Partners allowed in private scans?

[Slinkerbell]

Hi everyone,

Like many who are expecting at the minute I've just heard that they won't be allowing partners at NHS scans. Whilst I totally understand the decision, I'm absolutely gutted & DP definitely more so. I burst into tears when the midwife told me. Corona really is doing a massive 💩 on everyone's lives this year.

I was wondering whether anyone had found any private companies in London still willing to allow both DP and I to attend?

Is this something you need for health reasons and you want someone there for moral support?

I went to the birth company for a private scan and they allowed my husband in. I'd call to double check as this was 3 weeks ago

They may do but is it worth the risk? Having to be in close contact to another person just so he can attend a scan. I'm a HCP and if I was pregnant I'd me minimising contact with others as much as absolutely possible.

@slinkerbell
Window to womb still allow partners to attend. My husband and I have decided that we'll be doing private scan along with the nhs as it's our journey together. I don't feel it's right to exclude someone in such a precious and vulnerable time. We need all the support we can get.

I understand that they say the midwives/sonographer s/doctors have lots of experience however it is not the same as having your partner/family member/friend with you to help you in an emotional and psychological level.

I believe window to womb are nationwide you'll just have to go on their website, to see which is closes to you.

@NerrSnerr
I can't see that the risk is really that much more than I experience anyway, and soon it's looking like I'll have to return to work & find new work simply because we cannot afford to sustain ourselves in isolation. It is something we want to do together and for us, it is worth the risk.

@Lozziiee8993 thanks! I have given a few different WTTW sites a call and it seems they have recently decided to change their policy and are no longer allowing it.

@slinkerbell that's a shame I went to wttb last Saturday. I went to the Milton Keynes one. Have you tried them?

I'm having a Window To The Womb scan tomorrow and have asked if partners are still allowed and they said yes! X

@slinkerbell that's a shame I went to wttb last Saturday. I went to the Milton Keynes one. Have you tried them? It might be a distance from you.

@slinkerbell

and for us, it is worth the risk

It's not just about the risk to you though, is it? It's the risk to the sonographer. They are already putting the,selves at risk by being so near to you. That risk is doubling by having your partner in with you.

@soontobe60

If you’re living in the same house though it’s not really doubling the risk. DH and I share a flat. If he brewing the virus so am I - besides, the sonographer doesn’t need to be anywhere near DH.

I’m not an idiot and I went to my 20 week scan alone - I was gutted for DH and I was terrified of receiving bad news alone but I did it. If it was the 12 week though I do think I’d have tried to book a private scan with DH before if I could have done.

There’s been so, so much written in the past few years about the importance of creating a pre-birth bond between father and baby, and as someone who struggled with conceiving I was very anxious before that first scan. DH and I have been observing the rules diligently and I would be confident his presence wouldn’t increase the risk to the sonographer - we share a bed after all

With guidelines and stuff changing all the time I'd say check with wherever you're having the scan what the current rules are on having another person with you, don't rely on the website for example in case they haven't updated it. Whatever rules are in place are there to keep everyone safe, and anything could affect it e.g. there have been times people have turned up to maternity wards/ gp surgerys/ scan places with corona symptoms and it's caused a domino reaction within that place.

There’s a place near me that allows partners in- my advice would be to google “private baby scan near me”. And then phone up each of them individually that are in a drivable distance from you, and find out what their current policy is this week as I guess it will keep on changing!

I’ve booked a scan in a private clinic and my husband is allowed. We’ve both been self isolating for 5 weeks and have to fill out the forms at home before attending. It’s not a government rule that they can’t attend so call a few to see if they’re ok with it.

We will both wear masks and gloves for the protection of ourselves and others

Some do but is it really worth the risk? You’ll be exposed to the receptionist, the sonographer and potentially droplets from any other patient who might have coughed in there, touched door handles etc. just before you came in, not to mention the journey to and from the clinic.