Here in the UK, you don't get a scan until 12-14 weeks, unless you have problems (bleeding etc).
I paid privately for an early scan last pregnancy and it really put my mind at rest. I had decided not to get one this time and to just wait like everybody else..... but now I think I might book one! I really need to check everything is ok!!
What would you do?! 
grapefruit / 4321 posts
My OB does a dating scan at 6-8 weeks and the piece of mind of seeing a heartbeat is very important to me. So in your situation, yes I would pay privately.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
I'm used to at least a dating scan at 6-8 weeks if not a 12 wk nt scan as well so i would def pay in your situation for a private one! Ps. congrats!!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
How much would it cost out of pocket? If it was a reasonable amount, I would consider one around 8-9 weeks. 6-7 weeks there isn't much to see and not always a heartbeat which can cause unnecessary concern. A non-medical place may also have less sophisticated equipment.
coconut / 8483 posts
@Cherrybee: I would for sure if it was an option. (Not an option here in small town in Canada!!)
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
It depends how much! If it's not too much, I'd swing for one for a peace of mind. But if it's outrageous, I'd wait.
papaya / 10570 posts
Oh, its cheap! I paid £80 last time and there's a deal on at the moment so it will only be £40.
I'm definitely going for it! I just wondered if that would be the norm or if I'm a silly worrier! Most people here just wait for the 12-14 week NT scan!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
Oh yeah. With my history there's no way I could have waited.
persimmon / 1328 posts
I was the same and got a private one at 8 weeks the first time! This time I did manage to wait til 12 weeks - but would definitely have gone for it at £40! I had such strong nausea this time round that it helped reassure me a bit. I am having a hard time getting used to the huge gaps between apts for a second baby on the NHS - I've got one this week at 16 weeks, and then apart from the anatomy scan nothing til 28 weeks! I wanna hear the baby!
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I would. I was bummed that I wouldn't be able to get a scan until 13 weeks with this one, and had resigned myself to it (it would have cost me a lot more for a dating scan here), but I ended up in the ER with some bleeding, and the 13 week scan ended up being my 3rd 
But I was grateful for the reassurance, especially given the circumstances.
kiwi / 631 posts
I don't get one until 20 weeks with my doctor. I decided to do the first trimester screening mostly to get an extra one at 12 weeks, so we would know everything was okay. I've thought about going to one of those places in the mean time, but I don't know how I would feel not being around healthcare professionals if there was something wrong.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I did one at 9 weeks and paid $90, I think? Because i wanted to tell my new boss I was pregnant when I saw him, but my history makes me not trust the 6-12 week gap between scans
cantaloupe / 6791 posts
Definitely. After my loss, I needed the reassurance. I had dating scans at 6-7 weeks for both LOs and I would have gotten them privately if my OB didn't offer.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Depends on how much! I definitely liked the peace of mind of seeing that little heartbeat.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I didn't. My practice doesn't do a scan until 12 weeks unless there is an issue so that's what I did both times. I had pretty bad nausea both times by 6-8 weeks so that was plenty of reassurance for me, but it was really nice to see the baby at 12 weeks to prove there really was something there.
also I totally forgot you are pregnant and was like, is this an announcement?? Then went back and remembered I actually commented on your announcement. Pregnancy brain. It's a thing.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
Personally, no. I know ultrasounds are considered safe, but for me, the 12 week NT scan and 20-week anatomy scan were plenty and I didn't want anything my providers didn't think was necessary/recommended. I use a hospital-based midwife practice and they don't do early scans unless there's a real question about dates, something in the mother's medical history requires it, or there are indications of an issue (i.e. bleeding). Since I didn't have any of those things, I was totally fine with waiting.
persimmon / 1436 posts
Maybe? It would probably be pretty expensive here, I would guess at least $250...maybe more? I know my insurance is billed about $600 per scan, but I have no idea what my OBGYN office would charge me directly.
pomelo / 5326 posts
I for sure would pay for a private scan. I would not be able to wait 12 weeks.
pomelo / 5607 posts
Prior to my first loss I wanted as few as possible. Now I would absolutely pay for an early one of one wasn't offered.
cantaloupe / 6171 posts
@Cherrybee: Ahhhh I missed that you're pregnant, congrats!! To answer your question, I definitely would, it made me feel so much better
cantaloupe / 6630 posts
I would and will if we have another when we are back home. I did in my most recenr pregnancy too (didn't have insurance so had to pay for all my scans). Worth it for peace of mind.
pineapple / 12793 posts
I waited until 12 weeks for my first two. The waiting was hard.
With my third I got to have a dating scan and was excited to finally get that early scan, but it turned out that I was already ten weeks anyway.
I wouldn't pay for an early scan, but I'm not generally anxious about stuff. If it'll give you peace of mind and you can easily afford it, I'd just do it.
persimmon / 1045 posts
I agree with what @Torchwood said completely. With my LO I didn't want any more than was absolutely necessary, but going forward I'll be getting an early one to put my kind at ease during the first tri. All the best for your pregnancy!
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
Yes. I would absolutely pay for an early one.
Congratulations!!! 
persimmon / 1095 posts
My doctors office didn't do one 'til I went in at 11 1/2 weeks, I didn't see a need to try and do one sooner unless there was an issue.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I would! I was offered a dating scan (not typical here), but because we turned down the NT scan, our next wouldn't have been until 20 weeks.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
No. I didn't have a scan with my first until 24 weeks and ended up with several with my second before the anatomy one and wish I hadn't had those.
pomegranate / 3658 posts
My practice only offered a scan before 12 weeks if there was a medical reason, and I got one at six weeks because of history of miscarriage. But it turned out my insurance didn't cover much of it so I had to pay anyway. I wouldn't have gone and gotten one if it hadn't been recommended. It did really put my mind at ease to see that tiny heartbeat though.
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