Gestational or Fetal age

[P1x1eDu5t]

When booking an early reassurance scan do you go off the gestational age or fetal age.
(Is there like a 2 week difference depending on length of cycle???)

I want the scan to be done at 8 weeks - that's my chosen week (it's a private one not standard NHS). I want it so there's another 4 weeks before I get my free NHS 12 week one.

I'm so confused by the 2, I'm hoping I get get some advice on here from someone who's get experience from having that scan done so I don't sound really silly when trying to contact the private clinic. I just want to know what I'm asking for.

Is the '12 week scan' that you get standard from the NHS done on gestation or fetal age/date?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help 💕.

It’s the number or weeks from the last menstrual period assuming regular cycles.

If your cycles are irregular but you have an idea of when you conceived, then an 8-week scan would be 6 weeks after the conception date.

Thank you so much JoJoSM2. 

When you take the pregnancy test (when your period is due) you are considered 4 weeks pregnant. My 7 week scan was 3 weeks after that. Only thing to remember is they can’t always pick up the heartbeat that early so don’t worry if they ask you to return or wait until your 12 week scan.

Thank you TeddyBear45. I didn't think of that re: heartbeat. I'm so nervous & feel that waiting 12 weeks is too long 🙈... I just want to make sure things are ok. Thanks for your advice.

There would definitely be a heartbeat at 7 weeks on a transvaginal scan. Even sooner is possible. But if you aren't completely sure about the dates, I'd wait till 8-9 weeks. That way you won't risk being a little bit off and not seeing what you'd like to.

Based on dates I will be 8 weeks & 1 day come the day of my scan. I've gone off my average cycle length using pregnancy conception apps where I've input my flow for the last 8 months. I don't know exactly when conception was, just the 1st date of my last period. I think I'm going to request the transvaginal scan as that is an option for a small fee more just for precaution. Thank you :)