How many scans did you have in total during your pregnancy?

[IamnotwhouthinkIam]

I've just realised I've had what amounts to almost a scan a month during my pregnancy - I'm six months pregnant with first/only baby and higher risk due to IVF and age, so had a scan at 7 weeks at the IVF clinic (confirmation scan), 11 week private Nipt test with scan, 14 week NHS dating scan, 20 week NHS anomaly one and now I just had a private 3D/4D scan at 26 weeks.

Unfortunately DS wasn't cooperating (back turned or hands or cord in front of face) so we didn't get any clear pictures - so they kindly booked me in for a free re-scan at 28 weeks. But I've since read that some doctors don't recommend any "unnecessary" (eg. non-medical/NHS) scans for safety reasons as apparently they don't know for certain what effects lots of scans could have (wish I'd read this before I booked and paid - I just thought it would just be a nice memento as the usual 2D ones are so undetailed!)

Has anyone else had a lot of scans during their pregnancy and baby was okay? Because of the higher risk, I'm likely due to have at least 2 more NHS scans (at 32 and 36 weeks to check growth), so I'm wondering whether I should cancel the 3d/4d re-scan. A part of me thinks it will be a shame to have spent the money and not have a decent photo, but obviously his wellbeing is the most important thing!

Thanks for any help/advice

I had 12 3 private. (9 weeks, gender then 4d at 28 weeks) 13 week dating scan. 20 week scan
Then 26w
30w
32
34
35
36
37
High risk pregnancy due to gestational diabetes and baby was measuring small.

Didnt harm baby. It’s not recommended to have too many as scans are relatively new (40-45 years) so it’s hard to know if there are long term effects

I had 7 in total due to GD. and needing extra growth scans. Baby was fine xx

With DS I must have had at least 6 by the time he arrived. He is now 5 and doing amazing.
DD I was high risk so scanned from 8 weeks. Then I had the waters kept an eye on, then they were worried about her size. I honestly think I must have been scanned in excess of 12/15 times. She’s nearly 10 months old and also doing really well.

Christ I had loads: every month from 6 weeks until 34 weeks, the one a week until I gave birth, with a few extra thrown in for good measure (both pregnancies).

I had a high risk (twin) pregnancy, and for the last six weeks or so I had two scans per week! I think I had around 20 in total. My twins are nearly 2 now, and are doing very well. Try not to worry

Thank you very much for the reassurance! {smile] . Yes, it's the possible long term effects that make me nervous but it's really good to know that everything was okay for you both (after more scans than average.)

Oh, that's interesting though- I hadn't even considered that I might end up needing more scans in future due to GD. I haven't been tested for that yet (they generally don't do it till 28/29 weeks as standard here unless you are showing early symptoms). But there's a strong history of type 2 diabetes in my immediate family, which I think increases my chances of GD. Ack, I'm leaning towards cancelling the 3D/4D re-scan then...

Oh I missed the most recent posts - thank you all .

It's really great to know lots of you have had 12 scans or more and everything has been okay. It probably does seem a daft thing to worry about, but PFB and all (and 3 years of IVF, so likely my only!) - it was the basically "we don't actually know how scans might effect baby, so perhaps don't have too many - but in all likelihood we think it's okay" (paraphrasing the articles ) that scared me! I shouldn't go googling after I've already booked/done something....

4.5 weeks (EPU)
6 weeks (EPU)
9 weeks (private)
12 weeks (nhs)
20 weeks (nhs)
32 weeks (nhs)
36 weeks (nhs)

So 7 in total ☺️

I’m 23 weeks today and I’ve had 6 already, with more to come as it’s twins.
Had private ones at 7, 9, and 11 weeks due to anxiety about the pregnancy.
NHS 12 week scan, then a private gender scan at 17 weeks, then NHS 20 week scan. Getting scanned again at 24 weeks too.
The NHS scanning lady said try not to have more than one every two weeks. My girl twin doesn’t really like being scanned, but I think that’s because she’s down low and behind her brother so they have to press quite hard and she’s already squashed in there!

I had loads with DS. Touch and go first trimester,'so at least 3x then he was awkward for the anatomy scan and I had to go back TWICE, then he was breech so that was a load of extra scans too. They even scanned me right before I went in for my c-section.

DS is fine. Still awkward in the outside world though.

I wouldn't worry, it seems common to have quite a few!
Plus there are other reasons than GD why you might get extra NHS ones at the end. My first baby was breech all through, so they gave me weekly scans from about 34 weeks to check position. And DD2 her abdomen was measuring large so I had extra scans to monitor that.

