To many ultra sound scans?

[1990fran]

Hi all

Just after some advice, i had a scan 29th july thinking i was 6 wks but instead i was 10.5, saw baby and heartbeat, i have a 12 wk scan on 15th aug but ill be 13 wks by then, I am so tempted to book a private scan this weekend to make sure all is ok, I read that miscarraige chance goes down after seeing hb etc but I am sick with worry after suffering a MC. If i had one this weekend that would mean I have had two in two wks, would this cause harm to baby, is there evidence that it does? Thing is when i go to the NHS one on 15th they will do all the more in depth checks so that would be more beneficial I just dont think i can wait another week, i am struggling to eat, sleep and work I can't take my mind off it!
X

Sorry if I sound really silly or crazy this is my first pregnancy where i am at this stage so everything is new to me, always suffered woth anxiety so I always think worse case scenario x

Ultrasound sonography is in no way dangerous. Why would they use it on pregnant women if it was. That would be irrational.

More scans won't help your anxiety though. I'd suggest you start thinking about alternatives to managing it.

When I was pregnant I had probably about 50 scans in total, maybe even more because I had to be monitored regularly and scanned about 2-3 times a week due to a few issues. It's fine to have multiple scans. My baby was healthy and fine!

If it's just a quick one to check if heart beat still there it's probably ok but unnecessary. I read that good sonographers keep ultrasound intensity down as much as possible and limit time of appointment but that the high street ones may not be so careful as their main priority is getting detailed snaps for their clients. Basically ultrasound produces heat and repeated exposure to heat is not good for the fetus especially first trimester. That's what this article was saying. For me I'm trying to balance this awareness with the need to review the health of the pregnancy. I'm having an extra scan myself at 10 weeks at the harmony test appointment just to save £500 if it's a MMC as I won't have the test if no live fetus. Later on I will need scans in third trimester for growth due to personal risk factors. So it's up to you if you want to have that extra reassurance really x

Echo both these PP.

I had weekly, twice weekly sometimes scans with Dd. She is absolutely fine.

My anxiety however is not. I can absolutely say that you should seek some help ASAP because when that little baby is in your arms the anxiety for me went absolutely crazy. I wish to god I had done something about it sooner.

Agree 100% with above. I’m 19 weeks now and have struggled a lot with anxiety thus far - but the scans I’ve had haven’t really helped (within a day or two I’m back to stressing!). I’ve just had to get better at managing it; still a work in progress! Saying that there’s no harm in multiple scans, so if it will help you then go for it - just bear in mind it’s a long way to 40 weeks, and sadly it’s not really feasible to have scans whenever you’re worried. X

Its just sound . Its harmless

I could be wrong but I vaguely remember being told it's the heartbeat monitor that is more dangerous because of the heat. When I had scans I would sometimes ask to hear the heartbeat and they said they only do that if necessary because of the heat?

Number of scans won’t harm but they honestly don’t help anxiety. It’s just a snapshot and once it’s done you’ll find yourself just as anxious again. It’s worth talking to your midwife about your anxiety

I mean that kindly. I’ve had 3 losses and the anxiety was crippling. The scans didn’t help lessen it

Also nhs one will be your 12 weeks one so will check the NT measurement and give yiu your estimated due date. The in-depth scans that check all the organs etc are at 20 weeks

I had almost weekly scans and several in the first trimester for a couple of reasons

Yes they only help anxiety for a short time but once you start feeling the baby move then that helps massively. So if you think it will help, have it but bear in mind you might want another 1 or 2 until you feel baby move and decide if you can afford to, are willing to and you then decide when you want the scans accordingly

I live abroad and we have them monthly. I live in a very risk adverse country too so I’d be surprised if there was a risk. I had a few extra ones on the first trimester due to spotting, probably had 15 during my whole pregnancy.

Multiple ultrasounds won’t cause any harm to your baby. Definitely have the scan if it will give you reassurance.

Ultrasound scans are perfectly safe for your baby.

I was having them twice weekly towards the end of my pregnancy as they needed to monitor blood flow through the cord.

(And don't worry - we've all had our precious first born moments. You just have to try to keep them under control and think rationally.)