Private scan - can it harm baby?

[MontyFALD]

Hi all,

Basic question I guess! I'm very nervous about this pregnancy due to past MC and MMC etc.

I'm booked in for an early scan privately at 8 weeks but have just had my letter through from NHS saying my 12 week scan is booked in.

Do I need to inform them that I have had a private one?

Secondly - can it harm baby at 8 weeks? I've seen misleading mixed info online! Just want to do the right thing by baby!

My DH can't come with me to the 12 week so might have another private for him to come - does this increase risk of harm to baby having multiple?

I don’t think one extra scan can harm the baby but would urge caution about getting additional regular scans, more than anything it’s going to reinforce any anxieties you have

An 8 week scan is absolutely fine. Mention it to your midwife on booking in as they’ll like to know that the heartbeat has been seen but it’s not going to make any difference to how the 12 week scan is condicted

Absolutely no problem with additional scans. Ultrasound waves dont harm the baby at all.
I had scans at 5+6, 8 wks, 10 wks, 14, 16, 20 (and so on) until 34 weeks, then weekly scans up until both babies arrived!
Not UK based and private healthcare, but it wouldn’t be done if there was any risk of harm.

Hi OP, no there's no problems at all with having early scans! I ould just caution against having too many extra private scans as it can feed into any anxieties you have.

I had an early one at 6 weeks because I couldn't believe I was finally pregnant and then ive had other scans on the NHS (a mix of normal scans and growth scans) at 11.5w, 12.5w, 20w, 22w, 31.5w, 35.5w and 38w, and all completely fine

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I have a high risk pregnancy and so the clinic I'm under scan me every 2 weeks in the first trimester. That is their usual process with a high risk pregnancy. So if they're willing to do that in a high risk pregnancy having a couple of extra scans won't be a risk to you or your baby.

I had two scans a week with my consultant from 16 to 32 weeks so I would say it’s not harmful…

I had scans twice a week from 24 weeks to 37 weeks (they induced me the day after my final scan) and DD is fine.

I researched this a lot due to loads of scans as a result of a huge bleed in early pregnancy and complications that developed in the third trimester. They were daily at the end.

The only reliable research I could find showing any effects indicated a slight tendency towards left handedness. Interestingly my daughter is a lefty when hardly anyone else in the family is. From a hellish pregnancy if that is the only effect from the extra monitoring I am very happy!

Nah. I’m 27 weeks and have had 5 scans already. You’ll be fine!

Should clarify - for medical reasons. So they wouldn’t advise that if it wasn’t safe :)

I’m 32 weeks and have had 11 nhs scans and have 3 more scheduled. They have never mentioned any risks associated with the scans.