Has anyone paid for a private scan because they were anxious

[frostymorning]

It looks like the only scan I'll be offered in my area is the 20 week anomaly scan. I had a mc last time and am very anxious and thinking of going for a private scan to find out whether things are okay, I'd rather know early if there's a problem. Has anyone else done this. I can't afford to keep having them and so at what stage should I go?

Hi- just to re-iterate- with your obs history your GP or midwife should be able to refer you to EPAU for a reassurance scan- a legit reason- you shouldn't have any need to fib and say you have pain to get them wondering about ectopic. There are national referral guidelines which you meet, therefore, although you probably would have to wait a while for your scan- trust me- trying scans too early just adds worry when they can't tell you anything for sure- and I personally would make sure you are DEFINATELY over 8 weeks to give you best chance of a reasssuring rather than worrying scan. Obviously, any pain, bleeding etc contact midwife/GP/A&E ASAP- again no instant scan but they should be able to get you one a little sooner.
You shouldn't have to pay.
Good luck
newmumvik (umm ok, I scan (NHS) for a living)

I have had private scans with both my pregnancies at about 8 weeks (viability scans I think they are called) and then sexing scans at around 16 weeks.

I am rather thin so tend to show really early and like to have a scan before everyone finds out. The sonographer told me that once they have seen a heartbeat at 8wks the chance of a successful pregnancy is very high (not sure on the truth of this but it always made me feel better).

We have a lovely clinic near us that does it and DP and I always enjoyed going and seeing that little heartbeat

Im 7 weeks pregnant, and when I called the doctors they said that i wouldnt need to see the midwife until december, this was a couple of weeks ago, its now been put back another week. It just feels strange that I havent seen a doctor or anyone yet? And im worried my scan wont be done before christmas, i really want to know everything is ok. Will the midwife book my scan in when i go to see her?

Where can you get a private scan? Anyone know how much it costs?

Congrats on your pregnancy! I had a private scan with Bupa at about 10 weeks. It cost £99, I just googled Bupa to find my nearest hospital, rang them and booked the scan - I called on the weds afternoon and the scan was on the friday morning so I didn't have to wait long. I believe you can have a scan at any point - although it's best to be sure of your dates just in case you aren't as far along as you think and a scan too early could give you unnecessary worry iyswim?

Yes, the mw normally refers you for a scan (at least they do in my health authority). My NHS scan wasn't until 14 weeks and I didn't want to wait that long because of a previous miscarriage. Good luck!

PS this is my 4th pregnancy (including the one misc), I've usually only first seen the midwife at about 8-9 weeks. It depends on your hospital's waiting list for dating scans I suppose, in my history they've varied between 12-14 weeks. I'm like you in that I'd want to know everything was ok before Christmas...If you know where your scanning clinic is (hospital or early pregnancy unit) you could ring them and ask about how long a scan appointment would be from a mw referral (if that makes sense!)

Frosty - just to pick up the nuchal scan at Pembury, it depends where you live as to whether it is offered for free. I am in a small village just outside of TW (in Kent) and I was told I would not get it on the NHS at Pembury, however my SIL who is in Wadhurst (E Sussex) could have it for free there!! Complete postcode lottery. They DO offer the nuchal scan privately at Pembury as well if you are not eligible, howvever I think it is expensive and just paid to have my combined nuchal + bloods at Kings Hill medical imaging centre. I think it was £30 or £40 cheaper than at Pembury.
Personally I think when you have had a mc then paying for a private scan is definitely worth it for reasurance - to my mind even getting to 12 weeks is a massive amount of time to wait! Your GP will normally only refer you for a scan on the NHS if you have had spotting or bleeding.

Thank you all, especially those who know about Pembury.