Scans before 12 weeks?

[KatieWatie]

I keep reading on here about people having 8 weeks scans? What is the purpose of this and is it normal?

Sorry but this is my first child, and the booklet I've been given only mentions the 12 and 20 week scans

They're not routinely done, though you can have them done privately and may be offered an early one if you have had fertility treatment or have a history of miscarriage. For most people, the 12 week scan is the first one.

If there are health concerns then you may be offered an earlier scan. In most cases there's no point scanning earlier than 12 weeks.

Katie, I had several because of a previous miscarriage and bleeding during this pg. I think that's why people usually have them (and as far as I know, about the only way you get them on the NHS, unless it's to check for ectopic). I do know one or two people who booked an early scan privately at around 8 weeks, just because they really wanted to know earlier than 12 weeks if everything was progressing okay and there really was a baby in there!! Most people don't have an early scan though. 12 and 20 weeks is the norm.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck!

Wombat

I know it's a little personal (but we get away with that on here) but I found out on Sat that I'm pregnant I'm only 4 + 1 but I had a little bit of brown blood (a little bit of tissue in there ) when I wiped a couple of times this morning. I've been to docs and had bloods done and go back on Thurs but wondered if you had any advice/help/something to stop me crying?

xxx

I had one at 8 weeks as I had a bleed and they wanted to take a look to make sure it was viable and not ectopic, etc. I know people who have gone for their 12 week scan and the dates have been wrong so they've only been 8-9 weeks and had to go back at 12 weeks. My PCT does 8 week scans also if the pregnancy can be dated using last period, in my second pregnancy I hadn't had a period in six months so had no idea how far I was, in cases like that they estimate the 8 week mark based on symptoms and do a scan to check.

LJ random brown goo is v.v. common especially early on (I had it during that week). It might well be the little bean settling in! Plus sometimes your body hasn't worked out yet that it doesn't need to do the period thing this month.

See how it goes and how you feel and if you are worried then talk to your GP - that's always the best place to start.

Good luck!

owl thanks for your response, that really helps. I guess I'm like everyone else and wish that there was an absolute way of knowing but I will just try to get on with it now. I'm hoping he/she is trying to get comfy!!

May I ask if you got any more bleeding or was it just the once?

Thanks for the positive wishes x

LJ I second Owly - early bleeding (known as 'implantation bleeding' is really very common). As is bleeding around the time of what would have been your first, second or third period, bleeding when the placenta beds in (about 9-12 weeks) and after sex or just if you happen to have a sensative cervix!

There can be lots of perfectly harmless reasons, but I know all too well that doesn't stop you worrying!

You should always mention it to your doctor or midwife so they can reassure you and arrange a reassurance scan if they think it would be worthwhile, but try not to fret too much. The only time I'd say you should push for an urgent appointment or go to A&E is if you're losing a lot of red blood/clots or are in a lot of pain, and even then it's not necessarily bad news. A friend of mine lost so much blood at 7 and 9 weeks that she commented afterwards she was amazed she was still alive let alone the baby but both were absolutely fine! and bear in mind that a certain amount of discomfort is normal in early preg!

As for me, if it makes you feel any better, I had brown blood at about 6 weeks, then pink and brown at 8 weeks then brown blood every day from 9 weeks to 13 weeks!! I'm now 13+3 and haven't had any for three whole days but I have had 6 scans in that time and every time the baby has been doing absolutley fine and no explanation for the bleeding has been found.

I hope this reassures you. Congratulations on your pregancy and good luck! xxx

Hi! I'm 6 weeks pregnant - and have had a scan twice now, because of bleeding. Had a scan this morning and everything seems fine - back again next week.

But as everyone has said already - the norm is 12 and 20 wks for a scan ...

The only thing I find with these early scans are how hard it is to lie at work - the boss doesn't know that I'm pregnant yet, and don't want to tell her until the 12 week scan really. She's probably baffled why I'm going to the hospital every week!

thanks wombat can't tell you how much that helps. I've relaxed a little now and am taking a couple of days off work to relax - which means I've had to tell my boss but I'm hoping he doesn't take it upon himself to tell everyone.

I think I will def be asking for an early scan, to calm my nerves if nothing else.

Thanks again xx

sorry wombat so wrapped up in myself that i forgot to say that I'm glad all is looking good for you and the bleeding has ceased.

xxx

LJ We've got a November due date thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1156441-November-2011-Mums-to-be

Come and join us - lots of the group have had spotting etc. Sorry to hear you're worrying.

xx

I had one at 5 weeks to make sure I wasn't carrying ectopic as I had severe pain (was a large cyst), then had one at 8 weeks to check heartbeat.
Had no problems with DS so had scan at 12 weeks and 20 weeks (which showed a problem so was rescanned at 32 weeks). This one I had scan today for dating 11+5.

Early early scans aren't done routinely usually depends on history, or problems.

Hi,

I'm having a early scan at 7 weeks (still 10 days away) because I have a history of Ectopic Pregnancy. With my first pregnancy I ended up having a scan at what I thought was 12 weeks but turned out to be 8 weeks!!!