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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 scans

17 replies

BlueberryLane · 06/10/2020 15:27

Hello. I’ll be 7 weeks pregnant on Thursday. I’m just after some advice. I booked a private scan for this Sunday, as at the time we couldn’t have partners at the 12 weeks scan and I was getting some sharp pains on one side which meant a trip to A&E. Since I booked it, partners have been allowed at the 12 weeks scan, and the pains have disappeared, so I was going to cancel it.

I know a midwife who says she wouldn’t advise going to a private scan before the NHS one, as you’d have to be referred if there was anything wrong, which might cause a lot of worry. (Basically you’re in better hands with the NHS)

Those of you who have been to these scans ahead of your 12 week one, would you recommend them? I don’t have any concerning issues. Should I go to it if things seem to be going okay?

This is my first pregnancy.

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Pickypolly · 06/10/2020 15:33

All my early NHS scans have been due to bleeding.
Confirmation of miscarriage.

The other times for reassurance due to multiple miscarriages.
If there’s nothing wrong, no problems why not wait.
By all means of you can afford a private scan go ahead.

Original poster

BlueberryLane · 06/10/2020 15:39

Sorry to hear about your miscarriages @Pickypolly. I appreciate your advice. I may cancel my appointment and wait for 12 week one.

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Sanch1 · 06/10/2020 15:39

I'd recommend it, i've had a scan at 6 weeks with all 3 of mine and found it greatly reassuring. Its a long wait to 12 weeks when you dont see or feel anything! As long as you're sure of your dates you should see a little bean and a heartbeat at 7 weeks.

H8624 · 06/10/2020 15:42

I had one at 8/9 weeks. Can't remember exactly when!

First pregnancy and I was just worried something was wrong. Felt so relieved when I had the private one and it helped me relax more until the 12 week one.

Also my partner couldn't go to the nhs one as this was earlier on in lockdown so was nice for us to first see the baby together.

But i personally am glad I had it and would do the same again. If you can afford it why not? If you're stretched for money perhaps wait!

Original poster

BlueberryLane · 06/10/2020 15:57

Thank you everyone. I’d lose a £30 deposit If I was to cancel it now, so it seems I should probably go. Your stories are reassuring :)

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coffeecow · 06/10/2020 16:03

I had one at 9 weeks as I was worried my husband wouldn't be allowed to the NHS one. I loved it and had a great experience, she confirmed everything was where it should be and we got the heat the heartbeat. Also had confirmation there was only one in there!

My NHS one isn't for another two weeks (I will be 13 weeks then) and (for me) it feels like such a long time with no reassurance.

RosieGirl27 · 06/10/2020 16:10

I had one the week before last. My son and my partner were both allowed in with me and it was a lovely experience as my trust isn’t allowing partners atm and I found out when I was literally 3 weeks gone so it’s a bit of a wait until my 12 week scan.

fancyfrogs · 06/10/2020 16:13

I had one at 7 weeks, no concerns as such but was a very anxious FTM with virtually no symptoms. We saw a tiny little jellybean with a flickering heartbeat and I found it so reassuring and allowed me to relax slightly

Poppyismyfavourite · 06/10/2020 16:19

I had one at 11ish weeks but that was because they weren't letting partners come to scans at my hospital, and I didn't want to go alone, potentially find out bad news alone, then have to come home and tell DH...

passthemustard · 06/10/2020 16:26

I look at it as if there is something wrong it would be better to deal with earlier rather than later and all being well you'll get to see a lovely little heartbeat which will make you happy.

Sadly not all pregnancies end in babies and pregnancy is riddled with anxiety. Do whatever you can to reassure yourself.

I've had scans at 7 weeks and 17 weeks privately just to reassure myself and my partner as well as the 12 and 20 week nhs scans. I've now been referred for monthly growth scans at 28 weeks so the anxiety doesn't stop once you get to 20 weeks.

A few years ago I had a perfect 12 week scan then went for a sexing scan at 17 weeks to find I'd had a missed miscarriage, it was bloody horrible but I'm glad I didn't get to my 20 week scan thinking everything was fine when it wasn't.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 06/10/2020 16:27

I had one just over a week ago at 8 weeks for reassurance. I’ve had 2 miscarriages before and had had some spotting (which I also had in my healthy pregnancy) that then stopped so didn’t quite fit criteria for an NHS scan.
The stress of the wait was aggravating other medical conditions so I decided to go with the private appointment. Baby had a heartbeat and had no implantation issues so the chances of a miscarriage have decreased considerably, now just waiting for our 12 week NHS scan.
Even if the news were not good I would rather have rather know sooner and been to the NHS for treatment than continue the pregnancy not knowing if it were viable or not.
It’s personal choice, but great if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford it.

user1493413286 · 06/10/2020 16:28

I’m not sure I follow how it’d cause worry as if there’s a problem then where ever you’ve had it then you’ll feel worried. I had a private scan before my official 12 week one because my DH couldn’t come to my one at the hospital and it was quite a different experience to the nhs one in a good way; we got a video of the baby (at an extra cost), they had more time to show us everything and they spent time purposefully getting good photos which is not something you’d expect of the nhs ones obviously.

Original poster

BlueberryLane · 06/10/2020 16:44

I think she was more of the thinking that, if there was something wrong at these private scans, you would simply get referred to the NHS. They don’t really have a duty of care? She wasn’t being judgemental, as she too has had a private scan. Perhaps she’s just a bigger advocate for the NHS.

Either way, from the above messages, I’ve decided to keep the appointment :)

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DollyParton2 · 06/10/2020 16:49

I don’t think you can have enough scans personally! Pregnancy is amazing but so anxiety inducing, to ease the stress of the long waits in between NHS scans I had several private scans, including early scans with both my DC. If you do your research there are clinics that don’t charge extortionate rates too.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 06/10/2020 17:58

But surely being referred back to the NHS for timely treatment is better than not knowing anything is wrong, or weeks of worry and finding out at the 12 weeks?
Sorry, I’m not being rude. I genuinely don’t get the logic in that

Sansa87 · 06/10/2020 18:00

I’ve had two at the EPU, & a private scan. The EPU was due to pain and bleeding, & the private was so oh could see the heartbeat just incase we couldn’t get him to 12 week one.

It was such an amazing experience, and the quality of the scan was much better, understandably as they make so much money so can afford it.

You would need to be referred, but you’d obviously need to see someone of you were further on anyway.

Do what makes you happy, but it was definitely the best £80 I ever spent.

Flittingaboutagain · 06/10/2020 18:04

Private scans too early can cause all sorts of grief. Just read the pregnancy boards OP. 2 weeks of stressing about why they couldn't find a pole, or the HB was slow etc. Some then go back 2 weeks later to be told there is no embryo at all others the foetus hasn't progressed. It won't necessarily be a happy affirming or reassuring appointment for everyone. It depends whether you are someone who likes the facts however sad or worrying and would not wait.

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