Private Scans and Errors

[hopefulsunshine11]

Hi everyone!

I am just looking for some experience of private scans especially early ones? I have seen a few posts around them but I went for one where the scan was inconclusive.

Has anyone went for an early scan and seen nothing just a GS then went for NHS scan and all been ok? I had a scan at 5 weeks 6 days TV one and nothing could be seen apart from a GS and a very faint 'blob' but she said it couldn't be identified as a YS or FP?

Is it true their scans can be wrong and machines not as reliable?

Thanks

Early scans esp before 8 weeks aren’t the best.
You don’t see much, i normally advise against them.
I had them due to IVF and my first scan at 5 weeks showed a sac, and as the weeks went on things progressed and by week 9 I could see a baby.
So doesn’t always mean your out your just very early to see anything

5 weeks 6 days is still very early, and to early for a hb!

I would hold out for a week or two and then try again if you want another scan.

I went to the epu with suspected mc at "6" weeks and there was only a gestational sac. A week later there was a baby and a hb.

Thank you!

I've been told by various people that there should be a YS visible on an internal scan by 5.5 - 6 weeks. I'm guessing it might just have been a bit early I'm back next week for another one.

I had an NHS scan at 5+4 (due to previous ectopic pregnancy). They saw a gestational sac, but no embryo, yolk sac or heartbeat. They weren't concerned - and said that even 1 day at that stage can effect what you can see.
This is part of the reason NHS only do early scans if medically necessary (e.g. to identify an ectopic) because it can create more worry than reassurance. I went home with a letter saying my pregnancy had unknown viability - because there was no embryo/hb etc, but they reassured me that was very normal and they were happy with the scan.
But likewise, seeing a heartbeat at 7 weeks doesn't guarantee that you're going to be ok... an early scan really only provides a snapshot of "at that moment" if that makes sense?
I'm now 22 weeks, so there is plenty of hope for you :-)

@hopefulsunshine11

Thank you!

I've been told by various people that there should be a YS visible on an internal scan by 5.5 - 6 weeks. I'm guessing it might just have been a bit early I'm back next week for another one.

Everyone’s scans differ so much, there’s no should be of has to be at any scan if that makes sense.

I've always waited until at least 8 weeks. It's still a blob but you should see the heart beat. An empty sac can be quite worrying but totally normal x

Everyone's pregnancy is different and the quality of the equipment and skill of the sonographer are also critical. Was this a high street scanning place or a private maternity services place (usually staffed by sonographer a who also work at the local hospital?)

Thanks everyone! Probably just a waiting game now.

I only went for a scan as I didn't have any symptoms and don't feel pregnant at all.

It was a high street one. Babybond?

As a PP mentioned, even a day or two can make a difference to what is visible early on. So two scans done even half a week apart at a v early stage may show different things!

Thanks everyone fingers are being firmly crossed!

If it helps, I had a scan around 5 weeks something at the EPU due to suspected ectopic and they said it was too early to be conclusive so I had to go back a (massively nerve-wracking) week later and all was fine. I also had zero symptoms and was convinced my period was about to start until gone 6 weeks when I got ALL THE SYMPTOMS and immediately regretted it.

Honestly the amount of women I’ve seen who have been the opposite of reassured by these early scans! Fingers all crossed for you OP, am sure it will be fine.

Have you had another scan @hopefulsunshine11?

Where I stay all the private scan clinics are not scanning before 8 weeks due to this. I think scans before 8 weeks can cause worry even though everything turns out to be okay afterwards. One week can make a huge difference to growth in pregnancy so my advice is to always book from 8 weeks onwards x

@cookielove hi, I ended up having a blighted ovum :(

Fingers crossed next baby sticks! X

I would say that expected visibility/resolution/identification at 5-6wks would be 5-6wks gestation, not 5-6wjs since first day of last period (I vaguely remember this is how we measure date/weeks pregnant?) as fertilisation will have happened within a couple of weeks or so of this.
Apologies if already taken into account!

In my experience, the imaging technology is universally of a high standard - in private and NHS these days.

@hopefulsunshine11 I cross posted with your update - I'm so sorry x I'm also sure you will get there (from someone who experienced quite a few hurdles myself).

@DoubleTweenQueen thank you x

Hi there
Just to add my recent experience of scans.

6 week private scan - showed one baby and a heartbeat.

7 week IVF clinic scan - showed two babies and two heartbeats

8 week hospital NHS scan showed three babies and two heartbeats

So I think things can get missed. Also not helped by the fact I only had one embryo transferred so those scanning were only ever looking for one pregnancy.

Sorry typo. 8 week scan showed 3 babies and 3 heartbeats

Really sorry to hear that @hopefulsunshine11

Fx a nice sticky baby next time xx