Will you book an early scan privately?

[AllAboardTootToot]

1st pregnancy and just want to have that first scan. I know it might not pick anything up but I am tempted.

Has anyone booked one or doing it and have any advice?

The earliest I would have one is 7-8 weeks!

Yup - first pregnancy I had 2 early scans, one at around 7 weeks which showed the heartbeat, and second at 10+4 where unfortunately I found out I'd had a missed miscarriage.

Second pregnancy now, doing the same again but actually will do another scan around 9 weeks. If something goes wrong I'd rather know sooner than later. Just have to remember each early scan only shows a snapshot that everything is ok at that moment, it doesn't predict what will happen after x

I've had them with two of my LOs and I would say wait till eight weeks otherwise they may not show anything and then it makes you worry unnecessarily. I had reasons for having them (bleeding) and they did help reassure me.

We get offered one from 6 weeks where I am aswell as a 12 weeks.

I am going the day after 7 weeks so I can ensure to see something if it's there. I'd hold out till atleast then even if it's tough (it's killed me!)

I would never have a private scan. Even walking past the scan place on my way to work makes me angry and a bit upset. I hate the way they prey on womens (perfectly understandable) anxiety.

They can’t reassure pas the moment you see, and they are not equipped to deal with problems and emergencies.

That’s good advice. I’m sure I’m around 5 weeks at earliest just now but wasn’t tracking last period so that could be out. Will give it a few more weeks to be sure.

This waiting about isn’t easy! 😂

@InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits I completely agree apart from one thing, which is they can tell you if you've had a missed miscarriage without waiting until the 12 week scan. I'm so glad I didn't wait until my 12 week scan last time. But as you've said, you have to take it as a snapshot. I wouldn't use it as anything but that. For me it's just about ruling out a missed miscarriage. Just as a reassurance that some of us aren't being 'preyed on' but making a decision to get knowledge :) x

I’m glad you do not feel exploited by them! My anger is not toward women who understandably want them, I would have been linked up to a scan machine 24/7 if I could with some pregnancies so I do understand. I’m sorry though but can’t tell you that either. A missed miscarriage is one where the body doesn’t realise that the pregnancy is over until several weeks after. It’s often found at routine scans. But if you had a viable pregnancy at 8 weeks on a scan, your pregnancy could be over at 8+1 and in the case of a missed miscarriage you wouldn’t then find out until a next routine scan.

Unless you are scanning every day or every few days, the scans can’t prevent a missed miscarriage, in that you could pay for a scan, feel reassured and still have a missed miscarriage in another month or so.

@InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits I know what a missed miscarriage is thanks, I had one! That's why I flagged in my original response to OP that it's only a snapshot, and that I had a good scan at 7 weeks last time, but baby died around 9 weeks which I found out at a private scan at 10+4. I could have been walking around with a dead baby for another 2 weeks if I hadn't have had that scan, which I'd like to avoid if I can.

What I'm saying is I'm choosing to have regular scans, as I don't want to wait until the 12 week scan to find out if I've had a missed miscarriage, I'm having 3 early scans so that I have the opportunity to find out earlier if that has happened. I know it doesn't prevent anything.

@AllAboardTootToot I had one at seven weeks to check for a heart beat and I had one at ten weeks when I had NIPT. Gave me reassurance in the wait for the 12 week scan. I wouldn't consider having one before seven weeks x

These women choose themselves to have a scan done. No one's pointing a gun to their head 😂

I had early scans with both of mine. Once a heartbeat can be detected your chances of a miscarriage are lower, and I found it reassuring to see that heartbeat. I had them at about 7 weeks.

I had one at 5 weeks 2 days OP. I was lucky enough to see a heartbeat. Not everyone will at this stage but they should be able to see if the pregnancy is at least in the right place.

Us women know that private scans can't prevent a miscarriage. If these 'anxious women' feel they need a scan, that's what they're there for. Ignore the poster above. Obviously they always have to find a reason to be angry at any given opportunity.

