Should I pay for a private scan?

[FinlaysMummy]

Hi everyone!!

I'm in a dilema and was wondering what you all thought I should do, any advice will be much appreciated!!

OK, I had my first midwifes appointment on Tue, did the usual things and filled in paperwork.

I asked her if I could have an early scan, as even though I have a healthy two year old, I had a miscarriage before Finlay and its made me mega paranoid and I can't stop worrying.

The midwife said I shouldn't worry (easier said than done!!) and that I'd had a healthy baby so the hospital wouldn't see me worrying as a valid enough reason to have a scan.

The problem is last time I miscarried I knew nothing about it until I went for a scan at 16 weeks and found out the baby had died at 9weeks old, I really don't want to go through that again. They let me have an early scan with Finlay at 9 weeks and it really helped me not to worry as much, which surely isn't good for a baby anyway.

Anyway, the midwife said if I'm still worrying when she comes to my house for the first proper appointment in 3 weeks she will see what she can sort out for me, but it will be at least another two weeks after that because of waiting times, which means it will be at least 5 weeks away! I think I will have driven myself insane by then.

So now I'm considering paying for a private scan. I've no idea how much they cost or where I can even have one done, but I really don't think I can wait till I'm 12 weeks pregnant just to find out if everything is OK or not.

DH thinks I'm being silly and we should just wait and that coming up to xmas the money will be better spent elsewhere.

I don't want to start telling people that we are pregnant till I know everything is ok, so I just don't know what to do.

I'm only 7weeks pregnant (and it could be a couple of weeks less), so is it a bit early to be thinking of scans?

Oh, I don't know what to do!!!

Sorry for waffling but any advice will be much appreciated!

 

[Jules]

I have been looking on the internet and the prices and services vary.... some are like £65 for 15mins and they go upto £200 for 30 mins for different things. try google'ing for a private clinic near youself xx good luck

 

[FinlaysMummy]

I've had a quick look, the prices really do vary!!!

I guess what I'm after is called a viability scan, they seemed to be offered between 9 and 14 weeks, so I'm still unseure whether to just have one or not!!

 

[Jules]

I know, i can't really afford to be paying out either when theres all the other baby stuff to pay for, i am hoping my midwife will put me in quicker for scan as i dont know my dates, could be 5 weeks or 8/9 not sure! I am definately going to pay for a 3d/4d one tho when i am alot further on fingers crossed.

If it puts your mind at rest i would just pay for one doing, you dont have to get an expensive one done, you said you just want to make sure the babys ok x

 

[tinytoes]

HI there!!!

Hows about just monitoring your symptoms - as long as you have them you're pregnant nO?

It is hard.
Where I'll be having my baby (mainland Europe, not UK) I've been told my first scan will be at 9 weeks which suits me fine.

I would be tempted to have an early scan if I were you - but really depends how tight money is. Afetrall, the scan wont change anything, except in your mind?

 

[staceymy]

hi. they do a 2d scan in barnsley for £55. its called babyview (google it)... i had my 4d scan done there and they were fantastic.

 

[FinlaysMummy]

Thanks Stacey

I've been ringing round places and the prices range from £129 to £319!!! Which is completely insane!!!

But I'll defo look at that one in Barnsley, £55 is affordable, anything over that is getting silly.

I guess havning the scan wont change anything, it will just put my mind at ease.

Was talking to DH on the phone and ended up arguing as he just couldn't understand why I was so bothered about having an early scan when the chances are I can have one at 12 weeks anyway. I tried to explain but he just didn't get it.

I just want to put my mind at ease so I can start enjoying the pregnancy instead of worrying all the time, I worried all the time with Finlay and I really missed out on enjoying the whole experience of being pregnant.

 

[Jules]

What do men know eh?!!! lol

Tell him it will stop you nagging him and he can have a quiet life for a while!

 

[FinlaysMummy]

Yeah that might work!! lol He'll do anything for an easy life so it might work!!

He says he's worried too but he still doesn't get why I can't wait.

I can't help being impatient can I?!!!

 

[Wobbles]

With recurrent miscarriages I was gutted to find out the private clinics will not give you an early scan for reassurance without charging you a couple of hundred - £200 for what they call a well being scan!

Even a dating scan is £150 - but it gives you no info bar the date! an Im sure it has to be 12 week minimum!
Sexing scan - £50.
4D scan - £85 but refused to do this until I'd had my 20 week scan at hospital.

 

[FinlaysMummy]

It's ridiculous isn't it!!

Both me and Jules have just contacted babyview, but they wont do any scans until 20 weeks, so thats no good.

So if anyone knows of anywhere up North that do reasonably priced early scans we would love to know!!

 

[Serene123]

Or just tell your doctor you're having pains and they'll scan you early?

 

[Serene123]

wobbles where did you get them prices from? i couldn't find any for the sexing scan!

 

[xCherylx]

Recently I had a small (very small) car accident no one was injured etc, but I was in such shock I was worried about the baby. I went to A&E and they said they wouldn't scan me and I was deverstated as they didn't even check the heartbeat...
When I asked my midwife she said that they should scan you if you are having pains or bleeding.
A white lie never hurt anyone to be honest... if it puts your mind at ease it is worth it!
Therefore I had a scan at 13 weeks and saw it waving and kicking, it was worth it.

 

[KarenLV]

It seems that it is cheaper to get a flight to another country on a budget airline and go for a scan there. I heard it can be quite cheap in Bangkok and the quality of the private clinics are quite good. So go for a short holiday and get your scan!