Anger as expectant parents for pictures of their unborn babies as NHS trust limits families to three snaps

Expectant parents are furious after an NHS trust revealed it is making them pay for ultrasound photos.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust confirmed from September 1 patients need to cough for the scan images.

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It costs £5 for one photo, £7 for two and £10 for three scanned photos, reports Kent Online.

There are no refunds if the parent is unhappy with the snap.

The MTW maternity page states: “Photographs will be available at routine first trimester and abnormality screening appointments.

“You must purchase the ticket for your baby photo before your scan appointment, please take your time.

“The machine is in the waiting area – you cannot buy photos in the scanning room.

“We regret that we cannot offer a refund if you are not satisfied with the image. The maximum is three photos per scan appointment.”

The Trust confirmed it doesn’t offer any shots later in pregnancy as babies “grow too big to be photographed well”.

They also warned that patients could receive similar images even though the sonographer “does his best” to take a good picture.

The decision has sparked outrage from expectant parents after the trust was posted on social media.

One said: “How pathetic asking people to have a scan photo of their own baby.”

While another wrote: “The problem with this is that when I was pregnant with my son I couldn’t get a decent photo where you could see him properly or clearly.

“If I had paid for it I would be angry if I couldn’t get a refund if the photos aren’t good.”

A spokesman for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said: “All pregnant baby scans are provided free of charge at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) ​​as part of their maternity care and have always been.

“Like many other NHS trusts, we will be charging a small fee from September for those who want a hard copy of their baby scans.”

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