Private scans?

Hello everyone, after a long and rocky journey I am 8 weeks pregnant and am struggling to keep the constant anxiety at bay that something might go wrong. We had a terrible experience back in Jan at our 12 week scan and I’m desperate to avoid a repeat if possible. I’m finding it hard not to worry though and wondered if any of you have found private scans to be a help? I have read mixed reviews and heard that some scan companies don’t always tell people if they spot an issue as they’re not medically trained as such. I don’t know whether to opt for one around the 10 week mark just for piece of mind before Christmas, or if I should just wait for the NHS one at 12 weeks? Any thoughts or past experiences would be so appreciated. X

[Cinderella5]

I definitely found that scans helped, Im not sure I would have coped to wait until the 12wk NHS one with our history. We used babybond/ultrasound direct and I guess Im lucky in the fact that I knew that she also worked for the NHS so had tonnes of experience. Ive seen some horror stories about them too which does make you panic a little but in the early stages seeing a heartbeat is what matters. Don't get me wrong, I was still worried again by the time my NHS scan came around but these scans helped a lot.xx

[Hidden in reply to Cinderella5]

This is it - I think you’re right, even the reassurance of seeing the heartbeat will be a big help. Thank you for your reply. So helpful and reassuring x

[Cinderella5 in reply to Hidden]

I honestly think we never relax until we will get further into the pregnancy....I'm still scared to buy anything and I'm almost 19wks now. However a little bit of reassurance does help a lot. My stomach was in knots in the early days all the time (not so bad now) and seeing them does help a bit. All the best.xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Katiekins. Oh dear! I think because of your anxieties why not just have a private scan to put your mind at rest. Hopefully all is OK anyhow, but you get to see another stage of your little one's development. Diane

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane - I think I’m going to book a scan for 10 wks. X

[Jen85]

Hi! Its so hard. I think we will be 12 weeks around Christmas day, but our NHS scan isn't until the new year. Weve decided to book a private one (on Christmas eve, what were we thinking!!!). I know if there's something wrong Christmas is ruined but I honestly find the anxiety much worse, and I didnt want to be worrying over Christmas. After spotting at 7 and 8 weeks, I am so paranoid about a MMC. Even though I have some pretty bad morning sickness.

No doubt I will still worry at the NHS scan aswell though!

Whatever you decide, just be sure to look after your mental health aswell as your physical health

[Hidden in reply to Jen85]

I’m also so paranoid and it feels hard to not let your anxieties get the better of you. I really appreciate your advice and am going to do the same and book one for Christmas Eve. Hopefully it’s good news and will plug that anxiety gap until I get to 12 weeks xx

[Zebedee1971]

We go to a private miscarriage clinic in Epsom, they do scans every 2 weeks, and it's done by the doctor. Not cheap but worth it for the reassurance it brings, and the easing of anxiety (for a few days at least). I wouldn't pay too much attention to these horror stories about private scan places. 1.they can't do any harm to you or your baby, it's not like they can hurt you. 2. You'll get your NHS scans anyway, so these in between ones would be just to check for a heartbeat, nothing more. 3. It's actually really nice seeing how the baby develops. My little one is 10 and half weeks and looks like a little frog monkey with stubby legs. It's super cute! I couldn't have lasted til 12 weeks after my viability scan and it really does help the anxiety x

[Hidden in reply to Zebedee1971]

Thank you for your reply. It’s so helpful and reassuring and I’m definitely going to go for a private scan now. I think it’ll make me feel better. X

[Beanybeanz]

I love a private scan! It’s only £40 near me (midlands area) and have had two, as well as two NHS ones.

Private one at 7 weeks 0 days so my other half could come with me in case it was bad news

NHS viability one at 7 weeks 3 days (partner not allowed to come in)

Private one at 9 weeks 3 days because I was getting itchy feet!!

