Are private scans worth it?

[Superunknown1]

Going off my guess on when my period was, I am roughly 10 weeks 3 days. I had an early scan due to bleeding and cramping that measured baby a week short of that so may guess may have been off- either way I’m almost 10 or 11 weeks pregnant.

The wait for the next scan is excruciating! My referral to midwife in order to book my booking appointment was never done so have been chasing that with no contact from midwife so far, so the first proper scan seems miles off 🥲

As it’s my first pregnancy I’ve been very anxious and was wondering if a private scan (I could potentially have one as soon as Monday) or if it would be a waste of £60?

The anxiety of the scan possibly being later than it should be etc. is just stressing me out a lot! Is it normal for booking appointments to be very ‘last minute’? Are private scans worth doing? Any help would be appreciated x

It’s definitely a personal choice. For me it has been the right thing as it helps with the anxiety so I see it as money well spent. Others will feel differently

I had an early scan with my 2nd pregnancy and it really helped. Will definitely be booking one again this time

@Superunknown1 I booked one for 10 weeks because my booking appointment wasn’t until then so I was anxious my first nhs one would be late. It was amazing, so much more in detail than the nhs ones! Just look at reviews before you book, I’ve had a bad experience in the past so I really look into them now xx

I personally find them extremely reassuring. At a third trimester loss in 2021, I needed private scans to get through my rainbow pregnancy last year

@ChloeN thank you! I’ve done a bit of research (window to the womb) and the reviews on Trustpilot seem good, I was lucky my NHS scan at 5/6 weeks showed all clear but it’s the anxiety to make sure nothings gone wrong in the meantime! Thank you! X

Oh absolutely, @Littlelighthouse - congrats on your rainbow pregnancy!! It’s so nerve wracking the waiting isn’t it, I think I’m going to book one just for peace of mind😅

I’m 10 weeks and had 3 scans so far (2 private and 1 NHS due to bleeding at 7 weeks). We wanted a private scan at 6 weeks because we were worried about ectopic pregnancy (not for any particular reason but just wanted to rule it out). It was cheaper for us to buy an ‘early bundle’ and we’ve just used the second one today for reassurance because I had some bleeding during the week that wasn’t heavy enough for EPU to see or scan me.

the 6 week one was good but not a lot to look at, but the one today was so different and such a nice surprise. The baby has grown so much in the last 3 weeks and was moving around loads and waving its arms and legs about.

It’s our first pregnancy too and personally we like the reassurance and seeing how it’s progressing. My NHS scan is at almost 13 weeks so nice to have a little check up in between.

I think during the first 12 weeks especially if it’ll give you any reassurance it’s worth doing. I can’t describe the relief it’s given us to see it wriggling about and looking more like a baby.