Scans in pregnancy- a general query. Maybe trigger warning for methionine of miscarriage?

[CurlewKate]

When I was pregnant, a million years ago, we had, for an uncomplicated pregnancy, a dating scan at 12 weeks, and an anomaly scan at 20 weeks (I think- it was a long time ago!) That was it, unless there were any concerns.
People seem to have a lot more now-particularly very early ones. It seems to me that, considering the frequency of early miscarriage, for example, they must just increase anxiety and stress? I certainly think they would have for me. I don't understand how they are of any benefit. Presumably they can't provide much useful information, and just add to the grief if the worst happens. Or am I missing something? I suppose I'm also influenced by the fact that in my day, we tried to minimise scans because there was some concern among some people that ultrasound could be damaging to the baby. I know that's been shown not to be true, but it's still there in my head! I remember worrying because I had to have more-my babies were enormous!

I had an anembryonic pregnancy and didn’t find out until the 12 week scan, which due to appointments didn’t actually happen until 13 weeks. Then they made me wait another week to see if the dates were wrong and it was just a much earlier pregnancy. So it was 14 weeks by the time it was confirmed as anembryonic, and then I had a medically managed miscarriage. 8 weeks of throwing up and exhaustion for a pregnancy that was never viable in the first place. So yes, the next time I got pregnant, I paid for a private scan at 6 weeks rather than put myself through that again. I don’t really know how additional scans would increase stress and anxiety, but maybe that’s specific to my experience.

I had an early scan (7weeks) due to bleeding. All was well. I then had my usual 12 and 20 week scans, then a late one, as MW thought she was presenting breech (likely she was, but she turned just before the scan!)

I would hazard, kindly, OP that you are coming from a place with, thankfully, limited experience of infertility and pregnancy loss? (Apologies if I am wrong)

If so, this is a genuine and thoughtful question then I applaud you @CurlewKate for educating yourself on a topic that is thankfully becoming less taboo.

Miscarriage statistics aren’t currently compiled in the UK so we can’t be certain but it is likely the following has increased the number of scans, particularly early ones:

• increase in aided conception / IVF
• increase in maternal age means an increased risk of miscarriage (as well some other conditions) which means it is statistically more likely that mothers will have a ‘more complicated’ obstetric history than in previous time periods
• accessibility of private scans

The part of your post that I am unsure of is how these early scans could increase stress and anxiety? Is this from the perspective of more chances to know something is/has gone wrong? Or the ‘scanxiety’ mentioned by PP?

I lost my first baby to a missed miscarriage at 14 weeks, in subsequent pregnancies the weeks between the BFP, the scans and being able to feel kicks were particularly agonising wondering if I was carrying an alive or dead baby; if early scans had been accessible to me I think I would have availed of them and as PP said either known earlier something was wrong or had greater reassurance. Although I doubt it would reduce grief, I disagree and think it would have reduced anxiety/worry (Even if only because it would bring forward the grief 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Good question IMHO.