Early Scan 6+6

[Hogglebear]

Hiya, I'm currently 4+6 and I've just booked an early scan for a couple of weeks time when I'll be 6+6. I then read after booking that the best time to scan is from 7 weeks onwards in order for it to be more likely that baby's heartbeat is visible. I wouldn't have thought that one extra day to take me to 7 weeks would make a massive difference of course I'm over thinking every detail! I realise that at 6-7 weeks it's still really early on but I'm just desperate to know that everything looks as it should so far. But wondering if I'm going to be disappointed if they're not able to confirm anything. It's a transvaginal scan so hoping that should give me a better chance. It would be great to hear about others experiences of early scans please xx

[Marriageoftrueminds]

It really depends when your egg implanted. I have had early scans at 6 weeks on the NHS with my previous and current pregnancy, because i had an ectopic pregnancy prior to them. With my son the 6 week scan showed a lovely heartbeat and I was reassured. But with my current pregnancy they could only see a yolk sac and I was really upset. I had to wait nearly 3 weeks to go back (was meant to be 2 but couldn't get childcare) and it was so stressful.

I understand wanting to see baby but I think if you can wait even a few more days you stand a better chance of being reassured.

Congrats and good luck!

[thetangleteaser]

I’d wait until you’re more like 8 weeks if you can, my friend had a scan where she was meant to be 7 weeks but they couldn’t see what they would expect, she had to wait two agonising weeks for a rescan to see if she had miscarried or if her dates were just out. Such unnecessary anxiety caused, plus at 6/7 weeks if really is just a blob on the screen, slightly further along there’s more to see😊

[Hogglebear]

Thanks @Marriageoftrueminds and @thetangleteaser. I might have a chat with my other half and see if we're able to push it back a bit then. It's my first pregnancy and we only found out on Saturday that we're expecting but I'm already worrying so much. But you're right that if I do have the scan early and don't see anything, I'll likely be even more worried even though baby could be absolutely fine.
Ughhhh don't know what to do. My anxiety is getting the better of me a bit but I know I need to try and stay calm. It just feels like so long away to wait but know it's probably best to xx

[Marriageoftrueminds]

I totally understand the anxiety..mine was through the roof with my first healthy pregnancy after the loss. Unfortunately pregnancy is worrying and there is always waiting in between scans and appointments. I had counselling (on the NHS) which really helped. You can ask your midwife or GP for a referral.

[thetangleteaser]

Early pregnancy is hideous but you almost have to make peace with the fact it’s totally out of your control. Anything you think may give you reassurance is pretty temporary at this stage and really until you start feeling movement as even after the 12 week scan you’re kind of just then waiting for movement or the 20 week one to reassure you again! The best advice I can give and the only thing that worked for me is try to forget you’re pregnant if you can, the horrendous sickness reminded me every day but I just tried to put it out my mind and got on with life and the weeks went by pretty quick!xx

[peachypetite]

You might not even be 4+6. At my 12 week scan I was only 11+2. So I’d definitely say wait until you think you’re 8/9 weeks.

[Spinksy9]

@Hogglebear id honestly move it back if possible. I had a scan at what I thought i was 6weeks 3 days but all they could see was a gestation sac and yolk sac. I go back Saturday. These last 3 weeks have been torture as I'm worried I'm not going to see anything. However the sickness has been awful so taking that as a good sign and keeping my fingers crossed xx

[Hogglebear]

Thank you both so much for your advice @thetangleteaser. You're so right that any reassurance will be temporary no matter what stage I'm at so I really do need to try and find a way to make peace with it all. Xx

[Hogglebear]

Thanks so much @Marriageoftrueminds that's really good to know about the counselling xx

[Hogglebear]

You're right @peachypetite I didn't even think about my dates being potentially wrong. Think I've just panicked into booking it! Hopefully I can get it changed xx

[Hogglebear]

Ohhh @Spinksy9 I'm so sorry to hear you're going through so much torment. I can only imagine how worrying it's been for you. Definitely a great sign that you're so sick though. Good luck for Saturday and it would be great to hear how you get on xx

[Spinksy9]

@Hogglebear I will def update you. Omg they were going to hoapitalise me but luckily the tablets worked! I hated every minute of it but also grateful. Such a bittersweet moment ahaa xx

[peachypetite]

Honestly you’ll only feel more anxious going too early.

