Early 6 week scan

[Aprilsun20]

Hello ladies,

I am 35 and pregnant for the first time after a long time of trying.

In the hope of reassuring myself I paid for an early/viability scan today. I am 6 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I am pretty sure I know exactly when I conceived.

The sonographer used a transvaginal scan. She was able to identify the pregnancy sac in the uterus and the yolk sac. She could also see the 'Fetal pole' but said the CRL was only measuring 3.8mm and she could not see a heartbeat. She said by 6 weeks, they would except the CRL to be 6 or 7mm and to see a heartbeat.

I was told the pregnancy may have stopped growing and no longer be viable or it may just be too small and dates are slightly wrong. I'm to go back in 10 days to have another scan.

I have strong pregnancy symptoms - sore boobs, nausea, needing to pee constantly. I haven't had any cramping or bleeding. However, I'm now feeling really anxious about the scan today and dreading the wait until the next one.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience/results?

Dates and measurements can be off, especially that early. Not exactly the same experience, but I had an early scan when I thought I should be at least 7 weeks but was told I was between 6 and 7 weeks and CRL was only 7mm, but they were able to identify a heartbeat. I had another scan today exactly 2 weeks later and now measuring bang on 9 weeks. I think it’s totally possible that you’re a little earlier than you think, but I know how anxious the waiting will make you feel. Fingers crossed for good news in 10 days!

I went for a scan at what I thought was 6 weeks but was only measuring 4 weeks. I was told the same as you but nearly 3 weeks later & 2 scans I finally got to see a heart beat. Its a very stressful time as I thought I was certain of my dates but I was wrong. Im now 16 weeks. I hope you get some good news soon.

Honestly 6 week scans cause more worry than it's worth. I've had multiple at that early point because of issues and I've always felt worse after. The mm are so small there is such a wide margin for error.

I had similar, went for a scan at what I thought was 7 weeks but I was only measuring at 5+6, we did see a heartbeat but she said that it was rare to see a heartbeat before 6 weeks so we didn't expect it. We went for another one a week later and I was measuring at 6+5 with a strong heartbeat.

It's quite easy for dates to be off, as even though you've said you're sure of the date you conceived, keep in mind that it can still take a few more days for fertilisation and implantation to happen, it really is normal to be off, I remember reading that 2 weeks is fairly normal and only to worry if it's off more than this. And being earlier than the 6 weeks it's not a worry that you never saw a heartbeat.

If you can afford to, wait a week or two and have another private scan, that should give you more reassurance to make sure it's growing properly

I really wouldn't worry about it this early. And I'm saying that as someone who has had 4mc. Early scans aren't very accurate before 8 weeks.

Case point: my non-viable 6week pregnancy is now three years old and eating cereal. Perfectly fine and healthy.

Thanks your sharing your positive stories! I am kicking myself for going for the scan so early which has been the opposite of reassuring. However, I guess I could have estimated dates wrong by a few days which might make all the difference this early with such tiny measurements. Will keep fingers crossed and try to stay positive for better and clearer news next scan x

I went for a scan at 6 weeks - only to be told there was an empty sac measuring 4 weeks 6 days. I had an absolute panic for about anther 5 days - then went to an EPU (where i figured they'd have better scanning machines than a private place) and a sac, yold and baby with a heartbeat measured 6 weeks 5 days - so it had supposedly grown 12 days in only 5!
I really regretted my 6 week scan - as it just leaves you in limbo so although it is a terrible wait - just hang on and hopefully you'll have a very different picture soon.

I thought I knew the exact day I conceived, because I was charting my BBT and using ovulation sticks and DH works away so we actually only DTD one day before ovulation so I was convinced that was the day. At my 12w scan they dated me one week ahead so in theory I ovulated before I'd even had sex. Not sure how it's possible but every baby grows at different rates and scans as early as 6w are never 100% accurate. I see lots of stories on here from people saying they've been told the pregnancy isn't viable because they can't see XYZ that they'd expect to see at that gestation, then they go back for the next scan and turns out the baby was just too small before.

Nobody can tell you. It can go either way, but rest assured there are plenty of positive stories so let's all hope that yours is another.

I had a scan at 6weeks something because i bled. Couldnt see much, no heartbeat etc and was told to come back in ten days and not expect good news.....hes 7 tomorrow x

Is the 6 weeks 2 days based on your lmp? If so it can be wildly off. If calculated by LMP I would be 1 week ahead but I knew my ovulation date (cd21) so when I had my 8 weeks scan (by my count) it would have been 9 weeks by LMP. 5 weeks and 6 weeks are completely different in what you can see. If you’re not bleeding or in pain then don’t worry.

Hello ladies, had another scan at clinic today and this time there was a lovely, amazing little heartbeat and baby measuring at 6wk 1 day. Turns out it was just a little too early. What a massive relief. It was a worrying few days but all these positive stories and advice really helped! Thank you

@Aprilsun20 that's brilliant news! Congratulations on your healthy little one!🥰