7 week scan with NHS, too early?

[MintGreenLife]

I had my booking appointment on the phone yesterday. From LMP I'm 9 weeks, but I know I'm actually 7 weeks. I've got an appointment tomorrow morning for my bloods etc, which was booked on the phone yesterday. I was also told my 12 week scan would be the first week of Jan, and that if it turned out I was more like 10 weeks as I suspected they would just get me back in two weeks later.

Today I had a text message with an appointment for a scan this Friday. I was a bit baffled by this, so I called and was told as I was unsure of my dates (I'm not at all, but know they can't take my word for when I ovulated) they thought they would get me in sooner rather than later to date the pregnancy and then book my 12 week scan based on that.

I've been told to come with a full bladder, so I assume this means it'll be an external scan. What I'm worried about is as I'll be 7+2 on Friday that it'll be too early to see anything. This is my first pregnancy and I've been quite calm so far, so don't want possible uncertainty like that to cause me unnecessary worry. Does anyone know if with the NHS they can't see much on an external scan if they will try internal instead? I don't want to be sent away with them only trying external and being told it's too early to see anything. Was quite happy waiting until early Jan, so feel this has been sprung on me and not sure how I feel.

Thanks x

I think there's been some confusion I would call again and say you're not confused about your dates!

@MsChatterbox thanks, I'll perhaps speak to the midwife tomorrow at my appointment, as she did my booking appointment. She didn't say anything about a scan this early, although the person that I spoke to on the phone earlier did say something about them being fully booked when I should be having my scan, so perhaps Friday is the best they could do x

They'll likely try an abdominal scan first and then if they can't see clearly they'll try a transvaginal. At 7 weeks, they might need to do both, or they might be okay with just the abdominal but it's easier to try that first and get you to empty your bladder.
If you don't feel you need the scan or would prefer not to potentially have some uncertainty at this gestation, maybe mention it to your midwife. But it should mean they'll be able to be a little more accurate when booking in your 12 week scan, especiallyif you're opting for the screening.
I think the uncertainty of dates comes from you probably knowing you ovulated later than the standard 14 days after the first day of your last period but they don't know that and would prefer to check.

Hope that helps x

I would keep the scan, personally. I had an external at 7w4d and you could clearly see fetus and heartbeat.

@RunnerGirl123 thanks so much for your reply :) that's really helpful yes. I was worried they may only do abdominal and if they couldn't see anything suggest I came back in a week or so, which I know I would find very stressful and feel that may be unnecessary stress, but good to know they will most likely try internal instead if no luck with abdominal. It makes sense why they'd want to scan now and check dates, it just threw me a little as I had no intention of having an early scan, so struggling to work out how I feel. I'll hopefully get the chance to talk to my midwife tomorrow about when I go for my bloods anyway :)

@WalkingMeAway that looks brilliant for an external scan :) fingers crossed mine will be as clear. I've read a lot of mixed outcomes from external scans so early, so good to know that some can be nice and clear x

I had a scan at 7 weeks abdominal one saw baby and heartbeat and got a scan photo. All was well apart from a little bleed but got told it was far away from the baby so shouldn't effect it.

@Mylasmummy2102 oh brilliant, so reassuring to know it’s possible to see everything with an external scan. Feeling a bit better about the last minute scan now ☺️

Good luck tomorrow OP

With the dates... do you mean it’s 7 weeks since you ovulated? If so then yes you essentially conceived 7 weeks ago but they add 2 weeks on so you’re 9 weeks pregnant. That’s just how they count it so it’s best just to think of it like that otherwise you’ll constantly be thinking you’re not as far on as you are... iyswim? Good luck for the scan. I had one at 7 weeks (so actually 5 weeks from conception) and you could see a little blob with a heartbeat from an external scan.

@NC866 no 5 weeks and 2 days since I ovulated, so 7+2 now, it’s 9 weeks since my last period, but I didn’t ovulate until CD30. That’s great news you saw what you needed at 7 weeks, really hope I find the same today!

@RunnerGirl123 thanks so much, I’m very nervous this morn. Will let you know how I get on x

Yes I agree with the poster that said keep the scan as I too had an early one and could see plenty at seven weeks. My periods are irregular so my date by my last one was wrong too, I should have been farther along going by those dates! I am open to correction on this, but I think they told me from five weeks or so they can see a heartbeat ect?

Id keep the scan - I also had one at 7 weeks because I did IVF and it's reassuring to know all is well. You won't see much aside from a small ball but will tell you if there's a heartbeat and also if the pregnancy is in the right place to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. They could easily get an abdominal image for me but vaginal ultrasound doesn't hurt much - had lots during ivf and they are just uncomfortable as the probe goes in - once in you barely feel it.

Almost certainly be trans vaginal at that stage but you should see a heartbeat hopefully!

I would keep it as if you are sure of your dates then you will see what you need.
This was mine dated 7+2 you can see embryo and yolk sac at the bottom.
And was abdominal and we got to hear the HB.
(That being said i had to have internal scan for 12w screening 🙄 so you never know)

@MintGreenLife ahhh ok I see, sorry I just know a lot of first time mums are confused by the dating of pregnancies (I was!) Anyway you should still be able to see something now and it’s probably best to have the scan early so you can be sure of dates! Good luck

Just back and everything looks perfect ☺️ Saw the heartbeat and am measuring at 7+2 which is exactly what I expected. I had an external initially which showed the heart beat and baby, but the sonographer wanted to do an internal to get a better image. Thanks so much everyone for your reassurance, am so glad I went ahead and am thrilled to have seen baby and that everything is looking as it should xx

Excellent news. Congratulations x