DIY Scans at home

[mylittlebean2019]

I’ve just seen an ad come up for Babywatcher where you can do your own scans at home. Has anyone tried them and would recommend?

I hired one a couple of weeks ago when I was nearly 13 weeks gone. It was okay but not as clear as the ultrasound machines they use at the hospital.

Christ no, it's worrying enough when a trained professional performs them with certified, checked and calibrated machines and years of experience, let alone me trying to use a machine I'm not qualified to use or trying to interpret what I see!!
If They don't recommend Dopplers, I doubt people would recommend these!

Obviously you asked if anyone had used abs would they recommend- I haven't so couldn't recommend- but would never dream of ordering one.

Perhaps someone less anxious might have a different experience, but I doubt it!

@Wilm2 - was it easy to use? Does it also have sound so you can hear the heartbeat?

Oops posted too soon, meant to add:

Hope you're ok and this isn't coming from a place of anxiety etc. If the latter ask for more scans at hospital- I had about 10 as I was so worried about baby (dd 3 months is perfect) or pay for a private one.

All the best x

@Ginfilledcats - yes I had an early scan at 6 weeks but I’m missing my 12 week scan because I’m going on holiday and we are currently in quarantine so thought this might be a good way to check up on baby! You are right though I guess it’s similar to the dopplers where you aren’t qualified to using them you might not hear anything and begin to panic. That’s why I was wondering if these were easy to use so I don’t have to wait 5 more weeks to get a private scan when I’m back.

Ah I see how annoying! Could you not rearrange your 12 wk or pay for an early private one? All the best x

Would highly recommend not doing this. It won’t give you any reassurance as you’ll have no idea what you are looking at and will likely cause more anxiety.

I would recommend you dont - too easy to not find things or misinterpret things as you arent a professional then worry!

It's not about not being able to find a heartbeat it's about not recognising what is normal and when there is a problem, getting accurate measurements etc. It's not just a pretty picture, this stuff takes years to learn.
A 12 week scan is so much more than just checking there is a heartbeat. You need to find a way to get a proper scan, preferably within the correct time time frame as some things are time sensitive.

I couldn’t think of anything worse than doing this, I think Dopplers are a very bad idea, this is something else! How exactly does joe bloggs carry out and interpret a scan? It takes 4 years to qualify as a sonographer, probably longer for some specialities, how exactly is someone with 0 training or experience going to know what they are looking at?

Pay for a private scan before you go on holiday, you can pay for some of the screening tests privately at some places too, I’d do that.

Agree with DinosaurGrrrrr - I had a student do my 12 week one and she struggled to find one of my ovaries so it can't be a simple thing to do. I can't believe all these companies that essentially prey on the fears of vulnerable women.

Agree with PP about your 12 week scan though and I'd be trying to get a proper scan with all the proper checks.

Yes another one strongly agreeing with @Coffeeandcrumpet. Regardless of what you are doing at home 12 and 20 week scams are important medical checks. You need to speak to midwife about this and what alternatives can be arranged.

Scan obviously