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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Whether to have an early scan?

28 replies

HumanBeing89 · 27/04/2020 19:37

Hello,

I'm 5/6 weeks pregnant with my first (still doesn't feel real yet). I got a letter through for the NHS dating scan to take place at 12-13 weeks. I was wondering whether to have one earlier privately and any advise would be very gratefully received. At how many weeks if good? Approx cost in UK? Company recommendations etc. TIA x

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rosieposies · 27/04/2020 19:40

I had one at 8/9 weeks just because I couldn't get my head around it. It was lovely.

Tbh I can't remember how much it cost, and I used a small local place, but I've heard Bubbaview are good if you've got one near you.

RyanStartedTheFire · 27/04/2020 19:42

Congratulations OP. I have one booked for mid May when I'll be 9 weeks. I'd always advise to wait until after 7 weeks just in case your dates are off and obviously the longer you wait the more you see. At 8/9 weeks it looks more baby and less blob in a sac. I'm paying £45 for mine.

Whiffle77 · 27/04/2020 19:45

Completely personal choice as to whether you have one or not, but echo pp - wait until 8 or 9 weeks as it can be hard to find a heartbeat/ see anything before that! So you will just make yourself more anxious.
Also most places are shut at the minute due to covid, so you will need to have a google near you. I went to window to the womb yesterday and it was £59. I had a good experience there.

MrsVParker · 27/04/2020 19:55

I wasn’t sure of my dates so I was sent for an early scan. I was extremely anxious but they did find a heart beat at 6+3 and it was amazing I couldn’t recommend it enough. I’ve booked one for this week so my husband can come as partners can’t attend any NHS appointments. I’ll be 7+3. I’m just very anxious something is wrong and I have no idea why. I guess it’s when you really want something.

Elouera · 27/04/2020 20:09

Congrats! I had a viability scan last week at the EPU, but that was due to previous early losses and current high risk pregnancy. It was reassuring to see a heart beat and confirm its in the uterus!

I agree, wait till at least 8 weeks or longer if possible. I was 7 weeks, but dated a week earlier. It was a fuzzy blob. I could see the heartbeat flickering away, but I couldn't even make it out as a foetus!

I've been looking up NIPT, and noticed some places do a viability scan. Majority say from at least 7 weeks, but some aren't re-opening till may. One place is £70, but that's in London. Just google places in your area. Best of luck x

CrazyCatLady2788 · 27/04/2020 20:20

I had one last week at 8 weeks at Window to the Womb. I loved it!! Window to the Womb were lovely and it gave me reassurance that things were going well so far! You could make out the head and body and see it's little heartbeat 😊 Also my husband could come which isn't guaranteed for my 12 week scan 👎🏻 So I was glad he could be involved. X

Maxamill · 27/04/2020 20:26

I had an early scan at window to the womb and it really put my mind at ease for a whole knowing it was a viable pregnancy but I was still nervous at subsequent NHS scans I think that's just normal 🙈

I was really happy with window to the womb though and booked again at 16 weeks for a gender scan!

Lily501 · 27/04/2020 21:27

Sorry if this is a silly question, but were these scans transvaginal (?) or a normal ultrasound? I'm 8 weeks tomorrow and wanted to book one for this week but heard ultrasounds aren't clear enough this early on, so was looking at the other 'internal' option - is that right?

GaaaaarlicBread · 27/04/2020 21:39

@lily501 I had a private scan at 8 weeks (But I was 7 weeks 4 days) and it wasn’t an internal one . They said if you have more weight on your tummy they can’t always get a clear picture so do it internally but mine was abdominal (But I didn’t have any meat on my stomach at that point though!) and it was a perfect image .

GaaaaarlicBread · 27/04/2020 21:40

OP I do recommend a private scan as the wait seems forever to the nhs one ! I was very pleased with mine. It was like a little sea horse at the time and then I had another one at 10 weeks and I couldn’t believe how much like a baby it looked by then !

lovelyjubbly12 · 27/04/2020 21:44

I had a scan at eight weeks. It was done on the tummy I just had to have a full bladder for a clearer picture. I'll attach a photo of what you can expect the baby to look like. Personally I loved seeing the changes between 8 weeks to 12 weeks they grow SO fast. I had another at 16 weeks and then my 20 weeks and it's just amazing!

