Early scan

[lampert]

Please tell me your early scan experiences!

I am 5+1 today (though I ovulated late so I think it's more like 4+5 really). I am so worried about everything I think I will choose to have a private early scan. I can't relax or be excited until I see it! (Though I know that seeing a heartbeat in an early scan doesn't guarantee anything).

I've googled a lot and it's left me more confused! It sounds like sensibly I should wait until 8 weeks to have an almost guarantee of seeing a heartbeat (assuming all is well) but that feels like an eternity away!

When did you have reassurance scans and what were your experiences? Did you see the heartbeat?

Thank you xx

[ClaireBear1986]

I had an early scan as due to having the implant out and falling pregnant before my periods due we did not know how far gone I was.

When I called up, they advised that it is best to wait till 6 weeks minimum as otherwise the chances of hearing the heartbeat are low.

When I had my scan I was 9 weeks, and my friend had her scan at 7 weeks. We both had very strong heartbeats.

I think 6 weeks would be ok, but give them a call and they will be able to confirm for you.

We had our scan done at Mothercare and I have to say they were outstanding!!!

[cherryontopp]

Me personally I'd rather wait til 7/8 weeks so they know there's something in the sac and a possible heart beat.
A friend of mine went at 6 weeks and couldn't see a heart beat. It just made her worry even more. She paid for another one at 8 weeks and found a heartbeat.

[TakeMe2Insanity]

I've had early scans at 5 weeks BUT they've been IVF pregnancies with blastocysts which make them slightly older. To be sure wait until 6 weeks for a heart beat scan.

[TakeMe2Insanity]

I did actually mean to say that heart beats were seen.

[EastDulwichWife]

I feel the same as you OP! 4+5 today and terrified about whether anything is progressing.

I've booked an early scan for 7+3 (although I'm not 100% on dates). Would love to hear a heartbeat, though I'll try not to assume there'll be one as it may be too early.

[lampert]

Thank you for your responses.

I def won't look at one before 6 weeks, and in reality I think I'd need to wait until nearer 7 to have a chance of seeing anything because of how late I ovulated.

So I think I just need to persuade myself to be super patient and wait until 7.5- 8 weeks, gahhhhhh!!!

I didn't know mothercare did scans @ClaireBear1986 but I've just looked and unfortunately none of the ones that offer it are near here.

[ClaireBear1986]

That's a shame @lampert. I wasn't aware either and then my bf mentioned that one of his labourers had gone there for a scan.

I believe it is the only the large stores that offer it, and we paid £89 for the early scan.

Probably best to try and wait till 7/8 weeks, but that is deffo easier said than done.
I wish I could have a scan every week. Ha ha.

[KentishGypsyTart]

Hiya.. have a look in Groupon for a discount voucher I had a private scan and it was only £39.

I also had an early scan at 6 weeks dead on. They could see a sac and the yoke but nothing else. I missed my rescan as nobody told me I was having one so we decided to pay for a private one. Was 9 + 1 and measured bang on. One happy little womb invader. We also got to hear the heart beat which was nice.

[cakesandphotos]

I had one at 9 weeks. Not sure why. The midwife asked if I wanted one and I jumped at the chance!

Be warned though, as lovely as it was to see the heartbeat, within a week of the scan, I was right back to worrying!

[NannyGR]

I had one this Sunday when I was 7+4 although I'm sure I ovulated so when the lady said I was only measuring 6+6 I wasn't surprised, it was brilliant, saw a lovely strong heart beat and got some lovely pictures!! I personally had one for peace of mind after try for 6 yrs and having a mc last year! It was brilliant, but it hasn't stopped me worrying that something may go wrong between now and my 12 week scan! I think if you can hold out until your around 8 weeks that'll be perfect as you'll see soo much more and then only 4 weeks to wait until the next one!!

[lampert]

Thank you all.

@NannyGR sounds a similar situation to me then re. Dates. I think I will wait for a week and then book for 7+3 ish. Fingers crossed!!!

Thanks for the Groupon tip @KentishGypsyTart, I'll take a look.

@cakesandphotos I guess I will be the same, but even temporary reassurance would. E nice! Or worst case I'd prefer to know sooner than later if something has gone wrong really early. I had no idea I could worry so much about something I only found out existed a week ago!!

[Lemondrop99]

I'd wait until close to 8 weeks. You might see a heartbeat earlier but there's a good chance you won't. Then you'd have to wait a week or two and be rescanned anyway. That would be a very long, anxious wait. It would be awful to see no heartbeat, simply because it's too early but not knowing if that's the reason at the time or if something is wrong. You could cause yourself a lot of unnecessary stress but not waiting just an extra few days.

[namechanger2735]

I saw a heartbeat at 6+5!

[meltingmarshmallows]

I had mine at 7 but later found out my dates were wrong so I was more like 9.

I was worried not seeing a heartbeat and having to rescan would be more distressing, so held on for what felt like ages! But it was reassuring.

[TheCatsMother99]

I had an early scan at something like 6+2 and saw the heartbeat. I Also had another one at something like 6+6 because of bleeding and saw it again (such a relief!).

Both scans were done the usual way (on stomach) even though they were at different scanning units.

[AccrualIntentions]

I had one at 7 weeks after being treated by a fertility clinic. They wouldn't consider doing it any earlier than 7 weeks. If you're not completely sure about your dates I'd make it as close to 8 weeks as you can stand. I know it's nerve wracking waiting for the scan but it's got to be better than potentially going too early and being left in limbo.

[AccrualIntentions]

Oh, and yes we saw a strong heartbeat with a transvaginal scan. Have to admit, it only reassured me for a few days then I was on a worried wait until the 12 week scan, and then the 20...but I'm a stresshead.

[lampert]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! Im going to wait until 8 weeks by my LMP which I think will actually be 7+3 m. I think I will get way too panicked if I go earlier and they can't find a hb and then I'm in limbo, so I'm going to wait so that there's a better chance of a definitive answer.

[SSF8]

I had a scan at 6+1 (transvaginal) and saw the heart beat. But the baby was nothing but a little jelly bean blob. We went back at 10+1 and there was baby again (transabdominal) and got a lovely picture where it actually looked like a baby. Just had my 12 week scan (12+5) and it's amazing how much it has grown in just over 2 weeks.
I had the early scans to put my mind at ease, but it didn't really work. Only stopped me worrying for a day or 2 and made my purse £180 lighter!

[wingingitx2]

I understand you wanting to have an early scan as I did it myself following a miscarriage previously. I booked myself in at 6 weeks and they confirmed a heartbeat which gave me some reassurance however at my 12 week scan we were told that the heartbeat was no longer there and I was measuring at 6+2. The fact I had an early scan meant that the sad news felt came as a bigger shock as I naively assumed everything was going to be fine. If it will give you a little reassurance then go for it but just be mindful (but you know that already) I would maybe wait a little longer- maybe 8/9 weeks as the 6 week stage is a such a delicate time. I wish you lots of luck with your pregnancy and I'm sure it will all be fine. I just wanted to share my experience