Do most people go for an early scan?

[mytime777]

I've got my dating scan in2 weeks and so far not had a scan nor blood test to confirm.
Just wondering if most women have early scans and if I'm one of the few who has ( stupidly) waited!
( thinking maybe I should have booked an early one before now to keep me sain) ...

Nope, never had an early scan.

If you've done a PG test, that is confirmation surely?

As far as I know, the first scan is at 12 weeks ish unless there are reasons to have an early one such as previous mx, ectopic, bleeding etc

You can pay for private scans before this point

Normal not to have scan til twelve weeks. Don't worry

No early scan, dating scan at 12w is standard.

You don't get a blood test to 'confirm' either, telling the dr or MW you've got a BFP is enough!

Im 10+2 currently. I did have positive tests ( at home) but was just wondering if the majority of women do have early scans to see the baby / heart beat etc ( whether privately or not) for early peace of mind or if the majority just wait for the 12 week scan?

Hi with my 1st DD I wasn't scanned until 13 wks. 2nd DD had an NHS scan at 8wks as had a slight bleed (didn't realise that Zumba and pg didn't mix well!). Have just found out we're expecting number 3 and will ask/scream/cry for an early scan as have had 2mc already this year. If I can't get an NHS one I'll pay for a private one. Only for reassurance though, no other reason. Goodluck with your scan!

My midwife (firmly) pointed out scans are snapshots of what is happening right now - not a predictor of the following week. Although been going slowly mad waiting (i'll be 13 weeks when I have it on Thursday) I do get that. I was considering paying for one earlier but sort of glad I didn't because of the money and I've had loads of stress over slapped cheek disease and thyroid - I think it may have actually made me worry more afterwards somehow! I've been extremely lucky and never had a mc, nor any spotting at all. I imagine id feel differently if I had, and with ongoing spotting it would need to be checked. If you've no cause for concern there's not much point unless you simply want to. Which is also fine! (i want to spend the cash on a better pram, DH doesn't know that yet, keeping for the campaign!)

All the best and it'll come round soon!

I'm having an early scan next week because I've had spotting and previous mcs. But because I lost the last one at 14 weeks, I won't really relax until past that point. Hopefully, there will be a heartbeat on Saturday, but as Clarella says, it's no guarantee for later. Still it would be lovely to see a little heartbeat! :-)

So sorry to hear that Incaminka. That is some of my stress over the slapped cheek - im not immune and while currently off work and safe, when i return after the quarantine period, baby is at a little increased risk of mc if i catch it from the children (its really hard to know who's infectious). All the best for Saturday - i am sure all will be well this time :)

I has my dating scan at 13 weeks which was torture waiting! I couldn't understand why everyone was just taking my word for it that I was pregnant & found it very odd that neither the doctor or midwife did any sort of test at all. So worth the wait though as it was amazing. I don't think the worry goes away at any point & as a friend said to me it doesn't go away once they're born either! Best advice I can give is to try and relax and wait patiently (very hard I know!). Best of luck with your pregnancy

We had been TTC for almost six years before our positive test, so we were quite surprised that our GP just went with us reporting a positive test and didn't do any tests to confirm the pregnancy. (We didn't really believe it ourselves!)

I was offered an early scan at 10 weeks because of my underactive thyroid, because it apparently increases the risk of miscarriage and they want to check that the pregnancy is viable. So we had a 10 week scan and a booking in appointment, followed by the regular 12 week scan. There's also a big gap between the 12 week scan and the 20 week one. Now at 31 weeks its been a while since I last saw my baby, but there is movement to reassure me.

It does feel odd to find out you are pregnant and for nothing to happen for a while, but its quite normal. Early scans are usually offered if there is particular reason to suspect miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which could be symptoms in the present pregnancy, a maternal history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, or a condition like mine which increases the chances.

You can get a private scan if it would make you feel better, but as others have said, getting scanned won't prevent something sad from happening, it just lets you know if it has already happened. :(

Congratulations on your pregnancy, all the best.

I think most people don't but I had one at 6 and 9 weeks as had had 2 MCs and I really needed the reassurance (mentally a very difficult time for me, constanty checking loo roll etc). Best money I ever spent and made the wait to 12 weeks more manageable in little chunks of 3 weeks (I literally crossed off the days!)

There's some evidence (I think cited in Lesley Regan's book on miscarriage), that having regular 'care', including monitoring using scans, can help in cases of recurrent miscarriage. However, as they're only a snapshot of what's happening then, they only provide reassurance for about 48 hrs and then women's stress levels go up to higher than they were before the scan so they have to be used judiciously.

I spontaneously mc'd at 6 weeks first time (so no scan), 2nd time I had some light bleeding at 8 weeks, had early scan which dx a blighted ovum, mc'd at 9 weeks. Third time I had a scan at 7 weeks, saw heartbeat, thought everything was ok then turned out to have a MMC at the 12 week scan.

This time I was scanned at 5, 7 and 9 weeks and have a 12wk one tomorrow. It doesn't really give much reassurance though - I'm still terrified.