Early private scans - worth it?

[Jennifurball]

Didn't want to hijack hmcarthys thread so was just wondering, by the time I can afford a private scan next week, I will be 7+2 gone - I found one for £99.

Are they worth it because I don't want to be paying that money to receive receive bad news, but at the same time, or do I wait until Nov for an NHS 12 week scan?

If they do happen to find a heart beat at this early stage, does that mean my M/C risk has gone?

I am so torn, I was considering a private scan but even moreso now! I can't wait until November, it is ages away. Is there a risk that they could miss the heartbeat at this stage? I just need to know if my babe is ok.

 

[babybeegurl]

I want one but im boyfriend wants me to wait for the proper scan as his opinion is what will be will be. I would pay any amount fo money to know what was inside me was safe and doing well. Im terrified of getting to 12 weeks to get bad news xx

 

[Siuan]

I didn't have a private scan, but the one I had in the EPU at 9 weeks due to some slight bleeding did wonders to set my mind at rest.

We could see baby's HB and could tell that absolutely everything was fine. It certainly helped me get through to the 12 week scan anyway.

Just one thing though - I thought I was 12 weeks at my 9 week scan before they scanned (actually, I thought I probably wasn't as far as 12 weeks, but midwives had made it that by LMP) so just be aware, you may not be as far along as you think just yet. I would def recommend an earlier scan, but be prepared for baby to be smaller than you think (just in case he/she is smaller ) Also, at 9 weeks, my scan had to be internal - another thing to mention just in case you're worried about that too

 

[Star7890]

I had one at 9+5, it was the perfect time to have one because bubs looked more like a baby rather than a blot on the screen! And we got to hear and see the heartbeat. I would deffo recommend... we paid 96 pounds and got some pics with that and it really settled my nerves.. If you can.. wait a few more weeks, you could always book it now so you have a date to look forward to xxx

 

[Shoogle]

I went for one at 8+1 and we saw the heartbeat and saw everything is fine. It was a relief as I feel I can now enjoy the pregnancy a bit more. I think I read that if you have seen the heartbeat by 8ish weeks that the mc rate goes down to 5% but I could be wrong on that statistic.

 

[Jennifurball]

Thank you for your replies.

Do I have to pay now if I book it? Just in case I book it and the worst happened in the meantime?

Just wish I could feel positive! Argh!!

 

[kat2504]

It doesn't mean your mc risk has gone but if they see a heartbeat and you are not bleeding or anything, your risk becomes very low. In the past I have paid to get bad news, but at least I could get it over with quickly at 8 weeks rather than getting all the way to 12 weeks and finding out then.

It is worth it for peace of mind if you can afford it. But don't bother with it until at least 8 weeks. 8-9 is a good time for an early scan and if the result is good it will reassure you and 8 weeks is exactly half way between the 4-12 week waiting period.

 

[kat2504]

x-posts. When I had one with Babybond I paid a 30 pound deposit and the rest on the day.

Another time I went with a different company and paid them on the day. They were a local company and cheaper than babybond.

 

[Shoogle]

I put down a £30 deposit and you pay the rest on the day. Before the scan though.

 

[FlowerFairy]

I have one booked for this Thursday, cost £65 and we've paid £30 deposit when I booked. I just want to see the Hb and we wont to tell my eldest who is 9 and it's getting harder not to mention stuff in front of him so if there is a HB at 8+2 on Thurs I am happy to tell him xx

 

[NewlyMarried]

I have been advised to wait till 8 weeks also.

If you see a HB and have no bleeding at 8 weeks the risks are no higher than at 12 weeks so I think that is going to be such reassurance.
But if you do it at 7 weeks i think youll still be nervous and it wont be worth the cost.
I think im lucky though because where i live its only £55
x

 

[singers_love]

I have had MC previously, I have s EPU scan on Friday, I was 7 + 2 I saw a HB and the Sonograph said everything was fine, I am assuming that as I saw a HB everything will be fine now, and I saw the Stat of once you see the hb it goes down to 5% so lets keep our fxd!

If you want to pay for a scan, wait as long as you can! that way you wont have to wait as long for the next one!

 

[Jennifurball]

Ok, I will *try* and wait until 8 weeks.

I have only looked at one site so far, it is a pretty little clinic in the city centre so the price will obv. be a lot more, I am sure if I shop around I will find something better. I will have a proper look tonight.

I really do need to do this. OH said no, we need to save but I would sooner do this now than save up to 12 weeks and get the news I fear.

Bit of a long shot, but I had a chemical miscarriage in June, could that not count in getting an earlier scan on NHS?

 

[kat2504]

No, sorry the NHS won't give you an earlier scan for that I'm afraid. Usually it is after at least two miscarriages, some really mean EPUs only allow it if you have had three. However, if you have any symptoms of a miscarriage, they will see you anyway.

 

[Jennifurball]

Thanks.

I will try and get one booked for 5th Oct before/after my midwife appt, I should be 8.5 weeks then and I can just take the one day off work.

 

[amore]

I didn't have a private scan, but the one I had in the EPU at 9 weeks due to some slight bleeding did wonders to set my mind at rest.

We could see baby's HB and could tell that absolutely everything was fine. It certainly helped me get through to the 12 week scan anyway.

Just one thing though - I thought I was 12 weeks at my 9 week scan before they scanned (actually, I thought I probably wasn't as far as 12 weeks, but midwives had made it that by LMP) so just be aware, you may not be as far along as you think just yet. I would def recommend an earlier scan, but be prepared for baby to be smaller than you think (just in case he/she is smaller ) Also, at 9 weeks, my scan had to be internal - another thing to mention just in case you're worried about that too

Hi, slightly off topic.

I hope you dont mind me asking but I was just wondering why they had to do an internal scan? With ds I had my nhs scan at 9 weeks which was external and we didnt have any problems. I will have a 9 week scan with this one and just assumed it would be external again. I really hope so as I hate the thought of an internal scan. Maybe it is dependant on the shape of your uterus x

 

[Jennifurball]

I think the poster said she was in for an emergency scan so didn't have water before for the regular u/s.

I am not fussed which way they do it so long as my sweetpea is ok.

 

[Mon_n_john]

Internal scans don't hurt at all. Honestly you don't even notice the wand is in there much and the picture is much clearer.

 

[Jennifurball]

Spoke to OH and at first he is like, why do you want to pay £100 when you can wait until 12 weeks like everyone else? I said not everyone else does wait! So I have decided to go ahead, can only book it next Monday but I have spied a few slots on Sunday 2nd Oct so we can both go without having to tell work, just hope everything is ok because we have work the next day. I will be 8+1.

 

[readytotry]

Popping over from 2nd tri.

I had one at 10 weeks for various reasons (e.g. wasn't sure oh could make 12 week) and didn't think it was worth it - 12 week scan was so much better. Also, when I was in first tri there were a lot of posts about people who didn't get to see heartbeat at 7 weeks but did a week later. Wait as long as you can...