car. Minimum scan time - just a quick check that all is ok and get out of there.

latheritup · 02/04/2020 16:28

I had an early scan at 7 weeks to reassure me baby was growing ok (and confirm it was just the one!) and it got me through to our 12 week scan.

Lunafloves · 02/04/2020 16:34

I had an early scan with Window to the Womb and they were fab. I'm going again in a couple of weeks. I think they are right to stay open - some branches are supporting the NHS 😊

PinkJam · 02/04/2020 17:19

Agree with @Lunafloves That they should stay open. A lot of pregnant women suffer from anxiety and a private scan would reassure them. And in such an uncertain time I wouldn’t begrudge anyone that. And yes some private clinics are doing some NHS scans on their behalf.

FirstTimeBumps · 02/04/2020 17:34

I had an early scan this time due to still BFing #1 so wasn't sure how far along I was with periods not returning. I went to Ultrasound Direct and they were amazing. During my last pregnancy I went to Window to the Womb. They failed to let me know the baby was breech. They actually marked off on the form breech and then scribbled it out and marked off the other option. Give them their dues the managing director did a big internal investigation and they changed some policies because of it however I still question why they did it in the first place. Spent 30+ hours in early labour, aiming for a home water birth that was never going to happen when it could have all been avoided. Would never go to them again.

kittykat7210 · 02/04/2020 17:44

I had them instead of using valuable NHS resources when I needed reassurance. I’ve had growth scans privately with both my kids because even though my bumps are small the midwife somehow measures them well above 90th percentile (there’s always air between my bump and the tape measure 🙄) they don’t scan for massive babies where I live, it’s only if the lines not following the graph or the bumps too small. So I pay for my own growth scans because otherwise I’d be claiming anxiety in order to get scans which I don’t like to do (I do have anxiety, I just hate people who abuse the NHS and try my absolute hardest not to be one of those people)

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