Window to the womb experiences

[Sara1988]

Hi all, I have a scan this week with them this week at around 7/8 weeks. Anyone else had a private scan with them? I'm pretty nervous/apprehensive.

We had a wonderful experience with window to the womb. I had a few early scans with them due to anxiety (I had three miscarriages before the pregnancy with DS). They were calm, understanding and sensitive. I had terrible experience with Peek a Baby though.

I’ve had 2 very different experiences at 2 different places.

The first was back in July 2023, I went at just over 8 weeks but baby measured 13 days behind, I was worried as this was almost 2 weeks out but they said ‘it’s normal’ and sent us on our way, there was no real explanation or opportunities given to us to ask questions. At our 12 week NHS scan a month later, they said that baby had stopped developing around 7 weeks and I’d had a missed miscarriage…so days after that scan. I feel if they’d made more of the fact the size of the baby was quite out, we’d have found out sooner. Even though that pregnancy was obviously never meant to be, being told ‘all is ok’ when it clearly wasn’t hit me very hard.

Our more recent experience was with a much better sonographer who clearly explained things, went through our scan in much more detail and really provided the ‘reassurance’. We saw them (they told me I’m having twins) twice and thought she was great. I’m now 18 weeks and look back on those scans fondly.

I wish I’d looked into where I went a bit more first time that would be my only suggestion to you. I’d look at reviews or call them up and ask a few more questions. Best of luck xx

@GeographyTeacher thanks for this. Quite a few people now with a similar experience with regards to measurements. Really helpful to know going in so thank you! And congratulations!

@Sara1988
I have had two different pregnancy’s where I have visited WTTW.
Last year I went for an early scan and was dated a week behind and they said the same as pp, being out by two weeks can be normal. I also visited EPU a few days later due to bleeding which turned out to be a hematoma. They also dated me earlier then I should have been and also said being out by two weeks can be normal and sent me on my way.
I then visited WTTW at nearly 10 weeks to find out I had a missed miscarriage (this was September 2023). I would say they were very compassionate and kind, they contacted the EPU for me. Not really sure what more they could have done in those circumstances, I thought they handled it really well.
Fast forward to end December 2023 I went for an early scan for our new pregnancy (this time I learnt my lesson to go at 8 weeks rather than 6) and they were great. I had some spotting (another hematoma, seems I’m prone to them!) and again they were great.
I just had my gender scan with them yesterday and they were lovely as always. They remember me everytime and gave us a heartbeat teddy for free saying they’re so happy our little rainbow boy is doing well after the hard time we had last year.
I couldn’t fault them at all, but admit it definitely can be dependent on the branch I suppose! Wish you all the best with your scan ❤️

Unfortunately WTTW are renowned for NOT employing sonographers who have trained in the UK. They take midwife's or radiographers from other countries, register them with the HCPC so they have a registration number for the benefit of the CQC register and train them to do a basic scan.

As the title Sonographer is not protected legally anyone can call themselves a Sonographer. The SoR have tried asking the government to protect the job title so only CASE accredited sonographers can use the title and so people would know they are being seen by an actually uk qualified sonographer. However the government rejected this. And so scan companies are able to perform unsafe and unregulated baby scans.
a company however who do use case accreditation sonographers are Baby Bond (Ultrasound Direct). I don't work for this company but know the managers and several staff there.
I also know that WTTW used to have qualified sonographers but let them go to have the non qualified staff on lesser pay. (I do not and have not worked for WTTW.. but I have colleagues who have and I have heard many horror stories for this company)

register them with the HCPC so they have a registration number for the benefit of the CQC register and train them to do a basic scan.

This is nonsense. You make it sound as though registering with the HCPC involves nothing more than signing a piece of paper. If you have a complaint with an HCPC registered radiographer, they can end up losing the ability to practice.

I went for a scan recently at WTTW and was pleased to see my sonographer was registered with the HCPC.

https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/radiographers/

The NHS will scan you if you've got pain, OP.

Having had a 'reassurance' scan with them at 9 weeks I would never go there again. They say medically trained, however when finding something not quite right with my baby they said I needed to be seen by the hospital to 'make it better' no further explanation or reassurance. I asked what they had found which they didn't properly explain to me at all. Turns out after going for another scan at a proper private medical scan place that my baby had hydrops and a genetic condition was unfortunatly fatal, however WTTW told me the hospital would be able to give me medication in the form of a tablet to make her all better!

I would never go anywhere that wasn't run by a dr again, it caused my such heartbreak to be told the bad news but not actually know the extent of what was going on and to be given false hope as it were. I think they are fine if all is well but when finding out something is wrong you need to be in the right hands.

We had one because I had lots of pain on one side and was really paranoid.

Assured me one foetus in right place. Got a photo. Asked what the other thing one, she kindly explained it was the egg sack

My twins are now 4 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

i went at 10 weeks similar to you just as I was anxious and wanted to know that everything was where it should be at that stage. Seeing the heartbeat and being told the measurements were where they should be put me at ease til my nhs scan. Still had nerves obviously as anything can happen but felt more confident that it was gonna be ok after I had my early one

It’s so hard not to worry.
I completely understand, Any it of twinge etc sets you off but try not to worry. Both my successful pregnancies I had more pains aches twinges then my eptopic. I went to hospital with shoulder tip and bleeding and still didn’t click it was eptopic. I was scanned 3 times in 4 days
i got to 8 weeks. If you haven’t had any shoulder tip pain or bleeding take that as a good sign 🤍
I used to see any twinge as baby’s growing well, it does get easier (well did for me personally) hope it goes well x

@Wobblybobb not sure why training outside of the UK would not make them professional sonographers?

Had the scan today. Saw heartbeat. Everything where it should be and baby actually measuring ahead of where we expected. Staff were amazing. Really positive experience.