Is there such a thing as too many scans?

[BingerGiscuit]

I had a private scan a couple of days ago and am looking to have another private one done in a couple of weeks to get an update photo so we can tell my parents, I’ll be around 9 weeks at that point. My parents aren’t together and they live far apart so it seems like a good opportunity. Financially I can afford the scans, but just wondering if it’s risky or too many?

I don’t think so, I am incredibly high risk and have already had 4 scans at 12 weeks. I have another one next week and will then be scanned every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, then every 2 weeks until baby arrives. I’ve never asked if there’s a risk but I doubt the nhs would put me at extra risk?

I think medically the risk is negligible if at all but I think getting into the habit of having reassurance scans every few weeks isn't necessarily great for your mental health unless you intend to keep having them

Medically I don’t think there’s any evidence of too many scans being harmful and having two seems reasonable but I don’t think it’s too helpful to keep having them if it’s for reassurance as they only provide a snapshot of how things are at that moment and it’s important to learn how to manage the anxiety that comes with pregnancy and having a child. Also you might be able to afford it but just think about what you could use that money for when you have the baby.

Hi OP, no as far as I am aware there is no hard evidence of risk whatsoever. I'm high risk and was scanned 4 times before my 12 week scan and from now (16 weeks) will be scanned every 2 weeks by my consultant and risk of scanning or 'over scanning' has never been mentioned. So I'd say there's no need to worry & enjoy the experience of seeing your little one more regularly☺️

There's no evidence of risk after several studies. One did find a weak association with left handedness.

We had a lot of scans during pregnancy due to concerns and our daughter seems just perfect. However, this time I have decided to be more judicious and hopefully all being well will only have two (had 12 week and 20 week is due soon) to err on the side of caution.

If not having the scans will make you anxious, that may be more of a risk than any unproven ultrasound risk, so in that case I'd have them. I'd also not hesitate if there was a medical need.

I had scans at 9 11 13 20 25 28 31 33 35 and 37 weeks for my daughter. She's fine 😂

I had one at 6, one at 8, one at 10 just for reassurance privately and then the NHS one at 13 weeks. Now my consultant wants me to have additional scans at the end at 32 weeks, 36 and 39 to check on growth and health as I'm 42... I've heard there is no risk. It's actually nice to see your baby and it certainly calmed my nerves in early pregnancy which was important.

Thank you everyone :)

The only reason for the second scan so soon after the first was purely for the new photo for the parents... and obviously a smidge of reassurance (having had a MC in January!) I think I’d be able to have one more then no more until the NHS ones. And whilst I can afford the next one, I don’t think I can afford to keep having them 😂😂

I think if there was risk, they wouldn’t do so many scans for high risk pregnancies (I have on every fortnight)

Medically there's no evidence to suggest an issue; I read a study a while back saying that the recommended number of scans for a 'normal' pregnancy is about four, but there's just not the budget or resources for that on the NHS.

Mental-health-wise, some people find having extra scans help them cope whilst others can come to rely on them and find their mental health is worse between scans. Personally (I suffer with stress – not full blown anxiety but on the radar), we paid for a private 'viability' scan at 6 weeks, then just had the standard 12-week and 20-week scans as normal.

Yes there are such a thing as too many scans. There is national guidance of the safe use of ultrasound.

www.bmus.org/static/uploads/resources/BMUS-Safety-Guidelines-2009-revision-FINAL-Nov-2009.pdf

As sonography is not a registered profession anyone can buy an ultrasound machine and perform a scan. The people who do this
Have no training or qualifications no understanding of ultrasound physics. There is a reason it takes 5 years to train to be a Sonographer. If your going to a private place for a Scan make sure the Sonographer has completed a post grad, many nhs Sonographers work in private clinics and are qualified.

Also ultrasound is a real time examination and is only as good as the moment your scanned - mentally too many scans can cause terrible anxiety and stress.

Obviously it’s your pregnancy so ultimately need to do what you want too but be sensible - and ultrasound won’t save a pregnancy at any gestation and sometimes gives false reassurance.

The main finding is that there is no evidence that ultrasound increases the risk of mortality or cancer to the developing foetus or newborn baby. However, there are some unconfirmed reports that ultrasound could affect the developing nervous system, potentially affecting what would be the child’s natural handedness (whether they are right or left handed).
Compared to diagnostic scans that provide a basic image and opportunity for measurements of the baby’s growth and development, souvenir scans produce detailed 3D facial images or recordings of the baby’s movement in the womb and require prolonged and more intense ultrasound exposure.

That came from the nhs advice. I wouldn't risk a scan unless it was necessary.

Women with Ivf pregnancies and some high risk pregnancies are often scanned far more regularly than is normal with the NHS. I really don't think they'd be happy to expose these most vulnerable women to the extra scans if there was any proven risk.

Also, a lot of other countries offer additional scans to the nhs standard 12 and 20 weeks scans and many have a lower MC/stillbirth rate than the UK.

I had 4 additional scans around 6, 8, 17 and 31 weeks.

I believe the UK has fewer routine scans that elsewhere.

Thanks everyone. Some conflicting answers so a tad confused but I do think I agree with @sel2223 that if there were risks they wouldn’t do more scans on women at risk!