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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Underwhelming window to the womb scan

23 replies

RayofElle · 01/10/2023 23:06

For the price, I expected a bit more than what I got. I suppose the scan itself only takes a few minutes but the entire experience gave off some weird vibes.

receptionist and sonographer clearly didn’t want to be there. The sonographer didn’t say much more than confirm my last period and point out the heartbeat. Said 1 sentence the entire time. The chaperone was lovely but, why are they there? She just sat silently in the corner.

It was really awkward and OTT… putting a gown on… multiple gigantic TV screens… no offer of a tissue after to clean up the jelly… no speaking!! We came away thinking wtf just happened 😂

Whats everyone else’s experience been like with them?

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Mangotango39 · 01/10/2023 23:12

I have not been there but that does sound weird . Especially no tissue to clean up??? What?!!!

RicherThanYews · 01/10/2023 23:54

Cold, void of any communication and ultimately unprofessional as I discovered that I had miscarried and they were supposed to contact the EPU. I wouldn't recommend them at all.

KatieJ345 · 02/10/2023 00:30

Sorry you had that experience. I have been for 2 early scans at the one in Cambridge and they have been great.

Superunknown1 · 02/10/2023 00:37

I went to the one at Bilston at about 9 weeks, I’d had a scan at EPU at 6 weeks so knew the pregnancy was viable/going well but I would have hated to be in such a soppy place with children and photos of babies if it had been bad news. Staff were nice, sonographer said about 2 words but chaperone was friendly. Really pile on the vouchers at the end to get you back for more scans but didn’t affect how lovely and reassuring the experience was. Had to consciously make sure we didn’t book more though for reassurance, it’s easy to see how they make money as it’s not cheap and a few weeks after i wanted to go back to ease my anxiety all over again.

SleepingStandingUp · 02/10/2023 01:08

"oh yes one baby in the right place"
"What's that?
"Oh that'll just be the sac"

Readers, it was his twin brother.

Same branch as a pp. No chaperone tho, it would be odd to have a randomer sat quietly on the corner to make sure I wasn't abused. Friendly staff, just can't count!!

helloooitsmeee · 02/10/2023 12:27

I had a similar experience at Hey Baby, felt so peed off that I'd spent as much money as I had for such an underwhelming, and quite frankly confusing experience! I sent them feedback afterwards and they actually refunded me in full which was good of them.

TheBirdintheCave · 02/10/2023 12:32

I think this depends on the branch. We found Chessington to be a bit blah but Worthing were SO kind and considerate.

Boymamaxx · 02/10/2023 20:15

Had a scan at window to womb in Devon last week.. in & out within 6 minutes!!

Was awkward the whole time and turns out the sonographer isn't even certified. He also didn't know where the probe needed to go which was rather awkward 😅

We have a baby bond/ultra sound direct local and with my son, they were amazing so I'll go to them in future!

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 02/10/2023 20:27

I’ve not been to window to the womb before but it dies sound very unwelcoming.

We went to Hey Baby last year and I seriously couldn’t fault it. The sonography was great and actually worked in EPU at hospital near me. She sent us to waiting room after the scan and after 20 minutes called us back in saying there was a problem and it might be ectopic. She’d been on phone arranging for me to be admitted to EPU overnight. Thankfully all was ok but she really looked after us.

Confusedddddddd · 02/10/2023 20:37

I've never been as I avoided that chain as apparently the sonographers don't need to be qualified.

I found another company instead that consisted of nhs sonographers making extra cash at the weekend so I knew they were qualified, their bios were on the website and all. We were in there for well over half an hour with that scan. They found some cysts as well as the healthy pregnancy, and made all the arrangements for follow up at my local hospital.

SarahLHs · 02/10/2023 20:49

Oh that doesn't sound good. Definitely think it depends on the branch , we've been to the Reading one for gender scans during both of my pregnancies and the staff were so lovely.

Olika · 02/10/2023 21:02

I went twice at my local one and they were lovely and I was happy with the scan and what they told me.

TTCbaby2023 · 03/10/2023 09:05

I went there when I got pregnant in March. Did the first scan, was OK, not the greatest experience as the room was so small and uncomfortable. The sonographer didn't say much at all and didn't check much.
I came back a couple of weeks later when they found out that the heart stopped beating. At least they referred me straight away to the EPU but when I fell pregnant again in July, I decided against going there again as I couldn't stomach it anyway, it would bring too many hard memories but also wanted somewhere where they had more clinical experience. In the end I ended up in the EPU at week 8 and 10 due to very high anxiety. I however had one scan for NIPT at a fertility clinic and the difference with window to the womb was huge, a much better experience and more knowledgeable sonographer.

ILookAtTheFloor · 03/10/2023 10:52

I've only had good experiences at Window to the Womb. I went when I was 26 weeks pregnant and had a 4D scan but it was a bit underwhelming, not their fault but baby wasn't playing ball! I mentioned that my husband was a bit annoyed to the receptionist (he'd gone back to the car with our other children and didn't choose the pictures- he was hangry more then anything!) And they gave me a free scan two weeks later! And we got some lovely pics that time. They begged us not to leave a bad Google review. So I think it really does depend on the branch.

rainbowtea23 · 03/10/2023 20:23

I’ve been to the one near me 3 times. Once in my first pregnancy to find out the sex that was a nice experience all fine.

In my second pregnancy I went for an early scan as was in shock at conceiving again when I never thought it would happen. I was really anxious but the people there that time were brilliant and I felt so reassured.

The last time was for the sex of baby number 2. This was a rubbish experience as they didn’t want to be there it was so rushed, the pictures were awful and they seemed disappointed for me that baby was the same sex as older sibling which I thought was really odd when it didn’t matter to me either way I was just happy to be having a second. They try and push all the extra stuff onto you and when you say no they just can’t be bothered. It’s a shame as I had two positive scans there but I wouldn’t go back after the third one. Proper put me off.

IVFfirsttimer91 · 03/10/2023 20:26

The one in Bexleyheath is really lovely, all the members of staff have been fantastic and up until recently the sonographer was absolutely wonderful (he has now left), I’m hoping the sonographer that has replaced him is going to be just as good when I go on Friday for the gender scan :)

ChesapeakeBay · 03/10/2023 20:39

Boymamaxx · 02/10/2023 20:15

Had a scan at window to womb in Devon last week.. in & out within 6 minutes!!

Was awkward the whole time and turns out the sonographer isn't even certified. He also didn't know where the probe needed to go which was rather awkward 😅

We have a baby bond/ultra sound direct local and with my son, they were amazing so I'll go to them in future!

He didn't know where the probe went?!

As in he couldn't do it without looking, or as in he held it up and said "what's this?"?!

Toddlerteaplease · 03/10/2023 21:04

I know of a family that had two probate 4d scans. That failed to spot an important body part was actually missing. Discovered immediately at birth.

Boymamaxx · 03/10/2023 21:13

@ChesapeakeBay as in, even with looking it nearly went up the 'rear' shall we say..

IVFfirsttimer91 · 03/10/2023 21:22

@Toddlerteaplease wouldn’t that have been picked up at the 20wk abnormality scan though?

Toddlerteaplease · 03/10/2023 21:23

Nope missed them as well. Absolutely no idea how.

IVFfirsttimer91 · 03/10/2023 21:26

That’s frightening! Was the baby ok??

ChloeN · 03/10/2023 22:31

@RicherThanYews same thing happened to me with my first pregnancy! Never referred me to EPU either, it was such an awful experience

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