Ultrasounds

[Alexandrababy1]

Hi everyone!

I’m currently 22 weeks pregnant and had my last ultrasound a couple of weeks ago. We initially paid for one at 8 weeks, then had the standard NHS one at 12 weeks, paid for a gender one at 16 weeks then most recently had the standard NHS 20 week one. I was told that you only get two NHS ones during your pregnancy. Do you think it’s worth paying for another one at 28 weeks? I can’t imagine going 20 weeks to potentially 40+ weeks having not checked she’s okay!
I know the ones you pay for don’t really tell if there’s any problems but it’s reassuring to see her on the screen I guess!
Have any of you had any experience with this? Thank you x x

You've already had 4 when most people only have 2. I was quite happy with just 2x however if you are going to worry then its worth booking one.

Just because you don’t have a routine ultrasound after 20 doesn’t mean the baby won’t be checked from 20-40 weeks!
Once they are bigger and start moving there are lots of other ways to monitor how the baby is without scanning.

There are very few people make it to 40 weeks without another scan. Baby is measured at the midwife checks. If it measures big or small you get scanned. If baby reduces its movements you get a scanned. If you have a large/ smallBMI you get scanned. Under 18 or over 40 get a scan. Smoke once in you pregnancy you get scanned. Etc etc.

Yeah I ended up having a scan at 28 weeks and 35 weeks because there was a few slight concerns - they thought I might have too much fluid, and I had reduced movements another time - if there are any concerns you will get a scan

Tbh I would have rather not had any more scans after the 20 week one - as I just got myself worked up that something would be wrong on the next scan or whatever.

The midwife checks me every 2 weeks now, we hear the heartbeat, she checks it’s position etc - so I always know the baby is ok

If you were going to have another one I would go a bit longer like 32 weeks (unless money is no problem)

Then in the later stages you maybe or may not need to go for another scan anyway to check the growth X

Thanks everyone!
I think as it’s my first baby I’m more worried, I might book in for a 4D one I’ve heard they’re really good! Has anyone had one of these before?
There’s a place near me which isn’t too expensive, really appreciate all your replies x x

Once you start getting in person midwife appointments they measure your bump and any concerns at all they get you in for scans. I've measured big and small, 2 weeks apart! By the latest scan I didn't even ask for a photo it had got that routine. Movements and measurements will give you plenty to check baby is ok if you're worried

Baby will be checked, heartbeat ect and bump measured so it's not like nothing will be checked at all.
The only thing an ultrasound at that date would show is the position of baby. You wouldn't really see much as they're a lot bigger so you'd only see one thing at a time really

I had a couple of growth scans between 20-39 weeks (he was early) because my DS moved centile. Lots of people do for varying reasons.

Agree with @SnooperTrooper12345 I had a scan just there at 36 weeks and the baby was massive on the screen you can barely see anything and the lady doing the scan struggled massively to get proper measurements etc as there was just limbs everywhere blocking everything she wanted to measure - even half of the babies head was hidden behind the placenta at one stage!!
So if you are gonna get another scan I’d say go earlier rather than later

The 4d ones personally really freak me out haha - but obviously that might Just be me 😂

If scans help then do it, that’s what I did I remember my husband saying “another scan!” We did the 4D baby wasn’t playing ball and we didn’t really see his face I’m not sure if I would do 4D again.

@Alexandrababy1 I will probably have an extra scan at that stage (currently only 13 weeks, but found an early scan at 10 weeks really reassuring). Do whatever you feel comfortable with in terms of money and soothing your anxiety. Also, why not enjoy getting to see the baby again if it makes you feel good?

Thanks everyone!
I know I have the midwife appointments, I’ve got one on 25th Feb so I’ll see how that goes.
@WolfMother326 aw congratulations! Yeah I think I’ll have another one at about 28 weeks. I’ve seen some of the 4D scans look really nice! Before pregnancy I wasn’t an anxious person at all but it’s definitely brought it out in me xx

@Alexandrababy1 The British standard of 3 scans isn’t the norm everywhere. I’m in France where you can get one a month non private.

If you want it get it.

I found once the 20 scan was over, baby started kicking which was reassuring. I went for a 28 week 4d scan and to be honest a total waste of money - I think most babies look similar in the 4d images!! I won't be doing it for this baby anyway 😊 as someone said before the further along you get, it gets hard to ultrasound them. I had a growth scan at around 32 weeks and barely saw anything!
Hope all goes smoothly for the rest of pregnancy and beyond x

I think 4d look like melted candle wax, weird!