Early scans?

[pod100]

Hi, I'm very new to all this - just over 5 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I'm booked in for my first midwife appointment at 8 weeks. I always thought you had to wait until approx 12 weeks for a scan but there seems to be a few people on here talking about getting scans around 8 weeks. Is there a reason for this? It would be good to know what to expect! Thanks

We had one-for me it was purely because we weren't trying and I'd been drinking before I found out I was pregnant. I was anxious to check everything looked OK even at the early stage. With the benefit of hindsight it didn't do much to alleviate my concerns-at 34 weeks I still worry something will be wrong (with absolutely no evidence to suggest it will be I hasten to add! I'm an anxious person). Often people who've suffered losses like the reassurance aswell.

They are private ones that you have to pay for through a private clinic. NHS scans are at 12 and 20 weeks, unless you have symptoms or a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy in which case your GP may refer you for one earlier. I had one at 7 weeks just for reassurance that all was as it should be, and also because my cycles were a bit haywire and I wanted to check for dates. They cost about £100 depending on where you are.

Ah that would explain it! Thanks! Got lots to learn, haha!