Early scans: good or bad idea?

[Monipop84]

I am 6 + 3 weeks today and debating whether to get an early scan. My doctor seems to think that it's a waste of time and money and sometimes makes people feel upset or unnecessarily worried - because there might be no heartbeat, as it's too early, etc. Lots of people seem to get these scans though and as we have started telling close friends,it makes me nervous that "I don't know what's in there" (I know, first pregnancy, excuse my silliness ) What is your experience with early scans and would you recommend one?

Personally think they are a waste of money but everyone I know who has had one has either been falsely reassured then gone on to micarry or been panicked due to not finding a heartbeat. But some people love them.

Ive had two in two pregnancies. Saw a heartbeat at both and both progressed into healthy pregnancies.
It’s entirely personal choice though. Seeing a heartbeat doesn’t guarantee a healthy pregnancy, but if you’re going to lose it then unfortunately that will happen whether you’ve had a scan or not.

I've had 2 pregnancies and in my 2nd I had 2 early scans each healthy with heartbeat but lost when I got to 14 week so doesn't mean anything but personally I'll be having one in my next pregnancy, midwife and epu said they'd offer me more frequent scans in next pregnancy as I've had 2 losses x

It depends person to person. 1st pregnancy the early scan was a bit stressful as baby was initially a slow starter but caught up. Recent pregnancy early scan probably saved my life as it showed an ectopic.

I paid for an early scan at 8 weeks, reason being I had severe cramping and a bit of spotting (which midwife said was normal) but very little symptoms, so I was concerned something was wrong. A heartbeat was found and everything looked normal, so I’m glad I went for mine because it gave me some reassurance. I know it could still go wrong but I felt like I could enjoy the start of the pregnancy a little more. Had I not had cramping and spotting I don’t think I’d have gone.

What id definitely avoid doing is having an scan very early on, such as at 6 weeks. If no heartbeat is detected then you’ve got the agony of waiting to go back and not know what’s going on. X

You will be able to find a heart beat at 6w3days. AND it should be easy to find. I’ve done scan training and early pregnancy’s are actually easier to find

I think they should be banned. The number of poor women on here who get funny results then get really stressed.

I don't think they are a good idea as they can give you false reassurance. Best just to get to 12 weeks and then have the dating scan.

I personally found them invaluable after a loss in my first pregnancy, as I deal with my own anxiety by knowing what is happening. Whether it’s good or bad, I’d like to know and be fully informed as early as possible instead of being taken by surprise. Thankfully this baby was doing okay - despite a slow heartbeat at 6 weeks - and I’m now 29 weeks.

I've had early scans in 3 of 3 pregnancies. First one at EPU due to bleeding - turned out to not be good news and was a complicated loss. I've then paid to have scans at 8/9 weeks because I still didn't meet requirements for early scans on the NHS in my area; both times have been fine. DS1 and 21 weeks now. Like a PP, I wanted to know as early as possible if something was wrong. I was told by the very experienced doctor that I went to for my early scans that the chance of miscarriage is very low if a scan looks good at 8/9 weeks. I would do it again, definitely.

They can give reassurance, but only that everything is alright at that moment. Personal choice; I'm not sure I see the point (unless it's because you've had bleeding or some other cause to go and get checked).

I had an early scan I was convinced I was 9 weeks only a sac could be identified and the woman scared the shit out of me, basically told me I was probably having a miscarriage but the place I went to didn’t do internal scans so couldn’t actually check fully. Had to wait 3 days for epu appointment then had spotting and totally freaked out! Had internal scan the next day and I was actually only 7 weeks and they found a heartbeat. I wish I’d never bothered getting that scan it brought me no end of worry.

I had one at 8 weeks and it was amazing.

I wasn't sure how far along I was and we had plans to emigrate so I was keen to know! We paid for one and I was just over 7 weeks, all fine. We adjusted our plans to fit and I'm now 28+6

Had I known how far along I was I don't think I would've been fussed, however DH was really keen and probably would again. Although I had lots of symptoms, the early scan made it much more real for him.

I wouldn't personally have one unless for medical reasons.

I've had two complicated pregnancies which involved extra scans and monitoring with ctg 2-3 times a week and frankly the idea of 'extra' just doesn't appeal (in 2nd and 3rd trimester so never saw anything prior to standard 12 week scan).

The wait until 12 weeks is very long though so I understand why woman do - I was so nervous this time round as we had a loss in December.

If needed for a medical reason youl get them via your NHS trust.

Hi @Monipop84 I think it depends on your state of mind. Early scans can definitely cause anxiety. Every time we have had one, I have become extra nervous in the lead up. On the other hand, if you are suffering from severe anxiety they can be good for reassurance - but then you have to be careful not to feed the anxiety. For me it's about working out the right balance for you.

I have a history of anxiety and went through IVF. Most IVF ladies have a scan at 7-8 weeks. At 6 weeks my anxiety levels were through the roof so I had an early one. It helped me because of my particular mindset.

You just have to know yourself and what you need and use them wisely! Good luck x

I had one and because I didn’t know how far along I was, I was glad. Because I was shown to be 12 weeks when I estimated about 6-8.

That meant I could move my nhs dating scan in time for the chromosome tests

I’ve just had the 12 and 20 week NHS scans. Didn’t really know much about reassurance scans before getting pregnant but they do seem massively popular on here. Definitely not for me but obviously I might feel different if I’d previously miscarried etc.

I had one at 8+2 and seeing the heartbeat made me more connected with it as I thought it wasn't there before (7 years off contraception) so I would def recommend. I am now 13+ 3 x

I had one at about 7 weeks in my first pregnancy as it was through fertility treatment, the clinic arranged it and we were DYING to see something in there. It was lovely to have some shred of evidence I was actually pregnant!
Second time around I don't think I will, I guess I'm not as anxious as first time around and also don't have the time best of luck

I would have one no earlier than 9.5 weeks, if you see a heartbeat then your chances of a miscarriage go down to 2.5% any earlier is no reassurance in my mind and are only useful incase of suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Agreeing with @peachesarenom I went for a scan at around 10 weeks (nhs didn’t know my dates) and had had a mmc (baby measured 9 weeks). In my next pregnancy I paid for a scan at I though 9.5 weeks...turned out to be 10.5 weeks along. I was glad I did go at that point. Pregnancy again now 5weeks 5/6 days along. I plan on going at the same time this time.

Thanks Lumpy76 I feel that way because with my first pregnancy I saw a heartbeat at 7 weeks and lost it. This pregnancy they sent me for loads of early scans, couldn't find a gestational sack, then baby not big enough, all sorts of unnecessary pain only to have caught up by 9.5 weeks and now 22!

I wouldn’t do it. I had two in my last pregnancy which wrongly reassured me all was ok because I still went on to have a missed miscarriage. I also wouldn’t want to be in the setting of a private scan having found out bad news. My local private scanning department is in Mothercare which would be hugely triggering for obvious reasons. The sonographers also aren’t trained to dish out bad news.

Thanks everyone! @OutPinked you are so right - my nearest private scan clinic is in Mothercare as well. I hadn't really thought how that would make me feel in case of bad news - but yes, now I can see it would be hugely upsetting!