NHS 12 week one

It was lovely being able to show my mum n dad 4 different images when we told them at nearly 14 weeks! Really put my mind at ease and I think helped me feel in control of the uncontrollable - I had a bit of a sense of “well if it’s going to be bad news I want it to be on my terms” but obvs as it turns out it was all good news & meant I could really enjoy the 12 NHS week scan.

Xx

[Hidden in reply to Beanybeanz]

Thank you for your reply. So helpful and reassuring to know what others have done. I’m definitely going to do it and I think you’re right, it’ll make the 12 week scan less ominous xxx

[Hidden]

I self referred at the epu for a scan at 6w as I had 3 mmc but then found u only get one scan I booked a private scan at 10w just couldn’t wait until 13w it’s just too long when you’ve had multiple mc I use ultrasound direct cost £45 then had my nhs scan 13w then Ive got another gender scan booked next Sunday I do feel more at ease now especially having the screening results back as low being older it’s a worry. I’d definitely get a scan although terrifying at the time it does help feel more assured at least until the next scan.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I’m definitely going to do the same. I won’t be able to fully relax until we have the screening out the way as that is what picked up issues last time but I think even just a bit of reassurance before Christmas that all is developing as planned will help. Really appreciate your help and reassurance xx

[Ketkoot]

Hi. I am under a rainbow clinic in my local hospital. It is a specialist clinic for high risk pregnancies, I know they have strict criteria to be referred here.

I am automatically booked in every 4 weeks for a scan with the consultant but they have a drop in service every Friday morning if you need any reassurance. We had our 16 week scan this morning and got to hear our little girls heartbeat. It was magical and that has reassured me enough to get through Christmas.

It is worth asking if you have anything locally.

Best of luck xx

[Hidden in reply to Ketkoot]

Thank you, how exciting re your 16 wk scan. That feels like a long road. I don’t think our history would warrant being admitted to a specialist clinic sadly but I definitely see the benefits of going private. Wishing you all the best and really appreciate your reply xxx

[Ell493]

Yes, I would do it. Seems worth it. Also, I think you can purchase a device to listen to the heartbeat (a fetal doppler) and it's fairly affordable. That way you can listen to the heartbeat everyday and put your mind at ease.

[Hidden in reply to Ell493]

This sounds interesting re the device too. I’ve had days where my symptoms stop and I think it would be so nice to be able to stop all my crazy worst case worries. Really appreciate your support. I’m definitely going to book a 10 wk scan x

[Orla9298]

We have booked one for NYE when we will be 10w1d for the exact same reason, I’m so anxious, no way can I sit tight all the way to the 12 week scan! Our first one was at 6w4d so I couldn’t bear to wait that long xx

[Hidden in reply to Orla9298]

I’m going to do the same for Christmas Eve - feels too long to wait doesn’t it. Great way to start 2021 too. I really appreciate your reply and reassurance and wish you all the best with your pregnancy xxxx

[Ivfgotadream]

I’ve also previously had a 12 week scan where no heartbeat was found. I had extra scans at 10 weeks this time so I could have someone with me just in case. I use a private maternity services clinic (the sort that arrange private births) as the scans are medical ones and carried out by the same doctors who work at my hospital. X

[alohalu]

Hi! I will be 8 weeks on Monday, and I won't have the NHS ultrasound until the 13th week. I talked with my husband yesterday and he agreed that we should do a private one during Christmas, it's just a long wait! I don't know how I could cope with the wait otherwise! Best luck with yours!

[Hk12]

Hello! I went for a scan in my 7th week.. and I’m travelling so will be going for a scan before the flight in my 8th week then will do another scan when I come back in my 9th week.. I asked whether it’s harmful in any ways to do scans this frequently but the doctor told me it’s fine as they really limit the time they spend doing it so it doesn’t raise temperature or anything. From the country where I come from, women on average gets 10 scans during pregnancy as ultrasounds are much cheaper and more easily accessible... I think getting the scan and getting reassurance is much better than worrying.. I read that it’s important to get scan done by an expert so I go to this place in central london where scans are done by a well known doctor in this field. If you need the name, I can send it through! Much cheaper than ones done at Harley street by a nurse.