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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

First early scan

16 replies

wifeyxx · 29/07/2021 21:47

I'll be 6 weeks and 5 days for my first private scan. I've never had an early scan before and I've read they do it vaginally? Has anyone had this type of scan before?

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Kc1603 · 29/07/2021 21:51

I had a internal scan done in 2016 with my 2nd as I was only about 5 weeks. It's not as bad as it sounds and it's the best way to see if there is a sac as an ultrasound on the belly will most likely show nothing that early on

Trinacham · 29/07/2021 21:54

Yes. I had a private scan this way at 8 weeks (I'm now 14 weeks). I was really nervous before but had no reason to be. It was completely painless and not even uncomfortable.

girlmom21 · 29/07/2021 21:54

I had an internal scan done when I miscarried and it was fine but I'm not really sure why you'd go for a private scan that early - they can hardly see anything. You won't see a heartbeat etc.

MGee123 · 29/07/2021 21:59

It will almost certainly be an internal scan. They are absolutely fine, nothing to worry about 😀 One thought is could you nudge your appointment back a week? I only suggest as at 6+5 you may or may not see a heartbeat, which could cause you unnecessary worry. Pushing it back a week you should be much more certain of seeing one if your dates are roughly right?

Itsbeen84yearss · 29/07/2021 22:03

I would never have an internal scan done again. I had one done at 8 weeks, saw healthy heartbeat. The woman was quite rough and I was in pain afterwards. Two days later I started spotting. Went back and found baby had died. I don’t care how many people say it’s safe I refused internal scans with my next pregnancy. There isn’t any need for one unless there’s a reason to think it’s ectopic

Trinacham · 29/07/2021 22:07

@Itsbeen84yearss I'm sorry you had such an awful experience and sorry for your loss.

I don't think anyone should be put off though. I have had 2 bleeds in this pregnancy (aswell as constant brown spotting) and hearing that could put people off of having an internal scan when they need to find out what is happening. That is a very unusual experience. My sonographer was very gentle and I felt comfortable throughout the procedure.

Aranciata · 29/07/2021 22:27

Yes I had IVF so lots of internal scans before getting pregnant, they shouldn't hurt.

IVF clinics tend to do a scan between 6 and 7 weeks to check that the pregnancy is in the right place.
If you don't see a heartbeat it may just be a bit early, but you don't have any confusion regarding dates which you might have with a natural pregnancy e.g. thinking you're 7 weeks but you're not that far along.

@Itsbeen84yearss so sorry to hear of your loss and your bad experience with the sonographer. I can imagine you didn't feel strong enough at the time to complain but if you feel it could help you in future maybe you could be supported to do so. 💐

Itsbeen84yearss · 30/07/2021 10:13

I just wanted to give another point of view. I just don’t understand why if it’s an ivf baby or high risk pregnancy they tell you to avoid intercouse/ penetrative sex but it’s perfectly ok to put a large wand up there? Like I said if there’s a possibility of ectopic of course get a scan but if you haven’t got symptoms I don’t think there’s any need for internal scan. I’m not particularly thin and they’ve always been able to see abdominally at by 7/8 weeks.
@Aranciata it was two years ago now and NHS. I thought about complaining at the time but what proof would I have that she was rough? She def did do do something wrong because I’ve had internal scans outside of pregnancy and with that scan I actually found myself clenching my fists and moving up the bed. It felt like she’d put it up too high. I was sore after

SillyBry · 30/07/2021 11:45

It will be internal that early. It shouldn't hurt and it's all fairly respectful etc.

I would give you a word of warning - I had a scan at 5+4 (to rule out ectopic pregnancy as I have had a previous EP)... and there was no heartbeat, no foetus... just a yolk sac measuring about the right size. They were not at all concerned as it was so early, these things are yet to develop... HOWEVER, they were unable to tell me that the pregnancy was viable due to those things. (I am now 34 weeks pregnant, so it was fine!)
Also, please remember an early scan really only gives you a snap shot of that moment... it will tell you how things look currently, but cannot tell you that it will be ok tomorrow... and if there are complications that early, there is very little that can be done to prevent it, which is why the NHS don't routinely do early scans. So whilst it may help your anxiety about everything being ok, be aware, it may also heighten your anxiety because it's still unknown! :-)

babymuffinxo · 30/07/2021 11:49

Hi, just thought I’d give my 2 cents too. I’ve had 6 internal scans over the last 7 months - 3 to try and diagnose an ectopic pregnancy that was found during the last one, 1 about 2 months ago to have a look at what’s going on following majorly messed up periods and pain and 2 for this pregnancy, first found a sac and yolk and second 10 days later found a little baby with a heart beat. Mine have always been fine - I’ve always been warned with internals during pregnancy that you can spot a little bit afterwards as the cervix is a bit more sensitive due to increased blood flow but non of mine have ever hurt, just feels a bit weird. Hope your scan goes well xx

Coxy88 · 30/07/2021 17:48

Hi @wifeyxx I had an early scan today which was an internal and I was measuring exactly 6weeks 5 days. Here’s a pic of my scan! They also told me baby had a really strong heartbeat. I was surprised at how much they could see this early on.

firstimemamma · 30/07/2021 17:52

I had 2 internal scans with ds and recently had one with my current pregnancy. It really was fine and nothing to worry about.

Original poster

wifeyxx · 30/07/2021 18:18

@Coxy88 aw that's great 😄 ye a lot of people I've spoke to said they've heard the heart beat etc. I'm looking forward to mine

Glad you are doing well!

OP posts:

Coxy88 · 30/07/2021 18:40

[quote wifeyxx]@Coxy88 aw that's great 😄 ye a lot of people I've spoke to said they've heard the heart beat etc. I'm looking forward to mine

Glad you are doing well! [/quote]
@wifeyxx Thank you. I hope you also have a similar experience x

Original poster

wifeyxx · 01/08/2021 20:31

Just to say I got my scan today. I didn't need an internal. The sonographer didn't need to do one as she saw everything she needed to doing it the other way! And yes I saw a heartbeat which she said was "very strong"

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Aranciata · 01/08/2021 20:44

OP glad to hear all looks good.

@Itsbeen84yearss I'm sorry to hear that, I guess you have no proof but you did have other internal scans so know that the sonographer you had was rough in comparison. It sounds like a horrible experience 💐
I don't know if PALS would do anything now but if you wanted to contact them and say it's still on your mind they may listen.

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