Is there such a thing as too many scans?

I’m not sure about the beginning of pregnancy if there are greater risks. But I now (since about 24 weeks ish) have a scan every 3 weeks (high risk pregnancy) so if there’s a 3 week difference, that’s not too bad. I can’t comment on anything else though I’m afraid

I had one at 6,8,10 as well privately then had my 12 week scan. Then I had a 17 week gender scan. Then my 20 week scan at hospital and then a 4D scan at 28 weeks. I don’t think it can be that harmful because sometimes people get scanned very often for medical reasons etc and surely they wouldn’t allow that if it was harmful. That’s just my thoughts though 😊

I also had early losses and had a scan every week until around 14 weeks which a specialist (they booked me in), I then basically booked one in whenever my anxiety was getting the better of me which was sometimes weekly. I don’t think there’s a risk to the baby having too many scans, I always felt there was more risk if I was overly stressed!

@Sara ah okay you’ve had quite a few then! Also I was thinking, people that work in a hospital or scanning place probs scan themselves a fair bit as it’s just there and free!

@Katherine that’s what I was thinking! Sorry about your losses, I guess we have to do what we have to do in order to get through the anxiety and worry right!

I don’t think there’s too many, with my last I had scans at 7,10,12,14,17,20,27,30,34,35,37 weeks which reading that back seems a fair old lot 😂 4 where private scans, 1 EPU (had a bleed) and 4 growth scans and the 2 standard NHS scans! With this pregnancy I have had just one early private scan at 8 weeks and my NHS one is dead on 12 weeks 😊

In France, you get 1 scan per month, mandatory from day 1, then more closer to birth. So if you're worried about too many scans for the baby's health, I would say don't (though I'm not a doctor so do check!). What you do need to be careful with is tipping into paranoia and inducing stress and anxiety to yourself by "not seeing" baby. Soon you'll be able to get a heart monitor, maybe that will help ease the stress? Good luck either way, I'm sure baby is doing great ☺️

I don’t know what the implications are to having lots of ultrasounds. I think private scans it’s making sure that their accurate and don’t lead to more anxiety as you wait the next NHS scan. I think you should to speak to your midwife and also maybe get support regarding the anxiety - it may help you as you progress in your pregnancy. After losses I can imagine how precious this pregnancy is but you also don’t want anxiety to impact you enjoying it too.

When I went for my private scan, the paperwork I had to fill out recommended leaving 2 weeks between scans. I can’t remember the reason but I think it was something to do with some studies showing risk from ultrasound exposure with increased scans but like you say some people have regular ones for bleeding etc so not exactly sure how reliant the info is. I’m think I’ll just make sure at least 2 weeks are left between scans but I know it can be hard having previous loss/es xx

@Tasha was that window to the womb? So far they are the only ones that have said 2 weeks but that 1 week is also fine. I’ve booked another but it’s 10 days from my last scan so in the middle xx

@Ella the place I went was called baby scan and beyond. Yeah that should be fine especially if they’ve advised 1 week is fine xx

The NHS recommend 2 weeks between scans but then I know that they also scan people 1 week later if they can’t get a good growth scan etc

I’m a high risk pregnancy due to a shock cancer diagnosis of the placenta which resulted in the loss of my previous pregnancy at 20w. I’m 10+2 and have already had 4 NHS scans. I will continue to have 4 weekly scans until my due date, have 1 booked in at 11w then 10 days later I have my 12w dating scan 😊 I would always check with your midwife though. Have you been referred to a consultant/recurrent miscarriage clinic if you’ve had several losses? X

@Chloe oh wow, sorrry to hear that 😭 great you are doing okay so far this time. Yeah am checking with my midwife tomorrow but sounds like lots of people do have to do it. I was part of a recurrent miscarriage clinic but they discharged me as soon as all the tests they did came back normal😅 also I’ve moved since so not bothering with them x