I had a private one at 10 weeks, and then another at 16 (plus the NHS one at 12 weeks). I found it nice and next time I'd probably go a bit earlier, maybe 8-9 weeks. I would exercise caution though - I know quite a few people who become quite addicted to them if they're anxious in any way and it can become a bit all consuming!

Private clinic will provide zero followup if there is an issue so be careful. If you are going to do it I'd do at 9 weeks - I think something like 90% viability if heartbeat seen then. But personally I wouldn't, and didn't.

The same could be said for any scan?
You could scan at 12 weeks at hospital and something goes wrong the next day. They are all a point in time.

If you go privately then something isn't right - you can then go to the drs for appropriate care from then.

I had MMC at 7 weeks and Godknows how long is would have took to pass before a 12 week scan. My d&c wasn't untill another 2 weeks and not so much as a twinge had happened by itself.

I had severe pregnancy anxiety, they absolutely didn’t ‘prey‘ on me. The anxiety was there the moment I had all of my positive tests. They were a lifeline to me and actually when I miscarried, very well equipped to deal with emergencies. Very speedy referrals and much more compassion than the EPU.

I can think of one occasion where they spotted a cord around a baby’s neck that wouldn’t have been seen as there was no medical need for one.

Absolutely no need to feel ‘angry’. They provide a vital service. Some NHS trusts only offer a 20 week scan.

A 20 week scan with a 12 week, that should say.

I had scans at 8 and 10 weeks due to bleeding so mine were through the NHS. Heartbeat could be detected on both scans, congratulations OP.

I had one with my first at 8 weeks, but I’m not going to with this second pregnancy.

number of factors, it won’t change anything if the worst was to happen, I’m too busy with a toddler/work, and the additional cost. I’ll wait for the 12 week, and hopefully all will be ok. Round my area a private early scan is around £60-80 depending on where you go, that’s a lot of money to our family when we’ll have an upcoming Mat leave to cover, cost of living/childcare/whopper mortgage.

if I had a pool of money I absolutely would just for that extra reassurance - but you don’t see much at 8-9 weeks but it is lovely either way x

I was in two minds about private scans but decided I'm against it. I'm very much of the attitude whatever will be will be and I'm prepared to just wait until the routine 12 week scan. And I had a miscarriage in January. I think I'd be more devastated if I had a private scan at 7/8 weeks which showed everything to be fine then something go wrong later down the line.

But whatever you decide is the right choice for you. Different people are comfortable with different things.

I had two private scans with my last pregnancy at 8 & 16 weeks and will be doing the same this time around. Not just for reassurance but the nhs is so oversubscribed, that I found those scans really rushed, to the point, detached, (perhaps I just got unlucky with the bedside manner of the sonographer), with stupidly long waits (literally waited for 1 hour with full bladder for 12wk scan).
Private scans I found much more person centred and really savour the moment - you get a lot more screen time of your baby, which for me and husband was money well spent. But obviously if something is wrong you'd need to go back to NHS. And no scan, NHS nor private, at any gestation, can predict the future.

Completely understand it’s just a snapshot, just wanted people’s experiences on what they did and any advice, which overwhelmingly coming from this is wait until 8 weeks plus. I would have thought about that so thank you.

good luck in all your journeys and thanks for taking the time to respond ❤️

Didn't with my 1st as it was during lockdown but got one at 7 weeks with our 2nd to show my MIL as she was over staying.

Pregnant with our 3rd and have a scan booked where I'll be almost 8 weeks 🤞🏼

I had severe, crippling anxiety with my first successful pregnancy. Had had two losses before that. I think what some people aren't taking into account is that in the 8 weeks+ between finding out you're pregnant and having a 12 week scan, you still have to function, live your life, go to work and not get sacked! It's a very very long time to think "oh well whatever will be will be". The private scans gave me enough reassurance to get through the weeks that followed. Once I could feel the baby move I was ok and didn't need them, but they helped me to not completely lose the plot in the first trimester and first half of the second trimester as well.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!