[pinacollama]

Congratulations! It really is a nerve wracking time isn’t it. I’m 10 + 3 today and have had a scan at 6 weeks (GP arranged because I had some pain) and saw a little heartbeat which was lovely, but the sonographer did say that they can’t often see much at that stage. I had a private scan with my husband at 8 + 5 and that felt a bit more reassuring because we could see more, and hear the heartbeat. Saying that, I’m back to feeling nervous again...

[Hogglebear]

@Spinksy9 god yeah I can imagine. As happy as you are it won't make you feel any less rotten if you're that ill. A friend of mine was sick every day for literally 6-7 months of her pregnancy! Glad you have been able to ease it xx

[Hogglebear]

@pinacollama thank you! Congratulations to you too! It definitely sounds like I should hold off as long as I can. To wait another month just feels like such a long time. But like you say there are always going to be worries until the next scan or until we start to feel baby moving. Is this your first? Xx

[SleepingStandingUp]

Or early scan confirmed one healthy baby.

Or twelve week scan confirmed two Henry babies...


Think is 6+6 is one day of 7 weeks IF your dates are right. They might not be

[User43210]

My first pregnancy I had a scan at 6+1 and saw (and heard) a heartbeat. This pregnancy my first scan was at 7 weeks (the earliest my new EPU would do to safely see something) and baby had good shape and a good heartbeat. I was pretty certain on dates this time as I'd used OPK and BBT but you could definitely be off a little bit.
I think I read one private sonographers state they would do a week later scan if nothing found, so maybe check your place for this?
I'm very much like you and I panic so much between scans, it's awful to wait!

[Hogglebear]

@User43210 that's good to know you have had success at 2 early scans. I think I'm going to try push it back a week or so. I'm pretty confident on my dates but might be safer to just wait til I think I'm 8 weeks. As much as I'm worrying I think I'd probably be even worse if I had the scan too soon and then had to wait again to see if it was just too early or if there was in fact no heartbeat. Gosh I thought I was an overthinker before I got pregnant! Xx

[User43210]

Probably safest. It's not about your Day 1 but about your ovulation as well as implantation date, either or both of these delayed, would mean a disappointing scan.

[happymmummy]

@Hogglebear I would say to try and push it back a little if you can!! I went for a scan on Sunday where he told me I was 5-6, early 6 weeks but could only see the sac and the yolk sac... everything was in the correct place and looked healthy but no fetal pole. I booked an appointment to be rescanned for two weeks time but my anxiety got the best of me and I booked a internal scan for the Sunday coming... I wish I had waited as I now feel worse waiting to see if my baby has grown or not!!
Congratulations on your positives though 🙂 it's such a nervous time but try and enjoy it x

[kittenpeak]

Hi @Hogglebear sorry I haven't read the whole thread but didn't want to run as I was in your shoes. A heartbeat can be detected at 6 weeks so 6+6 would be ok, but whilst the clinics I looked at it were happy to do it from 6 weeks they did advise doing it from 8 weeks onwards to avoid disappointment at 6 weeks if no heartbeat was detected (which doesn't necessarily mean bad news) and to avoid an excruciating 2 week wait to have another one. I thought this advice was good - especially as it was private - shows they aren't just desperate for all your money.

If you can, I would move it to 8 weeks. Just my opinion 🙂

[Hogglebear]

Thank you @happymmummy. Congratulations to you too. Ohhh I'm sorry to hear you're feeling worse. I guess ignorance is bliss in a way isn't it. Great news that everything looks as it should though. No reason for you to think anything else but get that it must be like torture waiting. I've decided I'm going to call in the morning and push it back about a week or just over when I think I should be 8 weeks. It does feel like forever away though. Best of luck for your next scan. I hope they can show you a bit more and help ease some of your worries xx

[Hogglebear]

Thanks @kittenpeak. It seems like the general consensus is to try wait a bit longer so I don't end up facing, like you say, an excruciating wait if there didn't happen to be much to see if I went earlier. I'm going to call in the morning and try push it back a week or so. As painful as the wait will be til then I think it's probably the lesser of two evils. Xx