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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Early reassurance scan did the opposite

50 replies

ellies28 · 19/01/2018 12:07

I had a mmc last year which was found at the 12 week scan, it was an awful experience and I had a bad depression afterwards.

At the beginning of January I found out I was pregnant again and have immediately started suffering from terrible anxiety. So this week which I thought was 6 weeks I went for a private scan.
All it's done has made things worse, they couldn't see anything on the scan apart from the yolk sac, no sign of an embryo or heartbeat. I asked about an internal scan and was told it was pointless as they wouldn't see anymore.
The person doing the scan was quite patronising and I felt I couldn't ask them any questions. I'm not too happy about it as it was expensive we didn't go to the cheapest place. I have never had a private scan before, would they tell you if they suspected something was wrong.
I burst into tears as soon as I got in the car and now don't know what to think. I want another scan in 2 weeks but my husband thinks we should just wait until 12 weeks. He says to stop worrying and just let things happen.
It's not that easy though.
I have no one to talk to about it either we have not told anyone after last time.

OP posts:

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Girlwiththearabstrap · 19/01/2018 12:18

Pregnancy following loss is really hard, I'm sorry.

If they saw a sign of a miscarriage they would tell you.
However, an abdominal scan only is unlikely to show anything at such an early gestation so it doesn't mean anything is wrong. I'm surprised they didn't offer an internal although I've never had a private scan so I dont know what's normal.

MMC are quite rare (i know it doesnt feel like that when youve had one) so in the absence of pain or bleeding try and assume that all is well.

ChocolateButton15 · 19/01/2018 12:18

It's possibly just too early to see anything, you might be more like 5 weeks pregnant. What does it say on the scan report?
If you aren't happy email them to complain about the scan and ask if they can rescan. If you are really worried call your hospitals early pregnancy unit, the number should be on your hospitals website.
It's probably all fine, I'm sure they would of said if anything is wrong. I had an early scan at 9 weeks and a gender scan at 15 weeks as I kept getting so anxious but the scans didn't really help, a couple of days later I would be worrying again!

ClaireBear1986 · 19/01/2018 12:20

From what I understand it can be very difficult to pick up a heartbeat or anything at 6 weeks.

I rang for a private scan at Baby Bond and was told to book it for a few weeks later than I planned to ensure I was over 6 weeks as they didn't like doing them that early for that reason. I booked it and they dated me at 9 weeks. Saw a little bean on the screen and a heartbeat.

My friend had her dates wrong and ended up having her private scan at 5 weeks. Due to this there was no heartbeat at that stage, and they kindly offered her a free re-scan 3 weeks later.

ChocolateButton15 · 19/01/2018 12:21

If you do decide to go back for another scan I would leave it 2-3 weeks. In my first pregnancy I had a lot of nhs scans at the epu due to bleeding and it wasn't til week 8 you could see anything really

AlmostCrawling · 19/01/2018 12:21

I had a MMC as well and in my next pregnancy I went for a reassurance scan at the hosptial at 7+2 they couldn't see anything so they done an internal scan and they found it straight away measuring at 6+6. Would it be worth contacting your EPU to see if they would get you in? From what I've read online I wouldn't expect an embryo to be visible on an abdominal scan at 6 weeks especially as you could be a few days out and that can make all the difference. I can't believe they didn't do an internal it sounds like a terrible service from the ultrasound company.

Rumpledfaceskin · 19/01/2018 12:29

I did same in my pregnancy after a loss and they didn’t see anything at 1st private scan around 6 weeks. However the lady doing it did warn me that they might not and said I could go back in 2 weeks free of another charge when things had progressed. It was fine. IMO they shouldn’t really offer to do them so early! Dealing with the anxiety is so hard. Mine lasted most of the pregnancy. Doc prescribed me some reading to deal with it which did actually help surprisingly, good luck.

Sazjh · 19/01/2018 12:29

I've been through a similar experience, sorry to hear you haven't been reassured. You could request a blood test. In early pregnancy this can be a better indicator that it is progressing xx

littlepooch · 19/01/2018 12:32

Ah I, so sorry. I went through similar in a previous oregnancy and waiting to be rescanned was the worst 2 weeks ever. I'm very surprised they didn't tell you come back in a couple of weeks? That is the normal practice when they can't detect a heartbeat early on.

But at this early stage even a day or two can make such a difference so don't lose hope. I'm pregnant again but going to wait until I'm around 8 weeks before going for a scan as I'm terrified of what happened before happening again.

Hugs to you. I would get another scan. You'll only be worrying until 12 weeks x

Halfdrankbrew · 19/01/2018 12:37

I was having terrible pains and bleeding at 6 weeks so was sent for a scan at the epu. All we saw was the sack, no heartbeat and that was an internal scan. They told me that it was completely normal to not see anything else at the point I was at (they were checking the location of the pregnancy as it was suspected it was ectopic). We went back 2 weeks later and there was a little heartbeat flickering away. She's a very healthy 2 year old now .

Try not to worry, it sounds like you might just be too early to see anything xx

cherryontopp · 19/01/2018 12:55

Sorry about your loss OP.

I had an early reassurance scan with my IVF at 8 weeks. They dont do them earlier as they are less accurate, and more often than not, they cant see anything.

Did you not research early scans? Or did it not say anything when booking scan its unlikely to see anything at 6 weeks? They definitely should have. It was a waste of money and made you more upset.

Definitely book another one at 8 weeks, and if there is anything, it will show by that stage.

