AIBU to think 'early scans' are not such a great idea?

[Rachtoteach]

Everybody seems to want an early scan and I can understand the need/desire to see your baby on screen for the first time BUT I have heard so many stories of things going wrong (myself included x 2) in between 'early scan' at 6/7/8 weeks and the 'safety' of the 12 week mark. I think it can create more heartache, can lead to people telling others about the pregnancy before they normally would and can get hopes up falsely. Not all the time, I know, but I think there is a lot to be said for waiting til the 12 week mark. Some things are just worth waiting for! On another board I go on (all about babies) people are constantly bashing their GPs for not referring them for an early scan (for no good reason) and I dont think this is really fair on the medical staff. Perhaps it's just me....

I had a private early scan this time around (2nd pregnancy) not because of having had anything go wrong before but for a bit of reassurance. It did reassure me (wrt statistics quoted earlier about seeng heartbeat etc) but I was also aware that it wasn't a guarantee.

YABU. I had several mcs before dd arrived and the early scans were the only thing that kept me going through those difficult first few months. I never figured that we'd definitely end up with a living child at the end of it as we'd been so unlucky to that point. It was, however, good scaffolding for me to prop up my pregnancy!

I had an early scan at 7 weeks as it was a result of IVF (higher incidence of ectopics so standard procedure at that time) and was delighted to see two embryos, but one was smaller and had a weaker heartbeat, at 8 weeks there was only one, now a beautiful nearly 4yr old.

Apparently 'Disappearing Twin Syndrome' can even be common in natural pregnancies so I think early scans could lead to heartache. HOWEVER for people with recurrent problems or bleeding etc they should be routine but it really annoys me to think people want them just for the photo - it's only a blob ffs.

YABU. I've had 2 ectopics, and both ended up needing emergency surgery - with the last I had bled loads internally by the time I got to theatre, even although the early scan had picked up the ep as soon as it reasonably could. Sometimes it's difficult enough to get a scan when you really need one, and the attitude of "wait and see" you get from some doctors can potentially be very harmful, particularly if the patient is too stressed or doesn't know enough to argue the toss with them.

You should get one if you're bleeding, have a history of previous problems or are in pain.

yabu and yanbu. They are a good idea if clinically indicated (and I would include previous recurrent miscarriages under that heading). But if no worrying symptoms or medical history then I don't see the point of v early scans (pre 8 weeks), as ime they can be inconclusive and need repeating and can lead to unnecessary worry. Btw I had 3 scans pre 8 weeks to rule out an ectopic pg (my my blood test results and dates were concerning).

ipswich I'm so very sorry to read of the loss of your son. I should have clarified that when I said I found the early scans I had reassuring (in my subsequent pregnancy having also lost one of my dts shortly after birth) it was only in so far as I knew that the baby was still alive at that point and I had not had an early miscarriage and ended up in the heartbreaking situation that gwendoline found herself in. As I'd been bleeding I was worried that I had already lost the pregnancy even at that early stage. I was very anxious and throughout my subsequent pregnancy, even whilst giving birth, that something would go wrong. It didn't ease until he was in my arms, alive and well. And I am keenly aware that you aren't safe, even then. It's tough and I wish you and your husband all the very best should you choose to have any more DCs. Again, I am so sorry for the loss of your boy.

thanks awhistlingwoman
like you say, the scan can only confirm a baby is ok at that point in time. i do think that demanding early scans when there is no clinical need, no previous problems, is a bit unreasonable, and would stretch waiting lists to a point where those with a genuine need are waiting far longer than they should. our 12 week scan was actually done at almost 14 weeks, and almost were unable to have the nuchal fold measurement for downs, since they told us we were 1 day away from them not being able to do it accurately. that was because of their waiting list issues.
i'm very sorry to hear about your own loss too, and for all the other ladies on here. i didnt have any idea so many of us have had such horrendous experiences - everybody i know in rl has had relatively straightforward pregnancies and safe deliveries (with only 1 exception)

I had a early scan with my second pregnancy as i was worried stupid as had fallen down the stairs and previously miscarried. I then went in for a scan, couldnt detect heartbeat possibly because it was too early, 10 days of heartache, went back to have a missed miscarriage confirmed to be told the baby was actually developing well and perfectly healthy, unfortunately, i then went on to miscarry at 8 weeks and 6 days, and found out at a scan. It broke my heart, to be told te baby is possibly dead, no its not its alive, and then to face that our child had indeed passed away.

YANBU, Sometimes i think early scans cause more worry than necessary!

I agree especially as there isn't really much they can do at 8 weeks if say you have a bleed other than wait and see.

But to my mind all about allocation of scarce NHS resources. Think its fine to have loads of scans if you are paying privately!

IMO I think better to cut down on early scans unless really need like suspected ectopic pregnancy or perhaps if repeated miscarriage and use resources for later scans eg routine growth scan at 36 weeks which really can pick things up - breech / placenta issues / growth issues.

There is also an opinion that early scans can INCREASE the risks of early pregnancy.

I disagree but I have had an ectopic pregnancy so was very glad of an early scan. DH's aunt also died from a ruptured ectopic. They are often symptomless and I think everyone should be entitled to an early vaginal scan to confirm the pregnancy is in the correct place. This would obviously be very expensive though so unlikely to happen.
I don't think people would be any more likely to announce their pregnancy early because of a scan. I had an early scan as a precaution with dd and I still didn't announce the pg until 12 weeks (I had announced my ectopic pregnancy to all and sundry as soon as I got the positive test so didn't want to take any chances).
Some people will always be excited and announce their pg early. I must admit it makes me really anxious when friends tell me they're a few weeks pg but that's probably just due to my own history. If I'd never had any problems I probably would have announced all my pgs early.

I'd had 3 scans by 12 weeks and didn't announce til 16 weeks, cos I was neurotic and had been pregnant at least 3 times before without joy. The scans for me were a bit of a comfort blanket and helped me to be less stressed about my pg.

Yabu.I bled at 6wks and had was sent for an internal scan-it was ectopic.With both my subesequent pregnancies I bled before 12wks so had early scans then too.I've never had a 12wk scan though,as I was told I didn't need one as I'd had the early ones.fFor people in a similar situation,scans are not 'a chance to see an ickle baby',but horribly stressful and worrying.

I think YABU. I was incredibly anxious in early pregnancy. I don't know if it was a hormonal reaction or just finally getting what I'd been longing for and not wanting to lose it, but I was a bundle of weepy, fraught nerves. I paid for a scan at 8 weeks and it really helped me curb the anxiety, which I knew was bad for both me and the baby but couldn't stop. Yes, of course something could still have gone wrong between 8 and 12 weeks, but I found knowing there was a heartbeat at 8 weeks very reassuring and it enabled me to enjoy the rest of the time until the 12 week scan rather than spending it shaking with anxiety. I don't really see why you would wish to deprieve women who want it of that reassurance.