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?

I booked one im my second pregnancy because I had absolutely no symptoms, felt great and thought something was off.

I had terrible sickness in my first pregnancy and never had a scan because I wasn't worried about anything being wrong.

I ended up having bleeding before the private scans so had NHS scans which pushed back the private scan. Ultimately I had misscarraige and didn't use the private scan that pregnancy

They were happy to let me rebook for free a few months later when I was pregnant again and feeling a bit nervous. (I didn't ask for a refund as planned on getting pregnant again). It provided reassurance that baby was growing on track at around 8 weeks and I am now 41 weeks!

I had an EPU scan at 7+2 due to bleeding and a private one at 10 weeks. I would personally recommend waiting until 9/10 weeks.

Some scan places with scan your abdomen, declare they can't find anything then kick you out. No aftercare. Before 8 weeks they often need to use a transvaginal scan. If you book for 8 weeks and you're a week out with your dates (which is very common!) you could see nothing, get kicked out and you're distraught trying to contact the NHS to check you themselves. If you're 10 weeks and a week out you should still be 9 weeks and see the heartbeat and even maybe some little arm and leg buds waving away.

Totally up to you, but you just have to take them with a massive pinch of salt. I had one at 7 weeks and saw the heartbeat - then I started bleeding weeks later and found out the baby died two days after the early scan. Statistics say that miscarriage rates dramatically reduce even at 7 weeks if you see a heartbeat - but clearly, stats mean nothing.

I know people say that they won’t get their hopes up even after an early scan - to my mind that’s impossible. Of course you’ll get your hopes up if you see an apparently healthy baby! You literally have to remember that the scan shows what is happening that minute in your uterus, nothing else beyond that.

Sorry if I sound bitter - I know many people will disagree with me, but the early scan just broke me.

@Missytizzy I'm so sorry for your loss :( I also lost my last pregnancy to a missed miscarriage after a good scan with a strong heartbeat at 7 weeks. I'm having early scans at about 10 day intervals from 7+4 this time around, purely so that I can know sooner if I'm having a missed miscarriage. I can completely understand why someone wouldn't want to have early scans, but for me I can't imagine getting to my 12 week scan and finding out baby had died weeks earlier, and I could have started the healing process. To me if an early scan is ok, it's a relief that it's been ok to that moment, nothing more x

@moosey89 Oh I’m so sorry, it’s so hard isn’t it? I’m pregnant again too and finding it difficult. Fingers crossed for you x

If you choose to have a private scan make sure you choose one that uses qualified sonographers. So many of them don't, and they're nothing more than glorified photographers.

One that uses qualified professionals will have a referral policy which will allow them to refer you to the NHS if they spot anything worrying.

@Missytizzy it is, incredibly hard. And hard to believe it will be ok as well. I'm fully expecting to have bad news at my first scan on Thursday. How far along are you?x

they are not equipped to deal with problems and emergencies.

Some are...... which why using one that employs qualified sonographers is important. They will have either worked for the NHS or may still work for them and will be experienced in supporting women if they see anything concerning.

First time pregnancy here and currently 6+2, booked for early scan for 7+5. Very anxious and just want to know everything is ok before I tell family. Yes I am fully aware it is a ‘snapshot’ and things can still go wrong after this scan, however like others have said if everything is ok at an early scan it’s a good indicator. Even if it does nothing but settled your nerves for a few weeks. Like others have said wait until after 7 weeks or so as I know people who have had them at 6 wks and had to go back as it was unclear/ too small to tell anything.

Do what you think will make you happy and ease your anxiety even just for a little while! It’s your money and your peace of mind x

@moosey89 Should be 9 weeks today. Wishing you so much luck for your scan! X

@Missytizzy thank you so much - I hope everything goes well with your pregnancy x

I’ve had private early scans. I had mine after having some miscarriages though so I felt like the scans weren’t going to break me if they were disappointing if you see what I mean. the only advice I can really give is to come to terms with the uncertainty of early pregnancy and the fact that successful early scans aren’t a guarantee of anything unfortunately. It’s hard to keep all that in mind when you’re so excited though!

of the 3 pregnancies I had early scans for, one was a miscarriage and two were further along than expected.

I said I wasn't going to do an early scan but we ended up having one at 9 weeks and it was amazing. We then had a gender scan at 16 weeks.

NHS 12 week scan just didn't compare.

Yes the same can be said of any scan, I understand that which is why I feel upset every time I see the scan place and why I feel they are exploitative. I’m not here to upset anyone and agree entirely on the reasons they are wanted.

I too have had miscarriages and missed miscarriages. I’ve had miscarriages after scans, miscarriages after heartbeats, miscarriages after 12 week scans and one miscarriage after the 20 week scan.

Hiya! I had a private scan at what turned out to be 6 weeks 5 days, the scan showed a heart beat and we got some photos of our tiny little jelly bean. I'd do it again in the same circumstances!

I think the same. I'm 6 weeks with first at the moment but going to wait for NHS scan. My mindset is that I need to assume everything is fine unless I have symptoms will show otherwise.

Friend had an early private scan on her own for reassurance after an earlier miscarriage. Twins were detected, which she was unprepared for, and obviously there was no follow-up/support from the clinic. She felt bad that her DP wasn’t there for the news.