Frequent Ultrasounds in first trimester

[Clarapur]

Hi all

I am looking for some advice on ultrasound safety in early pregnancy. I have had two previous miscarriages and I am currently 11 weeks pregnant. I suffer from anxiety usually but it has been at an all time high because I am so worried about having another missed miscarriage. Anyway, I had a NHS scan at 6 weeks and then have had 3 private scans at 8, 9 and 10 weeks due to spotting and bad cramping, all have been okay luckily and I have found them to be reassuring but I am concerned this is harmful. The gynaecologist who managed the D&C for my second miscarriage said he provides weekly scans for pregnant women with high anxiety but there is always something to worry about isn’t there. I have had such bad cramping last night that it kept me awake. I’m thinking I might go for another scan on Tuesday which will be a week before my 12 nhs week scan. Is this really bad?? Thank you for any advice, I’m just so scared. I hope that once I’ve passed the first trimester I can relax a bit and just have the usual scans offered.

The over use of ultrasound in the first trimester does have associated risks. More so
If used by someone who is not a qualified practitioner. Which many people who work in private clinics are not. There are studies that show using power/colour Doppler and scanning with the thermal index over 1 increases Cavataion of the cells ( a heating effect) as the cells are developing, the cells divide and grow the heating effect can cause the cells to mutate, not develop correctly.
Have a look on the BMUS or SOR website I also found this article below.

www.bmus.org/static/uploads/resources/BMUS-Safety-Guidelines-2009-revision-FINAL-Nov-2009.pdf

I understand having previous miscarriages and the anxiety of wanting to know if your baby is ok- ultrasound is a real time examination, it certainly isn’t a guarantee that going for scans weekly from 5 weeks will save a pregnancy because it won’t.

I hope you don’t mind me asking if you have been going for scans almost every week what are you going to do when you get to 12 weeks? Continue until 40 weeks?

As @CherryPavlova said look at your anxiety, your midwife can refer you, my friend had free hypnotherapy and counselling whilst pregnant for anxiety.

They don’t use Doppler until 16 weeks, though how do I find out if the clinic is using power/colour scanning as described in that link? The website describes it as 2D scanning.

I have asked my midwife for further referral for anxiety. My hope is that once I make it to 12 weeks it will be a bit better as likelihood of miscarriage will have reduced by that point. I am intending to wait for the usual scans offered. I appreciate your replies @CherryPavlova and @shinybadger

Just out of interest having looked at my previous scans, thermal index is shown as 0.1. It appears they are using B-mode scanning. From a RCOG presentation:

• A 2-D ultrasound presentation of echo-producing interfaces; the intensity of the echo is represented by the brightness of the spot, and the position of the echo is determined from the position of the transducer and the transit time of the acoustical pulse and its echo
• provides the lowest power output and intensity, and therefore, the lowest thermal index (TI) and mechanical index (MI).
• Considered safe in all applications

However this does not indicate safety in frequent use and still maintains that equipment should be used by those who are properly trained.

If you're 11 weeks now then there is no sense worrying. One extra isn't going to make a difference. What's done is done, you will drive yourself mad looking for evidence. I'd only do that if you're trying to make a decision about whether to have more or not.

Personally I found a home Doppler extremely reassuring and found I could find the heartbeat from 10 weeks. As soon as I could feel movement, I got rid of the Doppler (had borrowed from a friend, so gave back) and contacted my doctor if I was concerned by a change in movements instead. Dopplers can be dangerous if they provide false reassurance, but at the stage I was using it there was nothing they could have done anyway.

But I'm lucky and have felt first movement at around 13 weeks with both of mine.

Having had recurrent miscarriages and with a DH whose genetics make him produce miscarrying babies at least 25-50% of the time, I did a lot of reading, and it seems twelve weeks is only the magic number because most people have a scan around then. What the real turning point in safety is is passing 10 weeks with evidence of a heartbeat. Most missed miscarriages happen before ten weeks but then aren't discovered until the twelve week scan.

Thanks @BertieBotts, you’re right, what’s done is done and hopefully all is okay. Glad to hear getting past 10 weeks with evidence of a heartbeat is a turning point.

Hi I am now in a similar situation as I have also had lots of scans in my first trimester. How is your baby now? Hope everything goes well!

Hi, I also sent to scans nearly everyweek, how is your baby now, hope everything goes well?

Hi @Winniening, my little one is almost 18 months and he is perfectly healthy, I’m glad I had the scans as they provided the reassurance I needed. I’m currently pregnant with my 2nd and have had 4 scans in the first trimester to provide reassurance. Hope all goes okay for you!!