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Pregnancy

8 week scan - would you?

75 replies

lowra · 03/08/2013 14:03

I've just found out I'm pregnant again after an early mc last month. The month before I think I had a chemical. Before that we had been trying for 9 months. As a result (and because I am a fairly anxious person) I am paranoid that this one isn't going to stick either. I have been testing daily and checking my breasts constantly in case the tenderness disappears. That`s what happened last time. Has anyone got any advice? I think I may go private and have a scan at 8 weeks. Has anyone else done this?

OP posts:

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littleABI · 04/08/2013 17:38

you know what flowers i saw the same phrase, made me tearful but i totally understood it. you guys are lovely :) xxx

DaleyBump · 04/08/2013 17:41

I was scanned at 6+3 on the NHS after experiencing bleeding and abdominal pain which they thought could be a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. It was one of the happiest moments of my life, especially after the bleeding and worrying. I say do it :)

Writerwannabe83 · 04/08/2013 17:48

I think I'm going to book it and then tell my hubby afterwards

Easier to ask for forgiveness then try and get permission, lol

lowra · 04/08/2013 18:04

Does anyone know when a heart beat should start to be detected?

OP posts:

littleABI · 04/08/2013 18:07

i'm no expert but i've read its from 6 weeks

CatsCantFlyFast · 04/08/2013 18:15

It's actually there from 5 weeks but it can only be seen every time from 7. Some scans will pick it up earlier (mine was visible at 6 wks)

maggiethemagpie · 04/08/2013 18:25

You can have a private scan any time from around 6 weeks. I was paranoid I'd miscarry so ended up having quite a few private scans between 6 and 12 weeks. For me, the reassurance only lasted a few days then it was back to worrying again but I recognise this is not typical of most women. After 9 or 10 weeks your chance of miscarrying goes down dramatically, of course it can still happen. I wish I'd not had so many private scans, as I ended up feeling like I'd wasted a lot of money just for 'reassurance' which would be better spent now on things for the new baby, but I think I got a bit obsessed with it all. If you can just stick with one scan then go for it!

LyraSilvertongue · 04/08/2013 18:50

Littleabi, some nhs hospitals will scan early. One near me offers early scan on a self-referral basis. You don't even need to give a reason. Perhaps see if there's a hospital near you that will do the same. The HV told me about mine, otherwise I would be none the wiser and still waiting for a first glimpse at 12 weeks.

PolkaDot86 · 04/08/2013 19:04

I would definitely recommend calling your local Early Pregnancy Unit - I had a miscarriage last year so was worried when I found out I was pregnant again, but they offered me a scan at 8 weeks and really put me at ease. I think you do have to self-refer though - my midwife wasn't any help with this!

littleABI · 04/08/2013 20:46

Ok, I'm going to ring the EPU tomorrow and see what they say. No harm done in trying.

TarkaTheOtter · 04/08/2013 21:17

Just to put the other side of the coin, I had a reassurance scan at 10 weeks where everything was fine, then a massive bleed at 11 weeks (about 4 days later). I wouldn't pay for another reassurance scan because I wouldn't feel reassured for more than a few days.

Queazy · 04/08/2013 21:19

If you can pay for the peace of mind, go for it. It sounds like it would be worth it for you x

Writerwannabe83 · 05/08/2013 08:11

Can we have one purely because we just want to see it?

Or do we have to have actual concerns??

CatsCantFlyFast · 05/08/2013 08:27

If you go private you can have a scan for any reason or no reason!

EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 05/08/2013 08:40

With the NHS you need to have a reason usually. Different areas have different rules though, in mine you have to be referred to the EPU.

cookielove · 05/08/2013 08:52

If I have private health insurance do I still have to pay? I would love an early scan

lowra · 05/08/2013 09:48

I'm definitely going to try and get a scan around 7 to 8 weeks. This is so stressful. I feel like all my symptoms have vanished today and my frers arent getting darker :(

OP posts:

CatsCantFlyFast · 05/08/2013 09:51

Private health insurance in the UK normally doesn't cover pregnancy (excluding emergency Caesarians) but check your policy

Fairydogmother · 05/08/2013 10:05

I had a scan at 7 weeks and it was the best money I've spent on this baby so far. Heard the heartbeat and got some photos to keep - gave me massive reassurance. It's an awfully long time to the first NHS scan!

PicnicPie · 05/08/2013 10:16

I had abdominal pain which was a suspected ectopic. Was sent to EPU same day where they saw a ball of cells but no heartbeat. This was five weeks. But I had enough hCG to say it was a pregnancy. I had to wait 7 days before going back to have another scan which showed a heart beat. After worrying so much that it was an ectopic, then to see a little blob beating away was the happiest moment of my life.

Definitely go for it. The stress of worrying about every single pregnancy symptom is enough to drive you mad.

Wishing you all the best x

Pentagon · 05/08/2013 11:16

I would but then again I've had 2 missed miscarriages. Not that I would have been any less devastated had I found out earlier but I wouldn't have wasted 1-2 months thinking/hoping that everything was going well when in fact it wasn't. And the more weeks pass, the more hopeful you get...

My first missed miscarriage was at 5,5 weeks and the second at 7,5. I found out both times at my 12-week scan - I had no bleeding or pain and was completely oblivious.

Statistically, most 1-trimester miscarriages happen between 5 and 8 weeks(when the baby's organs form). If you have a good scan after 8 -9 weeks chances are that the pregnancy will go well. Of course, things can go wrong at any time during pregnancy but it is quite rare.

Thankfully, with both my successful pregnancies (I have 1 DC and I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant with my second) I had a couple of early scans which kept me sane.

Good luck OP and everyone else considering an early scan!

littleABI · 05/08/2013 14:35

Pentagon congrats to you and hope you have a successful pg!

Well after reading these I am thinking of chickening out. I was going to call the EPU today... I have no cramping or bleeding (I do have a medical history which means when I get past 12wks the hosp OB GYN will see me every 2 weeks...)
I don't want to waste their time when they could be scanning someone with far more important reasons than me!! Actually, maybe I will ring. I will say something like "I am concerned and would like to know if you have any spaces available for an early scan." I really don't want to disappoint the parents/inlaws by telling them after my 8 week MW appointment this thurs, and then being told in 4 weeks time that there's nothing. Oh my word I am making this far too complicated.

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maybemyrtle · 05/08/2013 15:09

I can only speak about my EPU, but just wanted to add that it is an emergency clinic and waiting times can be very long. Even with a confirmed first-slot-of-the-day appointment, I've been waiting for up to 3 hours to be seen and there's no way of knowing how long you'll be there. It's not a fluffy baby-scan place, there will be lots of very anxious people in the waiting room with you. EPU wouldn't be my first choice option if I had no real grounds for referral.

Honestly, if you're not bleeding or in pain, I reckon the convenience and comfort of a private scan is worth the cost itself, never mind the reassurance.

maybemyrtle · 05/08/2013 15:11

Sorry clicked post too soon - littleABI I hope your pregnancy goes well. Good luck whatever you decide :)

littleABI · 05/08/2013 15:12

thanks maybemyrtle

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