Can you have too many scans? Anxiety 17 weeks

[Kl129]

I’ve already had 3 extra private scans as well as my NHS 12 week scan as I’m so convinced something is gonna go wrong.

I had a really small bleed last week and was totally panicked and it’s sent me anxiety skyrocketing, i booked a private scan for that same night and all was ok thankfully.

But now the anxiety is back, I had been feeling tiny flutter movements and if I don’t feel them I’m getting myself so wound up.

I’m not bleeding now or in pain but I’m so worried and I wanna book another scan. Is it safe to book multiple scans? It’s the only thing that gives me peace of mind.

My 20 week scan isn’t til 26th March and I don’t know how I can wait that long feeling like this 😫

I've had extra ones due to concern baby was small, at first I can 100% sympathise I was worrying all sorts until we got the 20 week anomaly scan.

I'm not sure of the risks (if any) to keep having them. I think this its kind of something you have to curb though because you can't keep doing this for the rest of your pregnancy, you will worry yourself to death (trust me I've had a few wobbles, as my trust is over cautious on babies movements).

If they've shown baby is fine, you need to trust and relax. Maybe speak to your midwife or a labour ward? x

Had 3 before 12 weeks, 1 at 12 weeks then a 3D at 15 weeks, NHS one at 20 weeks another 3D one at 28 weeks then NHS growth scans every 3 weeks until he was born!

So think I had 11 in total and he is perfectly healthy born at 9LB 9!!!

I'm 17+4 and have my 20 week scan on 26th March as well so very similar dates to yourself.

I had 2 early scans at 6 and 8 weeks but only because I found out I was pregnant when overseas (where OH lives) and they offer them as standard there.

I then had my nhs dating scan at 13+6 and another private scan abroad with OH at 16+6.

The scans offer peace of mind for all of half an hour as they only show a small snapshot of one moment in time. It doesn't mean something can't go wrong an hour later or a day later.

There is nothing stopping you getting a private scan every day if you really wanted to but it's not going to stop the anxiety and you will spend an absolute fortune! You'd be better off looking at the root cause of the anxiety and maybe talking to someone about that instead.

It's normal to feel anxious and worried during pregnancy but this sounds worse than normal.

I don’t want to make your anxiety worse, but I don’t think there has been enough research done on scans to accurately predict how safe multiple scans are.

Obviously you weight up the benefits vs risks, so a friend who had a severely prem baby had multiple scans for her next baby to check everything was ok.

But I really think you need to get help for your anxiety as if you continue to get scans you won’t ever address the root concern

Honestly I would spend my time working on the root of the anxiety, find someone to talk to about it. It will help.

My way of looking at it is that no amount of scans is going to do anything if something does go wrong. They will only offer you relief for a short amount of time. You just have to trust that baby is ok until told otherwise.

I had 16 in the end, all medically necessary and NHS, rather than private for reassurance. They only tell you how things are at that time, they don’t tell you what will happen a moment later.

I have major anxiety issues too OP and everyone telling you to deal with your anxiety does not help because honestly I could not tell you why I am so anxious.
I worry every second of every day that something will go wrong because it has taken me 5 years to even get to this point due to complications with my endometriosis. Logically I know baby is okay but because other people have felt movement early on or seem really put together it makes the anxiety worse when you have not felt something. I completely get it, what would be more helpful is people coming up with things that help.
I had a suggestion of pregnancy yoga which I am going to try in the hope it settles my brain, best of luck!

Also as everyone else has said better focusing on getting help for the anxiety, a scan will only put your mind at rest for maybe 24 hours so better to go see your GP or ask your midwife for help x

I have major anxiety issues too OP and everyone telling you to deal with your anxiety does not help because honestly I could not tell you why I am so anxious.

But this is why everyone is suggesting getting help for the anxiety. So much of anxiety is the “what if” and not really knowing why you feel like it as it’s quite irrational. Something like CBT can be hugely helpful as it breaks the anxiety spiral and really does help. Hope you also get some recovery as it really can be miserable to live with

I had 3 high risk pregnancies (my firstborn was stillborn after severe preeclampsia and I also had quite bad gestational diabetes all 3 times)and my kids were probably some of the most scanned ever. Post about 17 weeks they had scans every week to check growth.
They are both ok if that helps.