Thanks all . Good to know I'm not that unusual having had 5 scans in 6 months already... and that everything will likely be fine!

I'm now leaning the other way, thinking that will just one extra scan (that's already "paid" for) really be a big deal - and it will be two weeks exactly between scans so hopefully safe on that front. Though I am intending to have a c section too, so it sounds like there might be an "extra" scan before that as well! Argh, I wish I'd never seen the 3D/4D thing to be tempted. DS was uncooperative for the 20 week scan too (took the poor sonographer ages to try to get accurate measurements), so I really should have guessed this would happen!

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Like others, I had loads with DD. 5 by 20weeks then I lost count after 26weeks. Consultant scans and general ones, some daily (she has a medical condition) and also a mix of normal scans and the consultant would always turn on the 3D so I could have a peek at her little chubby cheeks.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam it's interesting isn't it, how the rules and views vary - here in Germany unnecessary private scans are banned. That is, there are no baby viewing scans, it's not allowed due to the reasons above (long term effects relatively unknown). If there is a medical reason then of course the gynaecologist will scan.

About 10 but I had a high risk pregnancy. It was weekly for the last six weeks

Thanks again all - that's my concern (and why I'm awake and having trouble sleeping - must try again in a minute for DS's sake! ), that I won't know how many scans I could need to have in total in future. Could just be the 2 or 3 more, in which case just one "extra" scan is probably neither here nor there considering that it sounds like many of you have safely had at least 12. But it also seems like if problems develop I could potentially need lots more...

I got a bargain groupon deal so it's not a huge loss financially if I don't go back to get the picture- I just selfishly liked the idea of a nice "more realistic" in the womb shot for his baby book!

@Kaw10 - Ooh, I didn't know that, that is more concerning. I can argue/convince myself that the extra 7 week and 11 week scans were medically necessary but these 3D ones are just pure curiosity/to get a fun picture.

Honestly, I perform ultrasounds regularly in my job (sometimes several daily), and this wouldn't worry me at all.
I had tons of scans myself while pregnant, no idea how many, but one at every appointment. I had a low risk pregnancy, but went to a private OB and they do it as standard.
I'd crack on and not feel a bit bad if I were you, but I also understand what it's like once you get something in your head during pregnancy, it can be hard to shake off!

I had scans every two weeks between 13 weeks en 38 weeks (super high risk pregnancy). Actually I had three scans in the last week due to decreased movements.

She's now a healthy one year old that should be sleeping at this time of night!

6 weeks EPU
10 weeks fetal medicine
12 weeks dating scan
16 weeks fetal medicine
20 weeks fetal medicine
22 weeks. Fetal medicine.
SCANS COMING UP...
30 weeks growth scan
35 weeks growth scan

I'm currently 28 weeks. So I could possible have more scans depending how we get on next week ❤️ I had alot of scans at the start as I have had previous 2x anencephaly babies, molar pregnancy, PUL and miscarriages xx

6 weeks EPU
10 weeks private
12 weeks nhs
20 weeks nhs
23 weeks private
32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 weeks nhs

From weeks 34-38 I was scanned separately for checking flow through the cord as well.

She's 9 months now and perfect.

I had multiple additional growth scans in my last pregnancy and same this time around. Both times my friend who is an obstetrician has offered to do an extra scan if I want to know sex of the baby or if I just want a bit of reassurance on something. I can’t believe she wouldn’t at the very least say there is a risk associated with too many scans if she thought there was any chance that there was. I also asked a sonographer once if baby would be aware of the scan and she said as far as they know they think the only effect is that the wand compresses the amniotic fluid and they feel the pressure of that. Otherwise it’s just sound waves that are out with human hearing range. While it’s true that they cannot know for sure there are no ill effects it is also true (as far as I understand it) that none have ever been observed or documented and it is believed to be harmless.

From 20 weeks I had a scan a fortnight for growth as he was a chunk. Plus my NHS scans and a private scan early on so my partner could be there (Covid) he was born at 38 weeks weighing 8.13 and is now nearly 1 and perfectly fine xx

I had 15 in total & an MRI as I was high risk. Don't panic at all - everything will be ok

I had weekly scans from 5 weeks till 22 weeks and then after that probably every second week,
So yeah I probably had a 25+ scans

My healthy 4 month old baby boy is currently pulling himself up to sit as apparently lying down is for babies 😂

I went private for my pregnancy care and my consultant scanned at every appointment. So I had one a month for first/second trimester and two a month during the third. My consultant is also a fetal medicine specialist so I’m pretty sure it’s not harmful!