Miracle Inside - Private Early Gender Scan

Hey Everyone,

A bit of a different one today! I will be doing a review on my experience at Miracle Inside where we went for our Early Gender Scan.

After our first 12 Week Scan, we had decided to just wait till our next NHS scan to find out the Gender however, soon after, Covid-19 started to become more serious, there were talks of our scan getting postponed and I was told Zac wouldn't be able to come in the hospital with me. So we decided to book in for an early scan so we could find out the gender together!

Zac did some research and found a place in Hunslet, about a 20 minute drive from us and at the time they had some offers on for the month of March. We managed to book in for the day after for only £35! Which seemed very good as most I could see were around £50+ elsewhere.

The booking process was very easy and their website was very simple to navigate. I also noticed they did Saturday and evening appointments (9:00AM - 7:00PM) which was obviously great for couples who worked and needed a scan out of the normal working hours. We booked in for Friday 20th of March 2020 and was informed it would be a 15/20 minute session of which looked at the position of the baby and also the gender if desired. There was also the option for them to confirm it on a piece of paper without you seeing in case you didn't want to know.

It's good to note that you can't book in for this scan until you are 15 Weeks + 2 Days as seeing you before this may mean they can't see the sex of the baby clearly. Luckily i was 15 Weeks + 4 Days!

Upon arriving, due to the Covid-19 situation I had to telephone in to let them know we were outside and they came and met me at the entrance with a form to fill out. I then had to sit in my car until they rung us back to confirm when we could go in. The whole process was very smooth and professional and because of the uncertainty of this awkward time, it made us feel more at ease as social distancing measures were in place.

I had to inform them of all the details about my pregnancy including my expected due date and any symptoms I had. I also had to agree that even though they were fully trained sonographers, they weren't able to make any 'recommendations' if they saw anything and couldn't 'refer' me to the hospital, they could only inform us of anything they saw for us to then take that further.

As we entered the building after being greeted in the entrance, it was a very calm and quiet atmosphere and we were guided to a room which had a very nice ambience and environment making us feel very welcomed and relaxed. There was a big screen in front of a seat for Zac to watch and then a smaller screen in front of the bed also. Our sonographer was lovely and asked loads of questions which made me feel extremely comfortable and proceeded to show us our little bubba!

As she navigated her way, she confirmed everything was looking fine which is always such a big relief when you're pregnant. I know its not just me but I am just always worrying and panicking something may be wrong which is completely normal! But it was nice to hear that everything looked fine and I was measuring perfect from what the first scan at the hospital had confirmed.

She then asked if we was ready to find out the gender and asked us what we thought it was. All along I had a gut feeling it was a boy. So much so up until about a week before, I hadn't thought about it being a girl. I started doubting myself and then almost convinced myself it was a girl. Zac had it in his head it was a boy and would always call him a he. But obviously either way we didn't mind and was happy with either!

Whilst I was watching the screen, I did think I saw something which confirmed it was a boy when she was showing us each part of the body but when she confirmed it was a boy, I was still beaming with happiness and I remember trying to look at Zac as he was at the side of me but he was just staring at the screen, in a bit of disbelief I think! After showing us very clearly that it was a boy, there was no doubt they had made a mistake, she finished off by showing us a sneak peak of a 4D scan. Unfortunately, because my placenta is at the front, he was squished right in it so you couldn't really see much of his face but it was still so nice to see partially!

She then let me get sorted and take it all in with Zac for a few moments whilst she went off to get the scan photos. We was then guided into another room to wait and two more ladies greeted us asking if we was happy and what gender the baby was.

Included in our package was two scan photos. You could also add different things on including a Disc full of the images, a teddy with your babies heartbeat inside, Keyrings and extra images and they also had options for you to buy gender reveal balloons and cannons which were all ranging from £5-25. We already had a balloon so didn't need to get anything but they also gave us a free gift bag which came with a MAM bottle and dummy, a Journal and a disposable nappy bin. This was really nice as around this point I hadn't bought anything so it was a nice added touch from them that we weren't expecting. We was also given a leaflet which gave us information about the other scan packages they had on offer.

We left feeling so happy and content. Not only because we knew the sex of the baby but because the experience was so nice we were just very happy and thankful for the warm welcoming and treatment. Comparing it to the NHS scan we had recently it was 10x better and more personal.

I was that happy with the service that I have since then recommended it to two friends who have also booked in with them for scans and I thought I would include a little review from them.

''I went in March for an early pregnancy scan. The place was really easy to find and really well presented. As my scan was during the lockdown period I had to wait in my car to be called in for my appointment and extra hygiene measures were in place throughout. The sonographer was really welcoming and polite. She began the scan and looked for what she needed to find and took the measurements she needed. Once she’d done that, she then switched the large screen on and me and my partner were able to see our baby (which looked a bit like a baked bean at the time) and were also able to see and hear our baby’s heartbeat.

At the time I believed I was 7 weeks pregnant, however, the sonographer told us that baby measured at 6 weeks and 5 days. Along with this, she also talked me through how my ovaries looked (healthy apparently) and provided me with a full report, which covered all details of the scan. Included in the price was also 2 black and white scan photos and a disc which contained all the photos she took. Both me and my partner were really happy with our experience and we will definitely be returning later on in this pregnancy to see baby again!!'' Becky Jowsey

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''I have used miracle inside twice now. They made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. Was also very welcoming. All the staff were lovely and talkative. I used miracle inside for my gender scans the first time I found out I was having a little girl and then I recently found out that I am having a baby boy. I would encourage anyone wanting a gender scan to go to miracle inside as it was such an a amazing experience.'' Taylor Jay

So as you can see, our private scan was worth it! Due to this lockdown, I know a lot of first time mums have been going to scans and appointments on their own which means they might be a lot more nervous than usual and that their partners may be feeling left out. If you can, I would highly recommend booking in for a private scan as most places are still going ahead with them and allowing one visitor with you. I know Miracle Inside aren't currently offering the 'Early Gender Scan' package because its not deemed as 'essential' however, their other packages including the reassurance ones confirm the gender if you want them to as long as you are over 15 Weeks + 2 Days!

We are un-decided about if we will be going back for a 4D Scan or not. Part of me wants it to be a huge surprise when he's here but then part of me can't wait that long! So we will have to see how we feel within the next few weeks as I am currently only 24 Weeks. It will also depend on whether they start offering them again as at the moment you can't book them online.

Miracle Inside also offer blood tests for various things and they also offer packages which include a range of scans throughout your pregnancy which may work out cheaper if you book them all at once. All their staff are Certified & Registered and they use state of the art equipment for every ultrasound. All the Sonographers are HCPC registered and are members of the Society of Radiographers & the British Medical Ultrasound Society.

I would highly recommend them and couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Please let me know if you end up booking a scan through them after reading this post!

Thank you for reading,

Chloe x