Window to the Womb - early scans

[swiftt]

Hi. Has anyone had an early scan at Window to the Womb? I’m 8 weeks on Monday and hoping to book an early scan with them, I had another place booked but there isn’t as much info on their website so I’m thinking of changing it to another clinic. Would they try an abdominal scan at 8 weeks?

I think part of my reasoning for getting one is that we lost a baby in July, and I had to go through it alone due to restrictions.

No scan is a guarantee, but it can at least tell you that your body isn’t playing tricks on you, and more importantly, if it is bad news, I was allowed my partner with me at the private scan. It’s traumatic enough being told there’s no heartbeat, but doing it with your partner in the car park was something no woman should have to go through.

I know trusts are changing their rules now, oh was allowed in my 12 week scan on Friday which was amazing.

Window to the womb knew my history, & went above and beyond to make me feel safe and comfortable, & celebrated with me when everything was looking good.

I also want to apologise if my use of the term “dildo cam” made anyone uncomfortable. Whilst I disagree with it being “vulgar” I can understand it could make people feel more anxious.

I was terrified of it, and it was actually a lady doctor who said she referred to it as a dildo cam, which made me laugh, and put me at ease. It may be should read the room though and saw that something like that would make me laugh. I’ve just always used that term since, & had never gotten a bad reaction from it, although I can appreciate some people may not feel comfortable saying they feel uncomfortable

I will try to refrain from using it again where I do not know the person 🙂

Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone. I’ve booked a scan for 3.15 today. When I had my MMC many years ago, the experience I had at the NHS was nothing short of traumatic. I received no support, perhaps because I was considered young and instead was only asked about why I hadn’t used contraception as I almost passed out from losing so much blood. I don’t feel like I can risk waiting without knowing what’s going on inside my body at the moment, as the not knowing is causing me a lot of worry. Wish me luck!

All the sonographers at ultrasound direct and window to the womb are trained sonographers, many work for the NHS as well. As for the NHS scans and being seen afterwards and being offered the best care.... I think a lot of women would disagree with that currently! Going for a private scan around 9 weeks is no garentee obviously but the miscarriage statistics prove that for most women if they wait until this point they are likely to have have a good outcome. Obviously post twelve weeks chances and percentages get higher and higher, but even at 35 weeks, you still don't have a 100 percent chance of delivering a healthy and live baby so you can never be absolutely certain. One early scan is fairly sensible as far as I'm concerned in this current climate, especially if something is found to be wrong because of issues getting medical or surgical management and waiting times for that.

Yes anyone can buy a machine and yes, these places are only there to make money, that's good old capitalism, but there is no way any either of those two big places have untrained sonographers practising. They are mostly NHS staff moonlighting!

Good luck @swiftt keep us posted ! Be thinking of you x

@swiftt good for you, the main places will refer you to your hospital if they find anything amiss, they have a duty of care. I know people have had bad experiences with private places of course, they've slipped through the net somehow or got someone incompetent, but that happens in the NHS as well. You just want peace of mind for you personally and that will get you through to your officially 12 week scan in November 😊

@swiftt let us know how you get on. Don't worry about the internal scan. I had one a few days ago and although it looks long it doesn't go in very far.

If you have used tampons before, it doesn't even go in as deep as them.

can 2nd above @swiftt! just had TV scan and was aghast at the length and sonographer was like oh its only that top bit that goes in! really wasnt bad at all :) good luck!

Thanks for your well wishes everyone.

Just a quick update to say that I had an absolutely fab experience today at WTTW. I felt totally at ease and in good hands. They managed to see everything they needed to abdominally, and I got to see my teeny tiny little bean measuring bang on 7 weeks and with a heartbeat fluttering away.

Yipppeeee so happy for you @swiftt! Must be over the moon! Glad was a great experience there for you as well :)

I had an 8 week early scan at WTTW & had a fab experience! I’d read online it would be transvaginal as it was before the 10 week mark. However they said they would try abdominal first & the picture/video was so clear & really reassured me. It also meant my partner could attend as he wasn’t allowed at my 12 week scan.
I have since been back for a gender & 3D scan. The staff at WTTW have been much friendlier & informative than the staff who carried out my 12 & 20 week scan at my local NHS hospital.