Taking toddler to early scan?

[ab03]

Just wondering if anyone has taken an energetic toddler to an early/viability scan? I can't get an appointment while she's at nursery and don't really want to go without DH, whether it's good news at the scan or not. Wondering how chaotic people found it if anyone has done the same?

I thought you couldn’t take them - assuming an nhs scan

I would find out if you can take them with you in the first place.

They aren’t usually allowed.

NHS, no. Private, maybe.

My hospital doesn’t allow children into the scan room so best check with them first

No I wouldn't.

Ah okay, thanks all. I was thinking of getting a private one but will check children are allowed. I want one even more if I might have to go the the NHS one on my own!

@ab03 I've been able to request my NHS ones at days/times toddler is in nursery, as children aren't allowed into scans in my area. You could always leave DH and toddler in the waiting room if you wanted DH as close to there as possible?

They aren't allowed in my local hospital. We got my auntie who works at the hospital to come and wait with my eldest DD in the waiting room when we went

private you'd need to check but for my NHS scans they don't allow children in the scan room or waiting room. Do consider others getting bad news, not just you.

I don't think it's allowed at the hospital I go to. I think it's a good idea as the scans aren't always good news and children could be a bit triggering for others with complicated pregnancies/bad news. I would call them first anyway.

DD is only one so wouldn't understand if there is bad news at the scan, at worst she'd be a bit confused at the atmosphere. My preference would be that I could get a scan while she is at nursery and DH and I could get away from work, but I'm not sure how flexible the appointments are. I didn't have to look into it last time but with maternity services as they are I am just guessing that rescheduling will be limited! Hopefully I'll be lucky

I have taken my baby into my scans with me (NHS) without issue. We have no one to leave her with, and my husband said he would leave the room with her if she became disruptive, luckily she was happy and quiet in her pram. She is only 10 months though so easier to contain than a toddler I guess.

I think they say no children are allowed as a general rule so the sonographer doesn't become distracted by lots of children running around the room, but I think if you have no other option they are understanding in most cases if your child will be able to sit quietly throughout.

I did take my then 1 year old in and it was a complicated scan result, actually all was ok but there was a specific issue that meant I was very high risk for other abnormalities, the scan ended up taking 90 minutes then I had to wait a further hour for the consultant to see me, dd wasn't able to sit still for 10 minutes let alone nearly 3 hours but thankfully being in the USA a nurse/assistant was found to entertain her (staffing levels are rather different!) so exh could be with me for the consultant appointment. He didn't even attempt to come to the specialist scan (the equipment used today was experimental back then and only at the university hospital!)

Remember people will not all have great news and toddlers aren't always cooperative

Our NHS trust doesn’t allow any children; they will send you home if you just turn up with them.

The local private clinic accepts children as long as there is one other adult with you to supervise while you’re being scanned.

You aren't allowed children at our hospital

I've just booked a private scan and it specifically said no children allowed so might be worth checking on those too.

@ab03 You should be allowed for a private scan :)

My private clinic doesn’t allow children, I’d be surprised if any did.

As others have said, it’s a bit insensitive to the other people present who may be getting bad news.

Seeing your DD when maybe they have had bad news on a scan will be triggering for them.

My second child I had to go to all the scans by myself even the early one at 8 weeks (IVF) due to no childcare.

You did have someone to leave her with. Your husband. My husband saw none of my scans the second time due to no childcare.

I took my almost 3 year old to my 12 week scan and no one said boo. Husband kept him in check for the scan part, then took him to an outside play area (located just off the waiting room) for the rest of my appointment. There were a couple of other kids with their mums.

Maybe call the hospital and ask them? If there's another adult to provide primary care while you are busy, I really don't see the issue - though many hospitals don't allow it so best to ask the question first.

@WithACatLikeTread believe it or not, my husband actually wanted to see the scan of his child too.
That is very unfortunate for you, but I chose to telephone first and ask if we could take our child along so he didn't have to miss it, and as I said, they were very understanding. Maybe your hospital is different, or maybe you didn't actually ask?
He would have of course stepped out with DD if she became unsettled but she sat quietly throughout the whole scan, I don't see why he should have missed out if he doesn't have to.

Took my 2 year old but was a private scan xx

I took my 2 year old for a private scan. Sadly it was a MMC but the scanner was v professional and DC had no idea anything was wrong.

When they were 3, I fell pregnant again and we took them to a 24 week private scan and they found it interesting to "see" the baby.

Private clinic said I could bring several people, no age restrictions