Early scan thoughts

[SaltedCaramelEverything]

DH and I are are considering an early scan around 10 weeks, due to some social events where me not drinking would be really tricky.

We’re going to wait and see when our NHS 12 week one comes through for first, as hopefully it may end up being slightly early anyway. Currently by LMP I’d be 7 weeks (which NHS used with DC1) but I know I ovulated late so make myself 5+2.

We’d still only tell people we would be happy to untell if anything happens, just about 4 close family members and 2 friends.

Has anyone had an early scan? Was it reassuring? Can they tell you much Interested to hear any experiences. Thanks in advance.

We had an early scan at 7 weeks, they date the pregnancy and check everything is in the right place ie not ectopic.
They'll see more at 10 weeks as it'll look like a baby by then but not sure how much other measuring they do so early.

Your 12 week scan is unlikely to come before 11+2 based on lmp

Yes from 3 weeks! Every couple weeks (twins).
It's likely to be a vaginal scan but check, technology may have improved and maybe they can do a 10 week scan by ultrasound now.

Hey, I had an early scan due to bleeding last year had to be done TV. Thought I was 12 weeks but I had had a MMC and was only measuring 5.

Had an early scan with this pregnancy at 8 weeks (had spotting at 5 but they were reluctant to scan this early as you can't always see HB) scan was done over the belly and all was well.

They dated me a bit less than I was but it's hard to measure when they are so small.

Why would you not drinking be tricky? X

I think OP means her not drinking would be obvious and would make it tricky not telling people. Not she wants a scan so she can have alcohol

Had one at 11+3 after a bleed that the NHS wouldn’t investigate. Cost £90 at a private scan company. It was amazing, absolutely loved it, saw everything on a big tv screen in the room and they spent about fifteen mins scanning and showing us things and taking measurements, got digital copies of loads of the images and about seven or eight different hard copies. Couldn’t have gone better, we loved it and fab value for money.

Can you not just say that you are driving? I've also found it's easy to fake drinking by just drinking tonic water

Had one at what turned out to be 6+5 due to ahem maternal anxiety. Was in there for about a minute, they got a pretty clear view of the tiny blob and we saw its heart beating. I'm usually pretty tight fisted but it was worth every penny of the £75 we paid.

Private clinic was full of pink and blue fluff and sequined objects. DH was totally out of his comfort zone

I had one at EPU at 9+2 due to a lot of bleeding.... this was my only scan till 20 weeks with my first as I didn’t opt for screening.
Scan was normal not TVS and showed a little bean and heartbeat

We had one at 8+5, it was an abdo scan, v reassuring, still a long wait until 12 weeks but for me at least I knew that there was definitely a baby in there (I'm v anxious). Good luck.

I didn't need a tvs either.

I booked one for 8 weeks after a previous MMC, felt a long time getting to it but didn't want to wait til the 12 week scan for potential bad news again.

Well worth the money for us.

I've had two - one at 6+0 which was fantastic and lovely staff. The second at 8+5 and I was told the baby had no heartbeat. There's two sides to the coin unfortunately and what you are told applies only in that moment. Reassuring yes but only briefly.

I bled a lot on first 12 weeks and went for a few early scans at epu. The woman told me that once you have a scan and see a heartbeat at any gestation, it's the same as having a 12 weeks scan in terms of the risk. I.e I had a scan and saw heartbeat at 8 weeks and that it meant there was the same risk as at 12 weeks so you're able to tell people x

I had an early scan at 7+4, it was very good to know there was an actual baby where it should be rather than an ectopic or blighted ovum. Would definitely recommend!

Thanks so much for the replies! Will definitely look to see what’s available locally depending on NHS scan date.

Re not drinking - I won’t drink, but have a couple of evenings planned where that’ll be very obvious (without DH who can help me cover!). Rarely drink anyway, just typical timing but if I don’t end up having a scan I’ll probably just have to tell those friends anyway!

Just tell the close friends anyway, as you say, you'd be happy to untell them anyway.

Order a large glass of wine and just don't drink it, when you go to the loo, pour bits away and if anyone says "do you want a drink?" point to your half full glass and say I'm good, ta. It works a treat rather than the antibiotics/designated driver stuff

Hi Hun firstly congrats on the baby! I had an early scan as me and my midwife were unsure on dates due to me getting pregnant right after my miscarriage!
I had an abdominal scan and the sonographer ha no trouble finding baby, looked like a little bean, found a good strong heartbeat. It was amazing to hear and out my mind at ease! I was put at 7+2.
Although I didn't have to pay for it I definitely would if I hadn't of had this scan, made everything seem so real and amazing, would be so worth the money!! :) X

I used to drink at all social occasions. I found out I was pregnant between Christmas and New year. I just told people that I was either on antibiotics for a UTI, I was driving, or I had cut my alcohol down to one night a week and that tonight wasn't the night.

I wouldnt buy a glass of wine and then pour it away. I hate waste lol!

Hope all goes well for you. X