When to have early scan?

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

Hi. I am currently 6 weeks 3 days pregnant after having a mmc in September. (I had a little bleeding at 7.5 weeks and found out the pregnancy had not progressed beyond 6 weeks.) We can't decide whether to wait for 12 week scan or not; we're not sure which would be worse, having an early scan and being told everything is fine and then something being wrong at 12 week scan or waiting until 12 week scan and being told something is wrong, IYSWIM.

Anyway, I digress. I was wondering, if I was to have an early scan, when would be the best time to have it? I know they can do them from 6 weeks but would we be best to wait a couple more weeks, particularly as I don't think I ovulated until sometime around 9th December. We are going to have it done privately rather than at EPU in order that it can be at the weekend so my husband can come. This weekend would be 6 weeks 6 days, next weekend would obviously be 7 weeks 6 days. I guess if I think about it, I would like to be able to see a heartbeat.

What do you think? Did any of you have early scans and what did you see?

I think 8 weeks is probably the earliest you are most likely to see a heartbeat.

I had one at 6 weeks (by LMP, but 5 weeks by my OV dates) and just saw the fetal pole and yolk sac, no heartbeat. Another 2 weeks later and there was a little heartbeat, so was between 7-8 weeks then.

Hi Dreaming,Congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm in a similar boat- just found out that I am pregnant and am 5 weeks 4 days. I also had a mmc at the end of July last year at 11 weeks plus 4 days (hadn't had my 12 week scan at that point, but started bleeding).Because it happened almost at the end of the first trimester for me last time, I don't want to wait until the 12 week scan, so will have a private one , but not sure when. I don't want to have it too early, as there is still a good bit of time between now and 12 weeks, plus would also definitley like a heartbeat to be detected. So I think we will go for it between 8 and 9 weeks. I'd also prefer to avoid a vaginal scan if possible , so another reason for me to wait a few weeks I think.
Fingers crossed everything will go well- its is quite nervewracking, especaially after what happened last year, but I am trying not to stress too much.

Good luck with everything, hope all goes well for you.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I've had scans at 7+4, 8+5 and 10+4 due to recurrent bleeding.

At 7+4 I saw a tiny monkeynut with a flashing dot where baby's heart had just started beating.

At 8+5 the baby was a little frog-like blob, no limbs visible but a definite heartbeat.

By 10+4 they were unmistakably a tiny person with arms and legs waving around.

I was warned that scans before 8 weeks often don't show a heartbeat as it's too early. If you can bear to wait a little longer you will definitely see more on your scan pics. Having said that, the 7 week scan was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, to know my baby was alive meant everything to me.

Good luck, wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

I am having exactly the same dilemma! Currently 4+5 after a mmc at 8 weeks in October. DH doesn't understand why I want a scan, but the thought of waiting any longer than I have to if it is going to happen again kills me! I might get one at 8 weeks. Tht way it is half way between positive pee stick and 12 week scan. And should definitely know if it isnt happening.
Would be interested to know what you decide to do, and good luck with your pregnancy :)

Hi there, congratulations :-) I had a private early scan at 9 weeks just because we were browsing the internet and saw a good deal. At 9 weeks although it looked like a little bean we saw arms and legs waving around and heard and saw the heart beat. It was only £50 and my husband and I agree it was the best £50 we have ever spent. We were able to relax, celebrate and enjoy xmas as the risks of things going wrong drop quite a lot after you have seen a heart beat and had the measurements/positioning checked. I would definately wait until the heart beat can be seen as if you go too early you may cause yourself more worry unnecessarily should a heartbeat not be picked up on.

I had my NHS scan yesterday at 13 + 2 weeks and the amount that he/she had grown in the space of 4 weeks was amazing and wonderful to see. The private scan was a lot better than the NHS scan in terms of the equipment. There were x 2 massive flat screen TVs to view so you didn't have to strain your neck looking at the tiny monitor to the side of you. We are definately sold on private scans after our first experience and have already bought a 4d scan for £40 which we plan to use at around 30 weeks. I would definately recommend one for piece of mind and also to see the development of your little one :-)

Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you whatever you decide x

I had a mmc at 9 weeks and when pregnant again had a private scan at 9 weeks as I didn't feel I could wait until the 12week scan to know if everything was alright. As other poster mentioned, private scan was much clearer, equipment much better, than that at 12 week scan. Best of luck.

Thanks for all your replies and sorry for the slow response.

I think we will hang on a little while and wait until at least next weekend which will be almost 7 w 7d by then. I may try to wait another week but will see - in some ways, part of me thinks that if I'm going to wait until almost 9 weeks I might as well wait until my 12 week scan and put the £80-£95 cost into the savings pot for buying baby equipment!

I don't even feel pregnant at the moment, not a single symptom, which I am trying to enjoy rather than worrying about! Last time I had sore breasts, tiredness, tearful and feeling queasy if stomach empty when only 4 weeks pregnant. I'm almost 7 weeks now and not a thing.

My scan should have been 7+5 it looked like it was a little bean with a beating heart, but then Sonographer said your only 6+5 which I wasn't so sure about as I have regular cycles got my bfp on day 29. So waiting for my 12wk scan to confirm the proper date now. Mine wasn't private though xx