Im 18w and have already had 6 scans already and due every 2 weeks for the foreseeable (due to previous issues) the mw's have never even mentioned this would be of any concern.

I've had 9 scans so far I'm 25 weeks but I've had lots of issue along the way 3 scans in the early weeks was due to bleeds then my 12 week scan then I've had a bleed since then so another scan and since then I've had more scan as they thought my waters had broken so had a number of scans to determined that my waters haven't broken it's is reassuring to have scans, but for me my biggest reassurance is feeling the baby move I know the posted said she gets the flutters as it early you won't feel them all the time but it lovely when you do feel them. I keep waking up on my back and panick I rub my belly in the morning some time it takes a while but then he gives me a nudge it like he know mum worrying and those movement give me everything I need

I think it's recommended not to have loads just because of anxiety just because it can make you more stressed inbetween. The stress isn't great for the baby or you but the actual scans are fine.

It's perfectly safe for baby to have extra scans. With DD I had them daily at the end when I was in hospital and she was in an unstable position. Following a miscarriage, I had scans at 8 and 10 weeks privately before my 12 week scan. Then had a gender scan at 16 weeks, mostly for reassurance to see him wiggling around.

If you want to have a scan, go for it. It definitely helped me to calm down. Soon enough that baby will be kicking the living shit out of you so you won't be in any doubt. Be kind to yourself!

Enjoy your scans i have had lots because of underlying issues and have been reassured loads of times that the scans are safe because they don't scan for very long. i love my scans. also if you are anxious know that is very normal. when people tell you to get your anxiety checked out it's not always helpful because it is normal especially first time pregnant. when it starts to effect your life then you need to chat to someone. i have found getting reassurance for my worries does the trick and over the past couple of weeks i have learned to manage better

Would it be helpful to get one of those hand held heartbeat monitors so you can listen to your babies heartbeat daily?

I'm 17+3 and have had 2 private scans and 2 nhs scans. I had bleeding at 14 weeks so had an extra nhs scan and had 2 private ones since for reassurance and to find out the gender at 16 weeks. Still spotting but bleeds apparently nothing to do with the baby so going to try and hold on now until my 20 week scan on the 27th. Totally understand the anxiety and stress and I keep thinking something will go wrong but at the same time know its just my anxiety and isn't realistic. The scans helped me so are worth it in my eyes so if they helped you they are worth it.

I'm perfectly happy with the two scans I've had. I'm currently 37 weeks and get all the reassurance I need from baby's movements and hearing his heartbeat at the midwife appointments.
Obviously a different story for anyone who has bleeds or other concerns, I'd definitely want an extra scan in that situation, but don't see the point if it's a healthy pregnancy...

I know what you mean about wanting loads of scans. I'm 11+5 and so far had 3 scans because of bleeding. First one was private when my bleeding started, the next two when I experienced heavy bleeds, most recent being Thursday where I also passed a clot the size of my palm. All times baby has been fine but I feel like the scans have added to my anxieties. My first scan they dated me 9 +2, my next scan almost a week later they dated me at 9+1. They put it down to difference of equipment but it freaked me out. Found out during my next heavy bleed that baby was growing fine. We have our 12 week scan on Wednesday, but if anything I'm looking forward to not having multiple scans!

I had extra scans as I had low pappA every 3 weeks I had a scan and the scan wifie i asked said theres no risks in having a scan

Would it be helpful to get one of those hand held heartbeat monitors so you can listen to your babies heartbeat daily?

Please please DO NOT do this, it’s terrible advice. Unless you’re a medical professional you have no idea what you’re doing or listening to, and if you think you’re listening to the wrong thing you’ll panic and if you listen to something you think is the heartbeat and there is something actually wrong you’ll have false reassurance which could be more dangerous.

I agree with at @ShirleyPhallus this would be the worst thing for someone who already has such bad anxiety