So, you’re pregnant. Or you think you are. Maybe you’ve done a test, or three. Maybe you’re waiting to tell people, or you’ve already blurted it out to your mum.And now you’re wondering: “When am I actually going to see my baby?”

Let’s be straight. There’s loads of different stories out there. Your neighbour might say she got an early scan at seven weeks. Someone else will tell you the NHS doesn’t do anything until week 12. What’s the truth?

Here’s what actually happens for most families in Bolton.

If you’re really keen (and a bit impatient), or you’ve had a bumpy ride before, you can get an early scan. You book it yourself at a private clinic—places like Chequers Health do lots of them. They’ll see you from about six or seven weeks onwards.

Why do it? Sometimes it’s because you just can’t wait. Sometimes you’ve had worries in the past. For some, it’s just to see that tiny flicker and hear, “Yep, there’s a heartbeat.” I’ve known mums who’ve gone for peace of mind, only to be told, “Come back in a week or two, it’s too early!” But for many, even that tiny dot on the screen is enough to breathe a sigh of relief.

If you’re under six weeks, hang on for a while. Otherwise, you might go home feeling more anxious, not less

Most of us, though, start with the classic NHS scan. The hospital aims for somewhere between 11 and 14 weeks.

This one’s called a “dating scan”—it’s when they check how far along you are, measure your baby, and look at their heartbeat. This is the first time most parents see that wiggling little figure on the screen.

Don’t forget to drink water before you go in. They’ll want a full-ish bladder to get a clear picture (not fun if you’re already feeling sick, but worth it for that photo).

It’s a big moment. Some people get emotional. Some laugh. Most go home with a blurry black-and-white picture and a date for their diary.

Some parents only want the NHS ones. That’s totally fine.

But if you want more? Private clinics in Bolton will book you in for:

• Early “reassurance” scans (from 6–10 weeks)
• Gender scans (from 16 weeks, sometimes earlier)
• Growth or wellbeing scans (later on, if you just want to know everything’s ticking along)
• Keepsake 3D/4D scans (mainly for memories and family)

A lot of working mothers like that private clinics do evening and weekend slots. Handy if you can’t get time off, or want your partner or kids to come.

Just when you’ve got used to waiting, there’s another biggie at around 20 weeks—the anomaly scan. This one takes longer and the sonographer checks all your baby’s insides and outsides.

It’s detailed and sometimes a bit nerve-racking, but most families leave with good news and a bigger sense that this is really happening.

Short answer? Yes. NHS, RCOG, and every midwife I’ve met say you don’t need to worry about too many scans. Ultrasound isn’t like an X-ray, and private clinics use the same type of machine.

• 6–7 weeks: Private early scan, if you want it (heartbeat, mostly a dot)
• 12 weeks: NHS dating scan—the first “proper” baby photo
• 16+ weeks: Gender scan, if you’re eager to know
• 20 weeks: NHS anomaly scan (big one)
• Later: Growth or keepsake scans if you want them, private or NHS if you have a medical reason

No two families do it the same. Your friend might book four scans. You might be happy with just the NHS. Both are fine.

Don’t stress about doing what everyone else does. Some families want loads of scans, some want as few as possible. Do what helps you feel calm.

If you ever feel lost—about timings, cost, or anything else—ask your midwife, ring up a clinic, or chat to mums at your next check. Everyone’s got their own story.