Taking sibling to 20 week scan at Kings

[Sally81]

Hi all,

Has anyone taken an older child along to the 20 week scan at Kings?

Firstly, does anyone know if kids are allowed?

I've been thinking of taking my 4 year old but now not so sure. He's really good and I'm confident he'll sit and be well behaved/quiet etc. I thought it would be nice for him to see that this brother/sister we keep going on about is really there!

But now I'm wondering if it will be frowned upon? Or worse, they won't let him in!

[simonethebeaver]

To be honest I wouldn't take another child to a scan because (a) I think they'd get quite bored pretty quickly and (b) if you get bad news - and the scan is essentially to check for problems - how would you deal with that AND your other child all at once? I think it's worth considering. I found the scan photo was proof enough of a sibling for mine.

[Mrs2013]

my son loved being there and the staff were very friendly. my spn was amazed to see the baby and learn the baby's sex along with us,

be prepared for a long wait. pack snack, ipad or games whatever can keep him busy. There's nando close by for dinner afterwards :)

[Mariamadeit]

I recently took my daughter (3) to the 20 week scan, we talked before hand about what would happen there, my husband was there too and she knew she had to sit with him. She behaved perfectly and the sonographers praised her all the way through. She really enjoyed seeing her baby bro/sis on the screen and it has made it more real for her.

[etta166]

What about compromising on 32 week scan. The 20 week scan could idenify problems (all 3 of mine did turn up small issues) so it's probably best not to have a sibling there if they are old enough to be able to absorb that kind of information.

The 32 week scan is more about growth from what I remember, although I had a lot of scans... so it should be a safer bet.

[Cora]

I would be wary incase of complications...for my third I took my mum along. Thought it would be something special that she wouldn't have experienced in her pregnancies but knew she could deal with any arising issues (which there were but luckily without consequence in the end!)

[mimosa]

My then two year old was a little bored and my partner had to take her out towards the end because she was being too fidgety. We took her as much because we didn't have child care as for her to see her sibling. They have two waiting areas there and both contain kids toys. I think it's pretty normal for kids to come along.

[Sally81]

Thank you for replying everyone. It's good to have read a few opinions from each side. Obviously my main concern would be receiving some bad news and him being there to hear etc. That does worry me. I know he'll be okay with the boredom/ waiting/behaving issues (just about!) so on balance I think I will take him. It's good to hear that others have done exactly that and the staff seem happy. I called the Harris birthright centre and was told it's perfectly fine to bring him. Fingers crossed it's a positive experience for all of us. Thanks again.

[standswithfist]

I took my daughter to our scan - she was 4 years old and was pretty good about it. she did start to get fidgety but the nurses were quite understanding. this was at kings.