Reassurance scan or not?

[OceanView]

Hey

I've just found out a on Monday that I'm pregnant. I'm considering booking in for a private scan around the 8 week mark but not sure if I should or not.

I had a MMC in 2010 and then fell pregnant and went on to have DD in 2011. I spent the first 3 months of my pregnancy with DD terrified it would happen again but it obviously didn't. However, I'm now back with that horrible feeling that something will go wrong in this pregnancy.

I'm torn by wanting to have an attitude of what will be will be and that actually a reassurance scan wouldn't have any impact on whether this baby will be healthy or not and wanting someone to tell me everything is fine.

Does anyone have any experience? Would you recommend it?

[Sophia1984]

Congratulation! And sorry to hear about your miscarriage. It certainly makes the first 12 weeks nerve-wracking. I had an early miscarriage at 7 weeks which was detected when I got a scan after a tiny drop of blod. I then got pregnant a few months later and was very anxious about the pregnancy until 20 weeks, and am still moderately anxious now! (22 weeks)

I have a history of health anxiety which means I seek reassurance A LOT but I've managed not to have any extra scans than the NHS ones, and I think that has been the right decision for me. Personally, I think having the scans would only have given me momentary reassurance, but I would have started worrying again within days. Sadly, as we both know, something being 'fine' one day doesn't mean it will be the next, and we somehow have to cope with that level of uncertainty. On the other hand, the chance of miscarriage after a heartbeat at 8 weeks drops massively, so if you feel like you can't hold out till 12 weeks, it could help. Then again, the wait between 12 weeks and 20 weeks can be tougher, and if you find other ways to cope with the uncertainty, I think that can be better.

[FuzzyOwl]

Congratulations on your pregnancy and sorry for your earlier loss.

I had a mmc in 2014 and then a healthy baby last year. I am now pregnant again (just over eight weeks) and have no symptoms other than occasional cramping/stretching, no period and feeling a little more tired than normal. I am much too scared to go for a reassurance scan. It is so silly but I just can't face it and am going to wait for the 12 week one and hope I can make myself go to it.

[kiki22]

If you can afford it I don't think there's any harm in it. I had a spontaneous mc in my first pregnancy, my second pregnancy I then had a bleed about 6/7 weeks so went for a scan luckily was fine, my current pregnancy I waited until the nhs scan at 13+5 just because of the cost of private scans and it felt like forever by 11/12 weeks I worried myself crazy. I think looking back I should have just gone at 8/9 weeks to bridge the gap it deff helped my anxiety getting the 6 week scan with my son even though it was for a bleed it was only another 7 weeks until my nhs (I also went private at 16 and 30 weeks for gender and 4d)

[OceanView]

I think the only reason I'm thinking a maybe shouldn't is basically what Sophia said. It would give me reassurance for a day or two and then I'd probably end up just as anxious again by the time a few days had passed.

I'm going to mull it over the next few days and make a definite decision. God only knows what that'll be and how many times I'll change my mind between now and then.

[kiki22]

I did still worry a lot in between but it never got the the fever pitch it did with this pregnancy waiting longer the photo of DS looking like a bean literally gave me hope to hold on to, luckily this time ive felt movement from 15 weeks once you feel movement you will feel much better.

[OceanView]

That was when I was more at ease during my pregnancy with DD. 17 weeks I felt her move and then I was able to relax into it a bit more.

The 12 week scan gave me reassurance but I was still scared.

[LBOCS2]

I had a private reassurance scan at 9 weeks with this pregnancy because I've previously had 3 miscarriages at or before 9wks. For me that felt like the milestone to get past, and it genuinely did give me some reassurance that I had made it that far.

In my last pregnancy, because of my history I had fortnightly scans to 20 weeks. I didn't find them particularly helpful as my stress levels would just ramp up as the next scan approached.

I think it very much depends if you see a certain point as your 'danger zone', or whether it'll only give you reassurance for a very small time period at which point it will start bothering you again.

[OceanView]

I've had a look and there is a clinic just round the corner from my work and have spoken to DP who is on board.

I think we're just going to go for it.

[kiki22]

That's great you have decided. Hopefully you will get some nice early movement to help you feel better too

[OceanView]

Thank you. Three and a bit weeks to go. So much better than 7 and a bit.

[OceanView]

They got back to me today. All booked in for just over 3 weeks. Feel a bit of relief now it's sorted.

[kiki22]

How exciting 😁 I would say good luck but you don't need it

[OceanView]

Thanks Kiwi. I spoke it through with my Mum today too and she's 100% behind it and completely understands why I would want to.

I think I thought people would think I was off my head but they've both been extremely understanding.