Do I opt for early scan ? Advice please

[Babycakes1989]

Hi ladies. I’m currently 5 weeks 3 days and trying to decide whether or not to go for a private early scan. My last and first pregnancy unfortunately ended in a mmc and I only found out at my 12 week scan. The thought of having a scan is terrifying me at the moment and when I see scans being done on tv or films etc I find it hard to watch. Do I just put on my big girl pants and book an early one to help with my anxiety or do I just stay with the 12 week one and pray that history doesn’t repeat itself twice 😢 any experiences , or advice would be much appreciate. Thank you x

I'd be afraid the 5-6 week scan would look fine but then would I m/c anyway. That feels like the most devastating outcome to me. I'd rather wait until 13 weeks b4 I let myself believe the pregnancy was viable. It's just my strategy for coping. I assume the worst until proven otherwise means I don't have to deal with as much disappointment.

No one can tell you right decision for you. Most people who ask your question seem to be happiest by getting the early scan.

I really wouldn't. I think they can give false reassurance or false worry at that stage.

Some people find that at a really early scan they can't see anything on the screen anyway (which undoubtedly would panic you more).

I've been in exactly the same position as you with our first baby, it was really horrible and I still struggle with scans even though I now have a beautiful 20 month old and im 22 weeks pregnant.

I'd definitely say to wait till the 12 week scan if you can. Im sorry the wait will be difficult but the time does pass eventually xx

Thank you ladies you have helped massively. Really appreciate it. Time to sit tight xx

I would rather know and deal with it as early as possible so paid for private scans at 7 and 9 weeks. I don't think there is a right answer though as it's so individual.

I hope everything goes well for you.

@Babycakes1989 I had a MMC in April and fell pregnant again quite quickly after. I did have an early scan but waited until 8 weeks as by then there would be no doubt about whether there was or wasn't a heart beat.

The anxiety went for about a week but then I was still worried for another 3 weeks until the nhs dating scan.

In my heart of hearts I knew it was fine as my symptoms were totally different (sick frequently after eating, sore boobs, cramping) and I didn't get many with the MMC.

The early scan cost £70, I would spend this again for reassurance.

tbh, the whole thing is a series of hurdles.

I concieved through ivf so an 8 week scan was scheduled at my fertility clinic. I'm glad I had it, as I wasn't able to relax at all until I was sure everything was OK. I also would prefer to know early rather than the uncertainty of waiting.

I’m having the same dilemma, OP. I’m 6+2, don’t feel like I can wait until my dating scan which is 12-13 weeks in my trust, but also think I’d cope worse if I saw a heartbeat at 8 weeks then found out at 12 weeks it’d stopped at 9...

I'd perhaps book at 10 weeks but miscarriage can happen anytime and going for reassurance scans is stressful too as you're setting yourself up incase of issue .... perhaps just relax (haha!!) and enjoy feeling pregnant - a scan wont change anything outcome wise

I'm in the same camp as @Sunshinegirl82. I had an mmc back in November and have now just had a 6w scan. For me it's totally worth it, I know that it doesn't guarantee that things will work out. But if something goes wrong I want to know. In my mind one of the worst parts of the mmc was walking around for 3 weeks not knowing something was wrong. I don't want to go through that again. I will have another scan at 9w before the NHS scan.

But there is no right answer though, do what is most comfortable for you.

I mmc-ed. At 12 weeks I looked 7-8 at best. This time round husband was v against an early scan for all the reasons above (false reassurance, what will be will be etc). I couldn’t bear it. I was under a fertility clinic and happened to have a clinic appt at about 7 weeks - the consultant thought it was a no brainer to get a scan and sorted one out for me the next day. Saw a heart beat (and a small haematoma...). I remained in denial and was a mess at my 12 week, but I’m now 23 weeks and doing well.

So I did. And would again, but keep expectations low...

I had an early scan and it was great
But I soon realised that I would get the anxiety again until scan at 12w, then again until 20...
So it wasn't the solution I thought it would

I agree with PPs. But I tend to also bleed during the first trimester even in my healthy pregnancies. With each of my healthy pregnancies I think my 12 week scan was actually my fourth or fifth scans. I find it reassuring for a week, then get anxious again. But because of the bleeding I can access scans at the EPU instead of having to pay for all of them privately.

I’m a believer in early scans. I think early pregnancy support is rubbish enough and full of uncertainty so if you can afford to have a private scan after 7 weeks, then why not. I’d avoid it before 7 weeks and you will just have more worry with the developing heartbeat. I’m 17 weeks pregnant and I’ve scans at 7w, 9w, 12w and 16w. Ive loved monitoring the changes. I also had a mc last year - confirmed by early scans, and I felt grateful to be prepared. Whatever you do will be the right choice for you x

I would get one in a couple of weeks? I found one on groupon for £40 and had it at what I thought was 8 weeks (turned out to be 9) and it reassured me a lot.

Would 100% recommend an early scan we had a private one today as have had 3 previous miscarriages. At 6weeks we got to see a very strong heart beat. I feel I can relax and enjoy being pregnant more now instead of worrying 24/7 which isn't good for me or baby. Good luck x

We had one at 8 weeks and it was such an amazing experience for both me and my DH (and very reassuring).

I don’t think I would go earlier than that though.

Oky thank you I will maybe book for one 8-9 weeks 👍 xxx

@Babycakes1989 I am in the exact same position as you so I empathise with how hard it is. We too had a mmc picked up at 12 week scan, and We've just found out we're expecting again. The first time round we had a scan at 6 weeks which I feel gave us a false sense of security and made it more tough to acknowledge what had happened as we'd seen a heartbeat just weeks before. I'm unsure whether we'll have an early scan again for that reason. However we are grateful that we got to see the heartbeat and have that moment of happiness. I think it is personal preference xx

Hi @Babycakes1989 I had an early scan with my last pregnancy at 7+1. All looked fine at that stage. Went back for another scan at 10+3 and baby had stopped developing a week prior. That was really, really tough. The feeling of elation and hope at the 7 week stage was immense, we practically skipped out of the hospital only to be completely heartbroken a couple of weeks later.

I didn’t have an early scan this time. I waited until 12 weeks and thankfully all was fine! I’m 21+6 today.

On the flip side I had an early scan with DD at 7+4 thanks to bleeding and everything progressed normally. She’s 5 now.

There are pros and cons to early scans. I was told it is fairly rare to have a good early scan with detectable HB and then go on to MC. I think I got told at 7 weeks it was around 3-4%.