Good luck

StylishMummy · 19/01/2018 13:07

We didn't see a heartbeat on the early scan until 8 weeks and 5 days

whateveryouknow · 19/01/2018 13:11

Hi Ellies28, I had a similar experience myself. I am an older mum so the midwife sent me for an early scan around 7 weeks gestation to ensure the baby is in the right place and so on. I had the scan and even though it was internal they only saw the yolk sac but no heart beat. I was beside myself and so worried but waited until my 12 weeks scan and luckily all was well. Don't worry try some yoga and relax hopefully everything would be fine at the 12 weeks scan. 🤞

Dozer · 19/01/2018 13:12

They shouldn’t have done a scan at such an early stage for the reasons PPs have explained: it is much too soon to “reassure”. I would complain and ask for a second, free scan at 8 weeks. Or book a scan elsewhere in a couple of weeks.

I wouldn’t wait til the NHS scan at 12/13 weeks given your (understandable) anxiety. Decisions on scans etc are solely for you to take: your DH might have his views, but it’s your body (and mental health) so your choice.

After recurrent mcs I had severe anxiety during pregnancies and sought help with this, which helped me a lot. would recommend doing that if anxiety becomes hard to manage.

idontlikealdi · 19/01/2018 13:14

My private clinic wouldn't scan me until 7 weeks minimum for exactly this reason (also after MMC). I know but sounds stupid but try to relax and hang on for another scan at 8 weeks.

Eatingallthecake · 19/01/2018 13:14

I have had several early scans for reassurance as I have also had missed miscarriages. Anything before 9 weeks has always been an internal scan. I've been seeing a private specialist and he even did an internal scan for an 11 week one as it's a lot more accurate. A lot of places I researched said that they will only do internal scans before 9 weeks as an abdominal scan before that point just isn't as accurate.

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic. I really do think 6 weeks is too early to see anything on an abdominal scan. If it's an option for you, I would say wait until you're 7-8 weeks and go for another scan, but insist it's internal. It sounds unpleasant but it's honestly not that bad. I know your anxiety levels will be sky high, and waiting til the 12 week scan will seem like a lifetime.

wtffgs · 19/01/2018 13:14

I had scans at 6 and 7 weeks after private fertility tx at an NHS clinic (too old then to qualify for funding, the cut-off was 35!)

You can definitely see DD on both. It was an internal scan and routine after tx.

Wishing you all the very best

coastalchick · 19/01/2018 13:19

I am having consultant lead care and am 5 weeks on sunday. He won't scan me until 7+2 for that reason, plus I know I'll need internal as I have a titled uterus.

I would complain and asked to be re-scanned for free in a couple of weeks.

I know how terrible anxiety can be - lots of love xx

Ihatemarmite123 · 19/01/2018 13:29

I had exactly the same! I was 6 weeks by my dates and had an early scan and there w as only a yolk sack. I had another scan a week later and there was a baby! Im now 14 weeks (15 by dates). I worry all the time that this baby has died because i lost my first. Hang in there, have another scan in a week.

Peachy92 · 19/01/2018 13:37

I think you're really brave for opening up and that's the best way to keep your fears at bay. Keep talking to the MNers. You are clearly a very loving and caring person as you're very concerned, so just keep thinking positive about your pregnancy as that's the best you can do. Your body will do the best job it can if you trust in it. Worrying will definitely give you anxiety but if nothing has happened to make you worry with this PG (bleeding etc.) then as far as you're concerned everything is going to plan. Hugs to you and lots of good luck xx

Nikki2ol6 · 19/01/2018 15:21

I had an early scan with my son and I was 6 weeks and all they seen was an empty sac! Not even a yolk sac. 1 week later it was all there with a strong heart beat. I guess it was just a little too early. Do you feel pregnant?

sirlee66 · 19/01/2018 15:33

Aw Hun! Give it 2 weeks and go back. We had 3 early scans before we hit 12 weeks (£90 each time agghhh) soooooooooooo expensive but just had to do it because we couldn't quite believe we'd got lucky and so kept thinking we'd lost the baby.

If it puts your mind at rest, it's money well spent.

Best of luck!!

Thissameearth · 19/01/2018 15:38

I had NHS scan at 6 weeks due to bleeding (and a recent early miscarriage at around 6/7 week stage). I saw a heartbeat at 6 weeks but only with internal scan. Scanned a week later as bleeding continued and still used internal scan as far as I can remember. It was reassuring but not entirely so as I knew still in 13 week riskier period but i didn't want to build my hopes up. I imagine whatever happens you'll still worry - so can see where your husbands coming from. A MMC at your planned scan must have been horrific. It's a shame you didn't have better treatment. I got private scan at 10/11 weeks, as still bleeding but NHS said they were untroubled now from the two scans. It was in private clinic it was only £120 and it was a consultant radiologist who took her time and gave us a written report while we waited and loads of photos.

Thissameearth · 19/01/2018 15:39

Nb that heartbeat is asleep on me just now

Thissameearth · 19/01/2018 15:43

Oh and finally - the private clinic I went to will not offer scans before 7 weeks.

GoodMorning1 · 19/01/2018 15:58

I had a MMC. Next pregnancy the NHS offered me a reassurance scan at nine weeks. They said it would be a waste of time time any sooner. Ask your GP if that's possible.

With the MMC - i had an NHS scan at five or six weeks because i had some pain (which turned out to be unrelated to the MNC) - but it had to be internal. I've never heard of an abdominal scan showing anything as early as six weeks - sounds like a bit of a dodgy practice on the part of the private clinic to me.

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