Having an early scan, what to expect, what will be there?

[CourgetteSmuggler]

I am having an early scan, i'm still awaiting a letter from the hospital but I'm assuming it will be around 7 weeks as I'm 5+4 now.

I'm terrified nothing is going to be there, this will be DC2 and I don't remember feeling this anxious before.

What if I can't see a heartbeat at 7 weeks, is this bad news?
What if there is nothing there at all?

If things don't go as expected will they book me in again?

Sorry for all the questions

I had a scan at 6.5 weeks, it was just a tiny blob but heartbeat beating was very clear.

Good luck for yours

you should, assuming all is well, see a little yolk sac, and a blob which is the baby.
you may or may not see a heartbeat, if not then they might ask you to come back in a week or so for another scan. I've had 2 early scans tho and seen the heartbeat both times, thank god!

How long did it take for your letter to come through?
I'm glad everything went well for you

I self referred to epu both times so didn't have a letter.

I'm 5+2 and have had 2 early miscarriages. Both at 5+5.

You should see a heartbeat after 6 weeks, and I wouldn't be worried if you havent had bleeding.. I only had early scans with mine due to bleeding.

I booked in with the doctor who told ne to ring the midwife. The midwife theb told my to ring my early prgnancy unit to book a scan which is the 2nd October should be 8 weeks. In my case midwife doesn't want to book me in until ive had a healthy scan.

But i can remember with my last miscarriage my midwife booked my scan and it took a week to come back and the scan was in two weeks time (so three weeks) never ended uo going.

Stay positive and dint worry x

If you are 7 weeks there should be a heart beat if all is well. If there's no HB your dates might be out, even by a day or 2. Go with a full bladder and they will start with a transabdominal scan. They will then get you to wee, and come back into the room for a vaginal one. It's fine, just the gel is a bit cold. If you have a retroverted uterus (1/3 of us do) they might have to wiggle the probe about a bit.

Thanks, everyone. My GP said she would liaise to organise the scan for me, I'm hoping it will take longer like nobdies as I'll be pulling my hair out if no heartbeat can be found and I have to wait a week to go back.

I'm very anxious and not sure why

Courgette I can't tell from your post if you've had early scans before (are you being scanned because of a previous miscarriage?) but if not then it's worth being aware before you go that they will probably have to use the charmingly titled "fanny-cam" (vaginal probe) as they often can't see what they need to through your abdominal wall early on. It doesn't hurt, certainly less uncomfortable than a smear, but best to be prepared.
If they can't see a bean with a heartbeat they book a rescan in a week, in case dates are out. You would normally be able to see a heartbeat around the 6-7 week mark.
Good luck!

Good luck to Nobodies too.

yes, they may not do a transabdominal one first. round here if you're early in pregnancy they always do a transvaginal one.

the waiting is horrible isn't it?

Courgette I'm now 28 + 6- I had an early scan around 7/8 weeks (was unexpected didn't think they would do one at this appointment) and was by far the sweetest most emotional out of all of my scans (now have had 4 ) so far! I got a bit teary as you just don't think its real at that stage do you, but there the little bean was, I got into my car and burst into hysterics for ages (happy/overwhelmed tears!). Good luck, and enjoy x

Baking thanks for the info, I would assume it will be the fanny cam... I've thankfully never miscarried before (fx) but have crazy cycles since having DD, sometimes, 46CD, sometimes 26CD. So on average try to work on a 34 day cycle, this has made the EDD hard to work out as my periods can be spotting or incredibly heavy?!

Bunda It is quite horrible, I was on the phone to DM this morning and almost wished I just went for the 12 week one as there would either be something to see or not. I feel with the early scan, if there isn't much to see theres still hope to cling onto. I'm not sure why I'm being so negative, probably because this baby is very much wanted. With DD, we were never actively trying.

Burb Your post made me smile I really hope my scan turns out like yours.

I had an abdominal scan when I was 7+2 and there was a little blob with a very definite heartbeat

They do an abdominal scan to locate the pregnancy. To check its not ectopic. It needs to be done in case nothing is found in your uterus. It needs to be done before dildo-cam as it needs a full bladder and dildo cam needs an empty one.

Well it must vary from area to area as I've had 2 early transvaginal scans and no abdominal one.
When I've had later abdominal scans I've never had to have a full bladder either.

I got my letter yesterday and it just said to ensure I had an empty bladder so assuming I'm just getting a dildo cam

I had one at 9 weeks and saw wriggly arms and legs, I expect youll see a heartbeat atleast you should xx

blind how long did it take for your letter to come through?

Do you think you also would be able to rearrange the date? I mean it's okay if not.

DH's DM is coming from South Africa to stay with us for a week and she doesn't that I'm pregnant yet, she doesn't have any other DC and was totally out of the loop when I was pregnant with DD, not that I wanted her to be, but the 10,000 miles made it difficult. I'm really hoping that the appointment will coincide with her trip as I'd love for her to be involved.

Do you think EPU would just tell me to stop being awkward and come to that scan or understand?