Pregnancy // Window to the Womb, Doncaster (Part One)

We’ve never had an early gender scan before. We usually wait for the NHS 20 week scan… with a huge countdown until the day arrives!

However, I’m not the most patient of people, and I’ve been especially impatient during this pregnancy to a) know that everything is still ok with Bun, and b) know the gender of my growing bump. So, I was very excited when we were invited along to Window to the Womb in Doncaster for our gender scan (and I think Nick was quite thankful that I’d finally stop going on about Old Wives Tales and peeing in baking powder).

Window to the Womb in Doncaster is run by Maria, who has two lovely little boys. The clinic was easy to find, and in the beautiful surroundings of Woodfield Park, which also has a gorgeous Victorian tea room for celebratory cake after your scan.

As soon as we arrived, we were made to feel very welcome. The clinic is beautiful and bright, with lots of toys for waiting siblings to play with. It was very family friendly, and because of this, we’ve decided to take the children with us to our 4D scan in September.

We didn’t have to wait long until we were taken into the sonographer’s room which was huge, with comfy sofas for relatives to sit on, and big screens on each wall so everyone can see.

Since our missed miscarriage last autumn, I’m always anxious while the sonographer gets set up and searches for the baby. I scrunched my eyes shut and held tightly onto Nick’s hand. But thankfully, the sonographer found Bun quickly and made sure everything was ok.

Before we found out whether Bun was a boy or a girl, the sonographer did a reassurance check to make sure Bun was growing well. She checked the heart, brain and searched for limbs. Everything looked wonderful, even though Bun wasn’t exactly playing ball (we grow awkward babies who don’t like scans)!

And then it was time to find out…

I closed my eyes, preparing myself to hear the words: “It’s a boy” (this pregnancy has been almost identical to H-Bear’s, so I was convinced we were having another boy!)

But instead she said:

“It’s a girl!”

“ARE YOU SURE?!” I exclaimed, more than a little shocked!

“Yes… I can re-check, but I’m certain it’s a girl”

“Oh my goodness! I was CERTAIN you were going to say boy!”

The sonographer re-checked, and there were definitely girl parts!

“A girl! A GIRL?! ANOTHER GIRL!?!” I grinned at Nick.

It was a huge surprise – but the BEST surprise – because I’d been so adamant Bun was another boy! It was like a double whammy of joy!

The sonographer switched to 4D for the last part of the scan to take a few more photos. Although Bun was looking skinny and slightly alien-like, it was amazing to see the baby she’s developing into. It made me even more excited for our 4D scan soon!

After the scan, we were taken back into the waiting room while our photos and video uploaded onto the computer. I took this as an opportunity to pee as I’d drunk SO much water! Then we settled down to choose our four complimentary photos to be printed.

I loved scrolling through the photos, and watching the video of Bun from the scan. Window to the Womb have a fantastic free app called ‘Bumpies’ where your photos and videos are uploaded to your account, so you can keep them with you wherever you go. I’ve found myself watching the video over and over again (it helps make it all real!) and Busby has also taken an interest in looking through the photos and watching the video.

The Gender Scan costs £59, which includes four pictures, a 4D sneaky peek, a quick reassurance scan and of course, finding out the gender. Window to the Womb in Doncaster is open 4 days a week (Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday); fantastic if you need to book a scan around work or childcare.

We had such a fantastic experience at Window to the Womb and we can’t wait to return for our 4D scan at around 28 weeks. Also, I’m so thankful we had our gender scan with Window to the Womb, as our NHS scan isn’t until this coming weekend when I’ll be 21 weeks – and there’s NO way I could have waited to find out without driving Nick completely up the wall!

A huge thank you to Maria and the whole of the team at Window to the Womb for being so friendly and making our experience a wonderful one. We can’t wait to come back.

You can find your local Window to the Womb clinic and the range of scans on offer on the Window to the Womb website.

Hannah