private scan - then NHS 12 wk scan cancelled?

[natz123]

Hi Girls... I had a private scan when I was around 8 weeks, the scan put me forward about 5 days from my original EDD, which i wasnt surpirsed about.

I have my first midwife appointment on Monday, but I am worried about telling her that I have had a private scan as a friend told me she has heard of people having their 12 week scan cancelled. Apparently the 12 week is just to check there is a baby there and that everything is in the right place, and this would have been confirmed in the private early scan so there isnt any need.

Has anyone had this happen to them? I would like to tell my midwife about my private scan so she knows my real dates, but dont want to risk getting my 12 week scan cancelled.

Thank you!

 

[Angela49uk]

I dont know regarding this, all I can tell you is what happened to me.

At 9 weeks, I had to have an emergency scan on the NHS due to pains i'd been having. The scan went well and everything was as it should have been. I was still booked in for a 12 week scan as well.

I don't think they can tell you your not entitled to one because you've had one done privately. You are still entitled to a 12w and 20w scan on NHS xx

 

[donna-c-86]

if ur having an NT test for downs syndrome then they have to do this on ur 12 week scan anyway so I doubt they would cancel it

 

[Torianna]

When I had my booking in appt at 6wks (with my first baby) we mentioned we'd booked a private scan for 8wks. The mw said to let her know the results so I wouldnt need an NHS scan. I was surprised that I would miss out on my NHS scan but didnt say anything. I was paying £100 for the reassurance, and wanted it again at 12 wks. I later spoke to the mw to explain I still would feel much better about having the 12 wk scan as well and I did get it, but the NHS is under no obligation to give you one if you've chosen private beforehand.

 

[ummar]

Due to the fact that I had spotting at 4 weeks and 8 weeks and 11 weeks, I had 2-3 scans on the NHS (Early Pregnancy Unit) before my 12 week scan. Despite the fact that my last scan was at 11 weeks, my scan at 12+3 was not cancelled.

The 12 week scan is a very lengthy, thorough scan and they check many things such as the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities. It shouldn't be cancelled just because you had an early scan just to check if baby is ok.

If I were you, I would not mention to anyone in the NHS that you had a private scan beforehand. There's no need and you never know if they might use it against you. Why take the risk?

 

[AP]

I have heard its possible hun, and part of me feels its fair enough as the NHS are pushed to the extremes as it is.

I was another who had a scan at 10 weeks on the dot. (from the EPU) because of this, the NHS were under obligation to give me the 12 week scan. I was warned by the EPU i could be turned away. The cut off was that if you had a scan at 10 weeks+ at the EPU, this would be taken as the dating scan.

 

[ummar]

At the EPU, they only measure the baby to check if it's growing to date, check the heartbeat to see if it alive, and check if there are any complications in the environment of the uterus. It is a very short check-up in my experience.

My 12 week scan was not just a dating scan, but also an extensive check of the baby's organs, the chromosomal abnormality risk, etc. I was in there for almost 1.5 hours during my 12+3 week scan.

It might just be that the hospital I go to is different, but I just wanted to say the 12 week scan can be very detailed and extensive.

 

[My_First]

My Midwife told me the same thing, and said not to tell the sonographer. HOwever our first scan was a dating scan, and as long as you ask for a NT scan, tehn they will give it you. I think its only if you ask for a dating scan. Although, in all fairness, do they really need to know you had an early scan?

 

[oxfairycakexo]

I remember with my son, I had some cramping and bleeding at about 8 weeks so had an emergency scan. Still had a letter to go for my 12 week scan though. However, when I turned up for it they wouldn't scan me because I'd had the emergency scan 4 weeks earlier. I argued with the receptionist that I had still received the letter to attend so why was I not allowed the scan? In the end they just sent me in to see the midwife, she asked a few questions about how I'd been feeling since the cramping/bleeding and decided that I would not be having another scan until 20 weeks Really unfair IMO.

 

[natz123]

Thanks girls! you have helped me make up my mind. I dont think im going to risk it.
Like some of you said there is no real benefit from them knowing, there wasnt anything wrong on my early scan that they need to be warned about.
Its ridiculous, we all pay so much into the system and hardly ever ask for anything back so we shouldnt be penalised for wanting early reassurance!

Thank you xxx

 

[Tasha360]

my midwife told me if you have a scan after 9 weeks you wont need a 12 week scan unless youve had any problems xx

 

[leash27]

This must differ depending on where you live because I was told that if you have any private scans, the NHS still have to scan you for their own records as the purpose of the 12 week scan is to date the pregnancy. They cannot be sure of the credibility of the private scan really can they?

I had a private scan at 16+4 but it was just a gender scan so all they really look for is the sex of LO. I told my MW and she just said 'Well you will probably have it confirmed at your 20 week scan'.

At the end of the day, we pay our taxes so we should all be entitled to the 12 weeks scan whether you have chosen to have a private one or not. I had 2 scans at the EPU and was told I would not have a 12 week scan but I mentioned it to my MW and she said I would. Sure enough, the letter came and I went.

If you are worried then dont mention it!

X

 

[mummy2be123]

i wouldnt take the risk x

 

[ellieb31]

I had a private one at 7 weeks and mentioned it to the MW and told her that I still wanted the NHS one and she said that's fine - maybe because I want the NT side of it as well. My appointment says it will take up to 2 hours so it is clearly more thorough that what they did privately.

I think it's damn cheeky to not let you have an NHS one just because you've paid to have one privately - I did it because I was paranoid and 5 weeks on I'm going to need that reassurance again and I can't afford to go private again.

I'd probably not have mentioned it if I had read this thread first!!

 

[mas]

I have been toying with the idea of having an early private scan,

I honestly think reassurance is very important especially if one is getting very stressed, i doubt however I will tell NHS after reading this thread,

In my last pregnancy I had a scan at 6 weeks another at 7 and another at 12/13 there was no question due to early bleeding.

I do understand NHS is swamped like one person said, but i also pay my taxes and I feel its my right to have a scan at 12 weeks, what I do privately should not effect that unless I specifically ask for it or if its harmful to the baby.

hugzz to all

mas

5weeks 2 days!