Private Pregnancy Ultrasound on Westfield Health

ashli_2

Hi there, I have recently found out that I am in the very early stages of pregnancy and I would really like an early ultrasound as I will go bonkers if I have to wait another 8 weeks before I find out if all is well!

I have rang Westfield and they say that I am covered for 75% of the cost of a private ultrasound, IF I am refered to a consultant by my GP AND the consultant refers me for an ultrasound.

I have no experience of this as I wasn't covered first time round. Is referral to a consultant something that would normally happen in a healthy pregnancy? Can I request that this is done by my GP? Or is it something that will happen only if something goes wrong?

I would be very grateful if anyone with any experience of this could give me a clue!

Sorry for duplicate post, I have stuck this in Health and Beauty too as I wasn't sure where it would get the most responses.

Many thanks x

galvanizersbaby

Hi Ashli

I replied to your other thread x

Apricot

Ashli It is worth noting that before 6 weeks a scan will probably not be able to reassure you at all as no heartbeat can be seen - often all that can be seen at this early stage is a yolk sac which may be more worrying to you. If you are at all unsure about your dates I would probably say to book your scan for when you will be about 8 weeks as at least this will give you a chance to see an actual baby.

As far as I know your GP will only refer you if you are bleeding or having severe stomach pains, there are private companies such as Babybond who do early pregnancy reassurance scans - the costs are not excessive so maybe this would be worth looking into?

Bloomin_Freezing2

I think it would be best for you to look at Babybond or a similar company. I used Babybond for a 16 week scan.

You don't really get consultant care in pregnancy unless maybe there has been a problem or you have other health issues.

galvanizersbaby

Apricot wrote: »

Ashli It is worth noting that before 6 weeks a scan will probably not be able to reassure you at all as no heartbeat can be seen - often all that can be seen at this early stage is a yolk sac which may be more worrying to you. If you are at all unsure about your dates I would probably say to book your scan for when you will be about 8 weeks as at least this will give you a chance to see an actual baby.

As far as I know your GP will only refer you if you are bleeding or having severe stomach pains, there are private companies such as Babybond who do early pregnancy reassurance scans - the costs are not excessive so maybe this would be worth looking into?

I agree with Apricot - they may be able to detect a heartbeat before 6 week via ultrasound but I have had to have a scan this early in the past and they could only detect it using the vaginal scanner.
I have had this scenario in the past.

I had a private scan with this pregnancy at around 13 weeks following a bleed - it wasn't with Babybond but a private hospital and it cost 120 pounds to give a rough idea.

ashli_2

Thanks for your replies. I did suspect that this was the case but was hoping that it wasn't- I can't afford a private scan atm. I don't know how I'm going to hold out for 2 months until 12 weeks to find out if everything's ok....these are the perils of finding out you're pregnant before your period is even due!

narabanekeater

Ashli I was the same. I couldnt quite belive I was pregnant and have had previous Mcs
I had a babybond - less than £100 at 8 weeks and the reassurance was amazing. I went with a friend and left holding pictures of our little baby. DH couldnt get time off grrr but it really did make me feel so much better

Britwife

I just want to say I understand how you feel. I would just take one day at a time and try and find things to occupy your mind. It's not easy but you will get there faster than you think. I found out I was pregnant at 3 weeks 4 days, I am now 8+1. I have a scan set up for the 3 March and really am so excited.

PS Congrats!!!

pinkshoes

The 8 weeks will go VERY quickly...!

Nicki

I've had early scans with all 3 pregnancies (all paid for by me). They can't be sure of seeing a heartbeat, even using the internal scanner, until the 7th week of pregnancy anyway. I've had a scan at 6 weeks where no heartbeat was detected but it was beating away strongly 5 days later.

The other thing to bear in mind is that even if you see the heartbeat at 7 weeks, the pregnancy is still just as vulnerable until the 12 week mark has passed. So the reassurance if offers is only for that moment only. Usually the scanner will make it clear to you after the scan that it isn't a guarantee that all will be well. There is really very little to see at that point, as all the brain and body development takes place later on. By week 12 it is much more worthwhile.

If money is tight, I'd agree with the others that you should just hold tight and wait for the NHS 12 week one. Good luck with the pregnancy.

ema_o

Ashli, I felt exactly the same when I first found out that I was pregnant. I didn't think I could cope waiting the 12 weeks and this was added to by the fact that I had very few symptoms (I still don't apart from regular kicks in the ribs lol!).

I almost convinced OH that we should go for a private scan, we could have managed to pay for one, but at the back of my mind it was money that could be better spent on the baby rather than just on reassuring me! Add to this the fact that although (very sadly) things can go wrong, having the scan is just a reassurance at that moment in time (as mentioned by someone above) and doesn't prevent things from going wrong.

Try and hold tight for the 12 weeks. If there are any problems (bleeding, pains other than growing pains) the midwife would (usually) refer you for a scan on the NHS anyway, so if everything appears to be fine it probably is. Especially as you're only 4 weeks you still have time to develop symptoms which will reassure you anyhow!