Private Scans, esp. In Northern Ireland?

[midori1999]

I am 7 1/2 weeks pregnant. I am booked for a scan at 12 weeks and will have an anomoly scan around 20 weeks. However, a friend has just told me the hospital I am being scanned at will not reveal the sex of the baby. I appreciate this can be wrong, but I found out with all my previous three pregnancies and would like to find out with this one.

So, I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhhere to have aprivate scan done in Northern Ireland? Also, are they likely to do an early scan in the next couple of weks too and is thee any reason I shouldn't do his? I know it is not that long to wait until 12 weeks, but I want to start buying things and would prefer to see a heartbeat etc before I do.

Any advice or recomendations are very welcomed!

Thankyou.

Hi!

I'm from NI, didn't want to find out the sex of the baby at the scans, but I'd imagine it'd be annoying for people who do. And the hospital I'm booked into does tell people the sex.

Can I ask where abouts in NI you live? I live in North Belfast.

No medical reason you shouldn't have an early scan (although some people would disagree with this), but don't think anyone would be willing to do it for you on NHS if there's no need to except for your curiosity.

I did look up a few places that did private scans in NI when I was in early pregnancy (I'm 33 weeks now), will dig out the info for you and post it soon. Problem is, it's much dearer in NI than it would be on mainland, as there are much fewer clinics doing it.

Also, you say you want to buy things early to get yourself ready. That's a good idea, and I know how you feel. But, the sex most likely won't be visible at 12 weeks. That wouldn't be clear until 20 week period when baby is bigger and more developed.

At 12 weeks the baby is really just two blobs (one is head, one is body) with arms and legs and details are vague.

20 weeks gives a much clearer picture of your little baby.

Right, hope I've been some help and haven't pickled your head

Will post that info for you soon.

Hi, back again.

Have a look at:
www.3fivetwo.com it's a clinic in South Belfast, does scans.

Couldn't find any others. But maybe if you ring them they can point you in right direction.

Thankyou for replying!

I realise I won't be able to find out the sex at an early scan, I think it's just more I want to know the pregnancy looks viable and that there is only one baby in there before buying a pram etc, as I am a little superstitous and don't want to temp fate. I'll get most clothes in 'unisex' anyway, as I prefer sleepsuits and vests for newborns instead of outfits.

I am having antenatal care at Downpatrick Hospital and having the baby at the hospital in Dundonald, the new one, I forget what it is called. I am being booke din when I have my scan at 12 weeks, so haven't met my midwife yet.

How about you? When are you due?

I'm due 5 March, this is my 1st baby. Very excited, time getting close

I'm having it in Mater hospital, which is in North Belfast. It's nearest hospital to where I live.

The hospital in Dundonald is called the Ulster hospital, I've heard it's a really good hospital to give birth in. My aunt had my cousin in the Ulster and said the staff were lovely.

Hi Midori,
I'm in NI too, 30 weeks. I've been to Antrim area hospital/ Waveney in Ballymena and they have had no problem telling me the sex of this or my last baby. Don't know anything about private scans.
But just to reassure you, I think the quality of care we get over here is excellent compared to some parts of the country.

Hey, this seems to be a bit of an NI forum thing going on, in which case I want in! I don't really know that many people over here (I'm from London) so if anyone knows anything about Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn, where I've been referred to, I'd be interested to know...

I'm about ten weeks and I ah... feel a bit bad somehow as I've already had two scans... One was done in London, when I had cramps early on, at about 5ish weeks, and the second one was a follow up one which my NI doctor referred me for, as my hormone levels had been quite high, and they wanted to rule out nasty complications. It was done at about 8 weeks, and the sonographer refused to rule out twins even though they could only see one heartbeat...

I'm really surprised that they don't reveal the sex routinely over here. This is my first baby and I want to know. I have my first midwife appointment at Lagan Valley on Thursday; if she says that they don't tell then I'm with you to the private clinic Midori!

I don't know if this happens with every hospital but I've noticed a little note they put on the scan report which indicates the sex of the baby. At the bottom of every scan I've had after about 20 week, the sonographer has written fm with a tick beside the relevant initial. But we've always been open about wanting to know so I don't know if they would do that otherwise. Worth a try

Roscat after I read your post I checked my file. No, they didn't do that with mine. But that's maybe because I didn't want to do the sex.

You've got me curious now though!

What hospital you talking about from your experience?

352 medical on the Lisburn rd. Its right across the street from Aura Day Spa

Takelovingchances I'm booked into Antrim but get my scans at the Waveney in Ballymena.