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Original poster

Ultrasound at 8 weeks - damage?

27 replies

jh274 · 24/10/2023 13:29

Hello, I have just had NIPT (now over 10 weeks) and during the scan element, I mentioned I'd heard the heartbeat in my 8 week (private) scan. The sonographer freaked out and said that it is entirely against recommendations and there are no guarantees the baby won't be damaged because of it. I'm now distraught as I hadn't even asked to hear a heartbeat in 8 week scan.

OP posts:
hotcandle · 24/10/2023 13:32

I've never heard of this. Was everything OK during your scan?

vegsoup · 24/10/2023 13:33

It's my understanding early scans are quite common, especially in countries like America or here in the UK if you have a history of previous early loss so not sure why they'd offer that if it damages baby!

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 13:34

Thank you. Exactly. She just said it uses far too high a frequency to hear the heartbeat. I didn't think it was uncommon either but Shock

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 24/10/2023 13:34

That's absolute nonsense I would be making a complaint.

Lavender14 · 24/10/2023 13:35

I had a number of early scans from 6 weeks onwards in our epau due to heavy bleeding and ds is completely fine. That seems like a strange reaction to me.

Mangotango39 · 24/10/2023 13:35

Early scans are standard where I am (Aus)
6 + 6 I saw heartbeat on screen (internal scan)
9 weeks they played it out loud during scan (external - extra check at EPU due to bleeding)

What did she say could of caused damage? I have never heard this!

Totalwasteofpaper · 24/10/2023 13:36

Bizarre and untrue.

Don't worry and congratulations

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 13:37

Thank you. She said that the higher frequencies required to hear a heartbeat and see any blood flow are very dangerous and against worldwide guidance. She then said it can cause significant damage to a small foetus.

OP posts:
HoppingPavlova · 24/10/2023 13:39

Early scans have been routine here approx 25/30 years, so this is cobblers.

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 14:15

Thank you. I think they only scan if problems or previous issues before 11-12 weeks in UK on the NHS but the 8+week was a private scan, as was the scan today at 10+weeks prior to bloods for NIPT (but a different provider).

Apparently a higher frequency level is required to hear the heartbeat and it isn't within "worldwide guidelines" to do this... there was zero reassurance from her either whilst upset except "hopefully it will be ok".

OP posts:
ScoobyBooby · 24/10/2023 14:20

Well then I’m suing the NHS as I had two early scans and 6 and 8 weeks !(jk obviously ) She’s talking absolute rubbish ! They are generally “frowned” upon by NHS staff some for good reasons.

Dont worry about it your baby will be fine after those scans . Best of luck with your pregnancy x

eurochick · 24/10/2023 14:22

Utter nonsense. Ivf clinics scan early to see if there is a pregnancy. They wouldn't do it if it affected their stats as that is what they market.

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 14:23

It wasn't the scan itself, it was hearing the heartbeat she had an issue with due to frequencies involved

OP posts:
gwenneh · 24/10/2023 14:26

jh274 · 24/10/2023 14:23

It wasn't the scan itself, it was hearing the heartbeat she had an issue with due to frequencies involved

It's still utter bollocks. IVF clinics do this routinely. Not only is it not against some kind of (nonexistent) worldwide guidance, it's routine for high risk pregnancies.

Routine. For high risk.

Please make a complaint about this person, who knows how many other mothers they've terrified.

ItsmeImtheproblem200 · 24/10/2023 14:27

Jesus Christ, why the hell would she say something like that? That’s awful.

She’s being ridiculous, please don’t worry about your baby.

You should absolutely complain about it.

Whataretheodds · 24/10/2023 14:28

I had early reassurance scan via EPU (NHS) at 6 and 8 weeks this year and both offered to hear the heartbeat ("just very quickly" - so there's clearly some risk assessment involved but there was no warning)

MidnightOnceMore · 24/10/2023 14:29

In your circs I would write for confirmation from your private scan company who did the 8wk scan. They will follow standard guidance to avoid being sued.

I would also write to the company of the person who said this to ask for clarification of what was said.

YokoOnosBigHat · 24/10/2023 14:33

I do wonder whether some of these people aren't being purposeful arseholes just because they get a weird kick out of it. I've never heard this and even if this were an issue, wouldn't you think she would have found a better way to express that to you? Fucking hell.

Relax @jh274 - I don't know if many people these days who haven't had an early scan for some reason. I heard my second's HB at only five weeks and had no end of scans between 5 and 20 weeks because of an ongoing issue... this was never said to me.

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 14:35

Thank you all so so much Flowers

She had quite a brusque manner and really wasn't even vaguely reassuring, despite me being upset. Already stressed, chose to have NIPT as early as poss as 40 and just want to do my best!

OP posts:
Bumble84 · 24/10/2023 14:43

It’s my understanding that it can sometimes be difficult to hear/locate the heartbeat at least if they use a Doppler but in terms of it doing damage to the foetus I’ve never heard of that

Original poster
jh274 · 24/10/2023 15:44

YokoOnosBigHat · 24/10/2023 14:33

I do wonder whether some of these people aren't being purposeful arseholes just because they get a weird kick out of it. I've never heard this and even if this were an issue, wouldn't you think she would have found a better way to express that to you? Fucking hell.

Relax @jh274 - I don't know if many people these days who haven't had an early scan for some reason. I heard my second's HB at only five weeks and had no end of scans between 5 and 20 weeks because of an ongoing issue... this was never said to me.

Thank you! Exactly what I needed to hear. Her manner was that of someone who got out the wrong side of bed... she even said "you don't really see much at 10 weeks" I am delighted to see this little thing, as most of her visitors will be!!

OP posts:
lordloveadog · 24/10/2023 20:50

Some people - including ones involved in maternity care - seem to really get off on distressing pregnant women and new mothers.

I'm another who had early scans at which the heartbeat was at least measured. My oldest child had these at 7 weeks, 10 weeks and 12 weeks and he's now a strapping and clever 17 year old.

This person shouldn't be anywhere near patients.

bellav · 24/10/2023 20:59

Complete nonsense. I have 4 DC and had multiple ultrasounds with all of them even as early as 5 weeks and 4 days in which we heard the heartbeat. It was standard practice in the two European countries I was living in at the time. No issues whatsoever. Don't worry.

Hiddenvoice · 24/10/2023 21:02

I’ve had lots of early scans, I’ve never been able to hear the heartbeat but that’s because they’ve explained it’s not always possible to hear it, they might mistake my heart beat for the baby’s and they wouldn’t want to worry me incase I think it doesn’t sound right.

I’ve never heard anything about it being risky but this person has upset and worried you. They shouldn’t be doing that, even if she was surprised about the heart beat, she could have left it with saying it’s not routine. I know my dh would say I’m being silly but I would consider putting in a complaint because this person has caused you unnecessary stress and panic.

Olika · 24/10/2023 21:03

Never heard such thing. I had two early scans before NHS ones and a very healthy toddler by now. Enjoy your pregnancy journey. 🎉