Has anyone had an early NHS scan? What to expect?

[Bluebutterfly90]

Hi, I'm currently 5+3 and I've got a scan on Friday because I have a mildly bicornuate uterus. I only recently found out that I have it and I haven't actually seen it to know how far 'split' it is, and I got pregnant before the gyno appointment I was supposed to be referred to even sent me a letter.
I've had two very early MC's before so my GP referred me for an early scan.
I have googled a bit but I can't really find much describing scans that weren't private.
Will I be able to see a heartbeat at 5+5? Should I be worried if they can't yet? Has anyone had a similar experience? What should I ask when I'm there?

Hiya, I recently had a scan at 5+3. There was just a yolk sac. No fetal pole (start of the baby) or heartbeat because it was a bit early. I went again at 7+1 and the heartbeat etc had developed by then.
I had mine to check position of the baby due to previous ectopic pregnancies.
It will probably be an internal scan at that stage. It’s not great fun but I didn’t find it uncomfortable. I found it best to wear a long top with leggings so it was easy to dress.

I just had a sac at 5+1 went back at 7+1 then saw the heartbeat,so dont worry if you just see a circle with nothing in it .

I had an early NHS scan because I have a (severe) bicornuate uterus. I dont remember it really to be honest, I was 7 weeks and we did see a heartbeat. I absolutely wouldn't panic about no heartbeat at 5 weeks though if you dont see one.
In terms of the bicornuate, its good to know how deep the divide is, which side the baby is in and we asked where the baby had implanted (I'd read that if it implants on the septum bit, it can be associated with worse outcomes).
I'm consultant led and in your position, I'd be asking if you will be too and how you'll proceed wrt monitoring. That conversation will likely come a bit later though.
Good luck with your scan, I hope it (and your whole pregnancy) goes well for you.

We had a scan at weeks 5, 7, 9 and 12 at hospital, same as everyone else already commented on here, Yolk sac then heartbeat and then making sure everything was ok

Oh and just to add, I'm now in the second trimester and all is going well so far and my divide is very deep so hopefully yours will be uneventful too.

I had one when I thought I was 8 weeks and they measured me as 6+6. There was a heart beat. I don't know if there would have been one had it been any earlier so they may ask you to come back. It was a vaginal scan in the Early Pregnancy Unit of the hospital which was completely separate to the maternity unit. They were really nice and obviously used to dealing with people who had previous losses (I hadn't, we were having an early scan for other reasons) and they were happy to give us free photos and talk us through what we were seeing on the screen (which wasn't much!) as well as give us lots of chances to hear the heartbeat. It didn't feel rushed.

I've now got an 8 week old baby in my arms who was born hours into 37+0 so it worked out fine.

I've had both NHS and private early scans. Both treated me well - as others have said, expect an internal scan if it's early. But do drink a lot of water - i had an external scan at 6 weeks on a full blader and they could see everything they needed to, so it's not guaranteed it will need to be an internal. They should try an abdominal first, before sending you to empty your bladder if they need to try an internal. I preferred my private scans, only because the NHS scans were done at the main ultrasound department - I was sent there by EPU as they are next door, and having to sit in the waiting area with ladies excited about their 20w scans with their kids in tow was stressful when we were waiting to confirm an MMC. I'm now in the 2nd trimester of a subsequent pregnancy - I had lots of early scans this time around for reassurance - it really helped me stay sane. Good luck with your scan x

I had a scan at 5+6 which showed a 3.6mm fetal pole with a visible heartbeat. However it’s very common not to see much at that stage. I think I implanted quite early too as I measured two days bigger on my dating scan.

I've had plenty of early scans, both private and NHS. At 5 weeks you see what is basically a circle inside a bigger circle -- baby & uterus. At 6 weeks you can see the yolk sac and MAYBE the fetal pole, though sometimes at the end of 6 weeks you can see a heartbeat. By 7 weeks it looks like an unshelled peanut with a flashing bit (the heart). Went through LOADS of early scans in my first three pregnancies so at this point I'm fairly used to them!

I'm going for an early scan next week (6+1) so it's going to do nothing to calm my nerves, apart from rule out an ectopic.

I saw a heartbeat at 5+3 but every baby is different with DD I saw nothing at 6 weeks just a sac xx

I had one at 5.5 and didn't expect a hb but there was a clear one and clearer again at 7.2