Early pregnancy scans - how many weeks is best?

[CountryKitty]

Hi all,

Have 2DD's followed by 2 early mc.

Not eligible for NHS early pg scan as have no pain/ bleeding so want to book a private one. Not sure when's is best. Am only 5 weeks pg at the moment. I was thinking at somepoint between 7 - 10 weeks?

Does anyone know the best time to book one is?

Thanks in advance!

I think it is 8 weeks, I'm sure you will see a heat beat at 8 weeks, and also I believe I have been told that you are then 95% sure to have a healthy feotus at 12 weeks.

I had ones scheduled at 6 weeks and 8 weeks following ivf, but most clinics scan once at 7-8 weeks because you will see a hb. Baby is just a blob then tho, whereas at 10 weeks it is very recognisable. Perhaps 8 would be a good time, as chance of mc after hb then is v low. Good luck and congrats!

I had one at 8 weeks and it was great because you could see the form of the baby and the heart beating. Good luck :)

At least 8 weeks, preferably 9 weeks. You'll get a decent picture rather than a tiny blob and if everything is right for dates with a good heartbeat, it will be more reassuring for you than a scan at 7 weeks. I had one at 9 weeks and it made a massive difference to my worry levels.

Between 7 and 9 weeks. From 7 you can see a blob with a heartbeat, and at 9 the blob has developed arms and legs which is very exciting (well, it was for me!) See how long you can hold out for really.

I had one at 7+4 and saw a weird little blob with a flickering heart beat visible on the screen. I was also told that a MC was very unlikely once a heartbeat has been seen.

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll try to get to 8-9 weeks before getting a scan then. x

with DS1 I had one at 6+4, they saw nothing on the external scan, on internal they saw a HB but said it was a very new HB, one day earlier it prob wouldn't have been there

this time had one at 7+2, very different, much bigger and strong HB on external scan

AFAIK if there is a HB at 10 weeks then you're out of the highest risk zone? so prob best waiting as long as you can as the reassurance only lasts a day or two after the scan if it's at 7ish weeks I find as there is still a lot of riscky period to get through, but no earlier than 7 to guarentee a HB

x

A scan at 8 weeks with a beating heart means you're 98% likely not to miscarry. My (private) consultant says a scan at 9 weeks with a beating heart is the same as the 12 wk NHS scan (they schedule it at 12 because of date errors, etc.), and he would have signed me over to the NHS after that. With him I had one at 6.3weeks, 7.5 weeks, and then I didn't have the 9wk scan as he was too busy, so had a scan at 10 weeks to find my baby had died two days earlier. Someone has to be on the shitty end of the statistic. But I think you have to welcome every pregnancy with hope and love - don't be tentative about that! It's certainly reassuring to see the little heart going, though. I think with your history I'd schedule it just after the previous losses, and then again at 9 if you can spare the cash.

Jaffy im so sorry for your loss. That must have been awful. Was actually thinking of booking a seven week and then 9/10 week scan too. Wish you all the best with your future pregnancies. x

Thanks . It was my third, so I am rather an expert on early scans. Sending you every good wish for a successful pregnancy this time!

With dd I had one at 5+4 and there was hb which they said would have developed in the 24 hrs before the scan. It was a major teaching hospital though so perhaps super dooper equipment.

I had one at 7+2 at the Early Pregnancy Unit and could see a heartbeat - it was nice and strong and fast...they didn't mention whether or not it was new. I then had another one (privately) at 10+2 which was really exciting - the baby looked really....well, baby-like :) Arms and legs were dancing away and we could see the heartbeat again. It was nice to see the difference in development in the three weeks since the first scan. I have my 12 week scan next Friday at 12+5. Am still a bit nervous about it, if I am honest, though I definitely feel more reassured than I would have done if I'd had to wait until the official 12 week scan.

Let us know how you get on!

J xo

I had a heartbeat at 6w exactly but the baby just looked like a lentil. They only scanned then because I was so ill they thought there were two. I had another one at 8w4d and that looked much more like a baby, with clear head/body/limbs. I found the 8 week one reassuring. Got told the sex at the third one at 11w4d!

How far along are you now, Kalidasa?

13 weeks now so no idea if they're right that it's a boy!

Eeeee! How exciting! :) Are you feeling any better now? Sounds like you have had a really rough time.

I'd go with 8 or nearly 8 because you can see stubby arms and legs (I had one with DD1 at 7+4 that was really good)

Earlier than that a blob with a heartbeat (DD2 6+5) but abdo not dildocam so that was good.

I also had a heartbeat with DD1 at 5+4 via dildocam but I couldn't see it even though sonographer was adamant. That wasn't on particularly super duper equipment I don't think. The sonographer's word isn't quite like seeing it for yourself.

I had one at 7+4 where the scanner saw a heartbeat. I've another on Saturday at 9+4 for no reason other than I'm neurotic, have been feeling odd the last couple of days and couldn't actually see the heartbeat for myself last time even though the scanner assured me it was there.

My NHS dating scan is booked for 11+2 so it's all getting a bit silly really but I'd rather the reassure!

Hi Just wanted to update.

I had my scan at 8 weeks + 4 days and could see a strong heart beat! We could see the head, body and stubby arms and legs. The consultant could also see the start of blood flowing through the umbilical cord.

So glad we waited that bit longer.