Private scans ... some questions for people who have had one please!

[BorgLady]

Some overwhelmingly generous friends have offered to treat us to a private baby scan. We're really chuffed, as we can find out the sex (our hospital doesn't allow this) and also get some more pics. Very exciting!

Been looking into scans and thought I'd ask some sage advice from the experienced.

I think we'll have to go with BabyBond as they seem to be the only ones close to us who offer it. (I live in the Colchester/Ipswich/Chelmsford area)

Some things I am curious about ...

1. Can you normally book a private scan on a weekend? DP has already taken a ton of time off work and I'd ideally like him to save the rest of his holiday for after LO is born.
2. Can I bring more than one person? My hospital only allow one, and my very excited mum has never seen a scan. I know she'd treasure the experience.
3. If I go for the Gender Scan option, what happens if baby is in an awkward position or has its legs crossed? I'm not bothered if its a boy or a girl, but I am gagging to know which it is, iyswim! But don't want my friends to pay £79 and STILL not know!

Also, if you have any experiences, I'd love to hear them.

1. Yes

1. Yes

1. They look very hard and will give you opportunity to go for a walk and return in half hour for example.

I had a gender scan that was black and white for a bit and they switched over to 4D. was amazing!

I had a private scan in Kent and

a) no they dont take bookings for the weekend
b) yes you can bring more than one person.
c) as it is a 3d scan they are very clear and you dont miss much at all but it does depend on how far gone you are. I had mine at 12 weeks so not as clear as my friend who had hers at 29 weeks and her baby looked exactly the same when born.

1. Yes, Saturday or Sunday.

1. Yes. They might object to a coach party, but your mother should be no problem.

1. They get you to go for a bit of a walk and try again. If they can't get any decent pictures at all they will book you another appointment for another couple of weeks' time, but I don't know whether that applies to not being able to tell the gender as well.

(those answered based on BabyBond in Ashford, Middlesex)

We used Baby Bond for our gender scan and we had it on a Saturday. IWe were told that they will make you walk around etc until they get a clear picture and if they still can't after a decent amount of time, then they'll book you another appointment for no extra charge. Either way they'll keep trying till they get it.

We thought they were great, very happy to point out all the different bits and give us a good, long look at bubs. She was also very careful to point out the girly bits rather than just saying it's a girl and us having to believe her. Would definitely use them again if I was stupid enough to get pg again!

We are using baby bond for our 4d scan in a few weeks. Used them for an early scan at 10 weeks and found them very good. I had a weekend appointment but only through a cancellation because they were very busy. My local one in Scotland does late evening ones too.

Hi Borglady, we are from the same area!
I used Babybond in Chelmsford which i am guessing you are planning to use. It was FANTASTIC.
In response to your questions...
they work fri, sat and sundays and are very helpful in fitting you in.
You can take up to 3 people on with you. We had the NT scan there and a 4d one at 29 wks - my dh and my mum both came to the 2nd one.
No experience with genger as we chose not to find out HOWEVER baby was v uncooperative when we had the 4d scan and we couldn't get pics so they gave us opportunity to walk around then go out, have a drink and a snack and come back for a re-scan (whole thing ended up being about 3 hours!) just so that we could get a good dvd and pics. So i would say they are pretty good at doing their best to make sure you get your money's worth.
HTH. keep us updated on how it went!

I've had all my scans privately.

Not sure if all places will do weekends, but I went to a BMI hospital and they would accomodate weekend or evening appts.

I went alone, so can't help you with the next one... but there wasn't loads of room in the scanning room I was in!

When I had my anomoly scan at 20 weeks (mind you, this cost £289!), I was absolutely SURE it was a boy but the lady couldn't tell... so she sent me off to the loo and a walk about and then checked again - I WAS right!!

I would recommend it!

Fantastic, thank you all for your replies.

Booked in today for a Saturday morning in about 3 weeks and really can't wait. They seem so friendly and chatty on the phone, SO unlike my local hospital where both sonographers I've had have been pretty scary individuals!

Hi Paranoidmummy, good to see someone from the hood on mn! Great that you've actually been to the Chelmsford one, thanks!

I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm counting the days!

I have a scan at BabyBond on Sunday and I am so excited it's quite ridiculous - make sure you eat chocolate and have a fizzy pop drink 40 minutes before to make sure baby's lively (they told me) - I've found Mars Milk drinks make the most activity!! I say don't get the expensive pictures, ask for a CD rom of all the stills (£10 I think)and you can print your own pictures off much more cheaply at Boots!

I've got mine tomorrow at Babyscanning in Glasgow so excited.

1. yes they do Saturdays and Sundays I think

1. I'm bringing DP, DD1 and 2, think they say up to 6 adults.

1. They send you away for a walk and a cold drink to move baby, they will try really hard for you.

Closest babyscanning to you is Surrey I'm afraid

You have to pay for the pictures?

I just got given mine... absolutely loads of them...... The sonogarpher was super cool and got some really cool shots - like of DS waving his arm about (oh, and a couple of his willy too... not sure about those ones!! [grin!])

Hope you all have a fab time and enjoy your scans!

You get different packages which include pics (blown up ones in frames)/DVDs/ a bag (????) and anything else they can try and flog you. If you pick a package without pictures you can buy them seperately but as I said - much better to get the CD Rom as I'm sure if you wanted to frame them you'd rather have your own frame!