Early scans

[KatieBurningham]

Hi all
Id like to go private and have an early scan. I'm 6+1. No medical reason or previous mc or anything just being paranoid.
At how many weeks did you have a scan?
What did you see?
Internal or external?
Thanks
Katie

I had an external at 9 weeks on the button. Saw lots- baby taking shape and a decent heart beat. Saw more than i expected and was such a great thing to do. she told me there and then that my risk of MC dropped to 3%..

Woudlnt recommend it before 8 weeks- as your risk of MC would still be high enough until after 8 weeks.

Internal at that stage. Personally don't like internal scans they are uncomfortable. Saw flashing white light which was heartbeat. X 2. Problem is, once you have had that scan you will then the following week be back feeling paranoid and wanting another one, I speak from experience here, I would have had a scan every day for peace of mind! Anxiety is very normal but scans only give you reassurance for a short while before the anxiety comes back.

Good luck with your pg

I had them at 6,9,12,13 weeks then every 4 weeks.

If no medical reason wait till 8 weeks or preferably nine. If you see a heartbeat at 8 weeks then the chance of miscarriage drops right down. If you have a scan at 6 weeks it does not provide that much reassurance it justtells you things are ok on that day. Also if your dates are even a tiny bit out you might not see heartbeat at 6 weeks and then you would perhaps be very worried indeed for no reason. I had a six week scan in my last pregnancy and all you can see is a tiny blob. Three weeks later you could see a lot more.

Also at 8 weeks scan will most likely be external.

I had a scan at 6+ a few days, I was worried that I was having a mc so the dr refereed me for an early scan. They can get a picture without having to do an internal scan at 6 weeks (which is why I waited until then tbh). You can't seem much, but I did get a picture...best of all I could hear the heart beat.

...but I would agree with waiting, I am still no clearer now what is happening, I will be scanned again, all I know (like Katandkit said) is that things were ok on the day that I went in.

Yes, if it is just reassurance wait until 8-9 weeks and get a good reassurance scan, most likely external. It should show a heartbeat and give you good reassurance that the miscarriage risk has dropped a lot.

If you have an earlier one, as others have said you won't see much and will find yourself wanting another one a week later.

Thanks very much everybody for the advice. I guess I need to be a little more patient. Just days are dragging which I guess is normal.
I'm over weight, size 16 and have a podgy belly. Would this make scans more difficult at 8/9 weeks like you guys have suggested or would they still be able to find something externally?
Thanks again for all if the advice x

No, i am a size 18 with a mummy tummy and i had a scan recently at 8+2 and it was done externally.

Hi Katie I had one at 5w 5d and saw the sac (looked like a black jelly bean) but too early for heartbeat. It was a private scan, the chap who did it said to come back in 2 weeks and he scanned me again for free and this time saw a little blob and a heartbeat and heard the heart beat (my fave noise in the whole world! )

I am a size 16/18 with a belly and both scans were external and we could see what we needed to. (needed a VERY full bladder to push everything forward!)

Good luck! :-)

Thank you both !
That makes me feel better.
Oh what to do lol
Thanks x

I had a scan (external) at 7 weeks although I was dated as 6+6. The embryo and heartbeat were clearly visble, it was very reassuring.

I'm a size 14-16 by the way, so it's not like you need to be skinny to get an early external scan.

Hi scans before 8 weeks are a waste of time as there is no guarantee you can see anything. If you don't then you just fret anyway. I had to wait between 7-13 weeks for another scan and it was so stressful as scans at 6 and 7 weeks showed nothing. It all depends on your dates, development, bowel, bladder, etc etc. And before 8 weeks it's still very much in the air. I know it's so tough (had a mc too) but every week you leave it more will be visible and it's so worth it.

My doctor said the good rule of thumb to follow is if there is no blood then wait until at least 8-9 weeks. Most places here refuse to scan before 12 unless like me you have a medical reason. I know also ultrasounds are safe but they are reluctant where I live to do too many (have just had scans on Friday, yesterday and today though!).

Thanks everyone.
Think I will book one for around 8 weeks.
Have emailed a place now asking for a bit more info, and said I don't want internal so when do they recommend me coming for external. Will wait and see what they say.
Thanks everybody!

Good luck, the worrying is really hard to deal with hope all ok with you. Don't tell nhs you had the scan they can sometimes be funny about you having an nhs one at 12 weeks if you have already had one.

im approx 6 weeks and had an early scan on monday after having some bleeding at the weekend, all i seen was a dark jellybean type shape with a white dot, no heartbeat as too early but after measurements they confirmed 6 weeks which we werent sure of. also told me that the sac is growing as it should be which was reassuring,

ive had no more bleeding but lots of nausea yesterday and today which a senior midwife at me work says is a good sign!

i have been referred back for another scan in 2 weeks to check progress and hopefully hear heartbeat.

in my opinion if nothing wrong hold off until 8 weeks when it will be much more to see and be worth it.