Lily501 · 27/04/2020 21:55

Ok, thank you, clearer now...

Lovely pic @lovelyjubbly12 - you've got me excited!

Elouera · 27/04/2020 22:11

My viability scan this week, at 7 weeks was only internal. Not sure if that's because it was an NHS viability scan, or maybe over 8 weeks they the outside pelvis rather than internal?

Original poster

HumanBeing89 · 27/04/2020 23:01

Thanks so much for your posts! I think I'm going to book one for 9 weeks and want an abdominal one (not transvaginal). I'm almost too scared to book it in case something happens. Will wait another week or two and see. Thank you and good luck with your pregnancies x

OP posts:

sel2223 · 27/04/2020 23:29

Good decision to wait until 9 weeks as dates can be out which can cause a lot of unnecessary worry in early pregnancy.

I had my first scan when I should have been 7+5 according to LMP but baby only measured 6+1 and was just a teeny tiny blob. Fortunately there was a heartbeat but if I'd gone even a day or 2 earlier I may not have been so lucky.

I then had a follow up where I was dated 8+2 (9+5 by LMP) and this was much better. Although still tiny, there was a lot more to see than there had been just 2 weeks earlier and they were able to perform an abdominal scan instead of a transvaginal one.

It's pretty common for our little beans to measure small in early pregnancy as it's literally the difference of mm's so I wouldn't recommend getting a scan too early for that reason. By the time my dating scan came around, baby had caught up by a week and I'm now 24+4.

MichelleOR84 · 28/04/2020 10:50

In London it costs £50-£80 with Window to Womb depending on location .

I did an early pregnancy scan ( twice ) in Covid-19, which obviously isn’t ideal. I was suffering bad anxiety though and needed one for my mental health . The benefits outweighed the negatives for me .

Most places suggest waiting until at least 7 weeks before a scan. The longer you wait the more it looks like a real baby which is so cool ! If you can wait until 8 or 9 weeks that’s even better .

I had one at 7 weeks to confirm a heartbeat and again at 10 weeks and baby looked like a baby at that point , kicking and waving . I legit cried with relief .

My nhs scan isn’t until I’m 13+6 weeks pregnant. I’m currently 11+3 and patiently waiting !!!

Whiffle77 · 28/04/2020 16:40

Just to note @HumanBeing89 that window to the womb state that they will only do TV scans up to 10 weeks, I have had similar at NHS as well so you will likely still have a TV scan at 9 weeks. To be honest you see far more that way too so although it's not fun its quick and its worth it!

Original poster

HumanBeing89 · 28/04/2020 18:46

Okay, thanks for the advice! Also, can someone explain the #+# format for me please? Isn't it just say 9 weeks etc? TIA x

OP posts:

Whiffle77 · 28/04/2020 18:50

First number is weeks, second is days. So I turned 8 weeks last Friday, which makes me 8+4

Popcat120 · 28/04/2020 19:10

Hi, I just found out. I'm 4 weeks.
I had a private scan at 8 weeks with my DS, think I paid something silly like 90 quid! But it was worth it.
I'm Tempted to book in for this baby, I'll go at 8 weeks I think. Looked up my local, it's 79 pound. Think I'll book it next week though, plenty time to book for me, only early on!

Original poster

HumanBeing89 · 28/04/2020 19:28

Thank you @Whiffle77!

OP posts:

rooarsome · 28/04/2020 19:30

I went to WttW last week and received very good service. Current guidelines are to have an internal scan if below 10 weeks but they gave me the option to try abdominal first.

2007Millie · 28/04/2020 20:56

All depends on your finances...

The 3D ones further on in your pregnancy, are IMO, worth the money more than the early ones.

But if you can afford to do both, go ahead

Hannah58 · 03/05/2020 20:34

Just curious to know if you were allowed to take your partner in with you? I’ve got one booked for tomorrow and they’ve just said he can come but he’ll have to wait in the waiting room 😔

Original poster

HumanBeing89 · 03/05/2020 23:03

@Hannah58, the post above from CrazyCatLady2788 says she went in April and her Husband went with. Is it too late to try a different company? @CrazyCatLady2788, I assume he could go in and see the scan with you? I'd feel heartbroken if my hubby couldn't come in for the private one at least. Either way, hope it goes well and enjoy it x

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