Early abdominal scan - advice please

[Icklemissgem]

Hi all
What's the earliest you have been able to have an abdominal scan? I've had 4 early losses so would like to get an early scan done but the idea of an internal scan terrifies me (plus I have a condition which may make it impossible as smear tests are a nightmare for me!)
I've been advised an abdominal should be ok from 7 weeks but wondered if anyone could share their experiences

I had mine at 8 weeks. It’s far along enough that it won’t be a struggle to find baby, any earlier and it causes more worry.

I second the PP at 8 weeks. With my first i had one booked at what I thought was 6 weeks but I was off on my dates by a few days and it was just so much worry for nothing.

Try and hold out until 8 weeks xx

I had one at 6+4 and they had no issues seeing anything with just the abdominal, although I did have to sign a thing that said they might have to do transvaginal if they couldn't get a good image with the abdominal scan. I'd probably say 8 weeks to be absolutely sure.

I also had an abdominal scan at 8 weeks & it was pretty clear. Have you had an internal ultrasound before? It's not as invasive as a smear as the probe doesn't have to go in as far. I had an internal at 7 weeks & was able to see a heartbeat.

I had a scan at 6 weeks 4 days and saw a heartbeat. I presumed it would be an internal scan because it was mentioned on their website. When I got there I was having to pace up and down outside trying not to wet myself because of how much I’d drank for it 😂 She tried the normal ultrasound and could see baby and the heart beating. She said she was happy with what she could see but offered an internal if I wanted a better picture. I was just so relieved to have seen a heart beat and so desperate to leave and go to the toilet that I said I was happy with what I’d seen. I haven’t managed to avoid the internal scans completely though 🙄 I’ve had a low placenta and baby’s heads been in the way both times to get a measurement so have been offered internal scans. They always say it like it’s a choice but I don’t really know what the alternative would have been if I’d said no. Literally couldn’t feel it either time though, it’s nothing like a smear test

I'm slim (size 8) and I managed to have a successful abdominal scan at 6 weeks 2 days. I had recently gone through trauma which the doctor knew so she said she'd do what she could and got a good picture. We could easily see the foetal pole, yolk sack and heartbeat.

When I had my first appointment at 8 weeks with my regular Ob she did another abdominal without yet knowing my history, again it was perfectly fine. My previous Ob insisted on internal scans until the 12 week one.

But if you are larger it may be more difficult because at that gestation the baby really is tiny and it will be more difficult for the ultrasound waves to pick up that level of detail the more distance they have to go through to get there.

It is worth asking though, they can try and if you are comfortable they can always progress to the TV scan if they need a better view. But also be aware that earlier on you may not see a heartbeat, which can be completely normal and can still progress as a healthy pregnancy, but it can cause you extra worry, which you are already understandably feeling after multiple losses

I had mine at 9+2 and it was great saw heartbeat straight away.

I had my first baby’s early scan at 9 and no heartbeat was visible. But they were very much alive still

I'm fat and had a great view at exactly 6 weeks abdominally, with heartbeat visible too.

Thank you everyone you've all been really helpful. I am going to book a scan for 8 weeks and hope everything is ok 🤞🏻🤞🏻

I have a severely retroverted uterus (as does 20% of women) and cannot see anything till around 12 weeks.

I had a trans a final scan a few weeks ago which I was very apprehensive about it but the dildo cam was actually very slim and once it had been lubed up didn’t feel much different that one of those plastic applicator tampons.

But I know plenty of women can’t tolerate those so it’s clearly not for everyone!

Are you under the miscarriage team? In my trust you were referred after 3 losses. They organise all scans etc.

Internal at 7 weeks with fertility clinic and then I had an abdominal at 8 weeks at private: everything was seen fine :)

I've had the 7 week scans from ivf the internal
Ones are honestly fine doesn't hurt at all! There's no metal instruments or anything it's just a dildo looking thing inserted 🙈 u can get earlier scans but they may not be able to see a heartbeat so better off waiting until u are 7 weeks.

Thank you 😊

Yes I am under a recurrent miscarriage clinic so they will organise the scans but didn't want to go in too early and then panic myself, and also want to avoid internal if I can x

I wouldn’t worry about the internal scan. The probe doesn’t go in very far, without being too blunt if you can have sex you should be ok with it. It’s nothing like a smear if that helps?