Best time to get early pregnancy scan?

[BlueDiamond89]

Hi ladies

I'm currently 6+1 and thinking of having an early pregnancy scan as I'm going out of my mind with worry that I've had a mmc.

Can anyone recommend the best time to have the scan?

Thanks x

Hi, I had a lot of early scans as ivf. The best time to go is once a heartbeat and fetal pole are visible which should be now. I would wait though till 8 or 9 weeks as you will be able to see an actual fetus, might even be kicking at that point. Earlier than this it is literally half a cm long and not very exciting I'm afraid and still very early on when bad things can still happen. Statistics show once you reach 8or 9 weeks that chance of mc are seriously declining.

I know how worrying it is but there is nothing you can do. Try to relax!

Hey BlueDiamond,

I really sympathise with you... I felt the same when I first found out I was pregnant and was convinced that it was a mistake or that there is something wrong - it was horrid.

I had a private scan at 8 wks and it was really helpful for me - I saw the heartbeat and realised that it was all real and actually happening... It didn't stop me worrying though I'm afraid! I'm 15 + 3 now and still stressing on and off... Maybe it might help for you to discuss your anxiety with your midwife at your booking in appointment? Mine was lovely and really helpful.

Good luck with everything xx

I'd say at 7 plus weeks as heartbeat should be present....

I've had scans at 7 and 8 weeks. There was a massive difference- at 7 there was a pulsating blob whereas by 8 there was a recognisable minature creature. I would try and hold off till 8 if you're after reassurance.

I'd say 8 weeks.
That's when the stats are really good for everything working out if things are looking ok at that point.

Id try and wait til 8 weeks if you can. If you go earlier and your dates are slightly out you risk not being able to see very much and that could be more worrying. I had one in my first pregnancy due to bleeding at 8+5 (all was fine) and paid for a private one in this pregnancy at what turned out to be 8+6 as the baby was unplanned and I felt a little detached until I saw the blob on the screen!

I found reassurance scans not very reassuring. When I was 7 weeks they saw a heart beat at EPAU, but the following week I went back it showed a MMC. I didn't feel reassured, I felt cheated.

If I hadn't had any scans at all, I would not have got my hopes up in the first place.

I got my dates slightly wrong and ended up having a scan at 5w5d privately, the sonographer had to do an internal to find the baby and saw a tiny little fetal pole about 2mm. I ended up going for an nhs scan at 6w4d cause of bleeding and then had another private at around 8w6d and it was amazing to see how much the baby had grown in just those few weeks and after seeing a HB at the 8 week scan I knew my chances of another MC were slimmer! I know it is hard but try and hold out a couple weeks and then you will be able to see so much more!! X

Thanks ladies, I have booked a scan for 26th Jan so by then I will 8+1 xx

You're doing the right thing waiting. I speak as someone who (fuck knows why) booked an early scan at what I thought was 6+4, only to be told that there was a sac and a fetal pole but no heartbeat. The pregnancy was measuring just 5+6.

I'm now having the most horrific week waiting to go back on Thursday, to find out if it's a missed miscarriage or if my dates are just a bit out.

Save yourself the heartache and wait as long as you can.

Much love and I hope all goes well for you

Good luck. Assuming all is well it shouldn't be too long till the nhs one at 12 weeks after that.