Any advice on whether we should take DS (2) to the 20 week scan?

[trixymalixy]

I think we would definitely take an older child, but not sure how much he would understand.

Has anybody done this, and would you do it again?

Check your hospital's policy - my local hospital will only allow other children into the scan room for a few minutes at the end to see the baby on the screen. So, either your partner would have to miss most of the scan and only come in at the end with your DS, or you'd need another adult to look after him while you two are in the scan room. For this reason, we didn't take our older ones to any of the scans, but did show them the photographs of the baby in mummy's tummy.

HTH

Ooh Trixy, does that mean that NHSGGC has finally brought in 20 week scans??

Ha ha, no Shona, chance would be a fine thing!!!

No we're paying for it unfortunately.

They are bringing in 20 week scans in September apparently, but I'll believe it when I see it!! They told me scans would be brought in in 2007 when I was pregnant with DS.....

Ah well, if you're paying for it, I guess it's up to you whether or not DS comes too. Sorry, I didn't appreciate that!

In that case, I have no relevant experience to offer

I did take my ds, then 18m, for 20-week scan, but even after lots of previous discussion he took one look at mama on a table in a darkened room and freaked completely out. He was so inconsolable for so long that dh missed the scan too. That was just my experience, but you might like to think about whether your ds is likely to be nervous about any aspect of the process. good luck

No, I wouldn't. I'm sure everything will be absolutely fine and I am speaking from a slightly biased point of view having lost a baby following a 20 week scan before, but I wouldn't want DS there just in case there was anything wrong or to be concerned about.

hi trixy. I have decided against taking my 2yo to the scan - I will be too anxious about the scan, and it wouldnt be fair on my friend, who is coming with me as DH is away,to keep an eye on her. She doesnt actually know about the baby yet anyway so might be a but confused! also, she tends to feak a bit if she has to come to the dr with me.

sorry to hear that FBB.

We have decided not to take him.

We took DD to 12 week scan (she was 16 months at time) and she was fine kept just pointing to the screen and saying "baby in tummy" although not sure how much she understood then. She comes to all my midwife appts with me and is now telling the midwife's what to do!! (she is now 21mnths) I have another scan next week and she is comming to that as well she def understands a lot more now as she keeps comming up and having a feel of my tummy and asking if the baby is kicking - so it will be intresting to see her reaction.

I suppose it all comes down to how much they understand in the end.

Took my DS to both 12 and 20 wk scan with no problems...he was well behaved, though distinctly disinterested...he was 22 months when ds2 born.