6 weeks 5 days pregnant - likelihood of seeing a heartbeat

[KittyKate34]

Hi guys. I have had ongoing light spotting off and on since 4 weeks. My HCG is doubling but I am due a scan on Friday when I will be 6 weeks & 5 days pregnant. I am so so nervous and anxious over whether it’s likely to see a heartbeat then. What’s your experience with a scan at that gestation?

Scans before 7-8 weeks are not always that helpful as the embryo is so small measurements can be inaccurate and a heart beat may or may not be present. They won't necessarily offer you much reassurance unfortunately as it is still such early days. If it is a private scan could you push it back a week? The NHS wouldn't normally scan you before 12 weeks unless there was cause for concern eg bleeding?

I had a scan at 5+4 and saw a heartbeat then which we were told was very early.

In previous pregnancies I’d not seen one at 6 weeks so I wouldn’t be worried if you don’t. I think seeing one before 7/8 weeks is rarer than not seeing one.

Good luck!

If it’s a private scan for reassurance, I’m not sure that such an early one will help you at all, if they maybe can’t see a heartbeat (yet)

It is possible op but also a chance you don't see it which will cause anxiety.
I had IVF and my first scan was at 7 weeks.
Can you push it back afew days?

I had private scans at 5+6 and 6+4 with my 2 children and both had visible heartbeats

Also good luck!

I've had 4 previous miscarriages and I'm now 5 weeks + 5 days and my fertility clinic have offered me a scan at 7 weeks. I was advised any earlier might not bring the outcome myself or the doctors were looking for. So I've agreed with them and I have my scan on the day I'm exactly 7 weeks. Good luck OP🥰

I am a nervous first time Mum so have had 2 early reassurance scans so far! I had my first scan at 6+1 (I thought I was (6+4/5) and there was a heartbeat visible ❤️
They did have to complete the scan internally / transvaginal so I'd be prepared for that if you do go xx

I saw a heartbeat this time round at 6+4, however I wouldn't say they are particularly reassuring at this stage. My first MC I saw the heartbeat at 6 weeks and then miscarried at 7 weeks. I only had a scan this time due to previous ectopic. I would delay the scan a little later if you can though, not only is it not always possible to see the heartbeat as PP have said, but it can also give false hope (like in my case).

I would think you are likely (but not guaranteed) to see the heartbeat at that gestation but that is assuming you are definitely 6+5. Even being a day or two out at this stage can make a huge difference.

If you can push it back another week, so you are closer to 8 weeks then I think that is better. I’m not in the UK so different system but my doctor always tells me to try and hold out until 8 weeks unless I have any significant reason to come in earlier (eg pain, heavy bleeding)

Thanks for all the feedback. It’s not a private scan so I can’t push it back unfortunately. It’s been booked in my public hospital to rule out ectopic (I had some bad pains at 4 weeks and then the off and on spotting). Fingers crossed it won’t be ectopic and I might be lucky enough to hear the heartbeat. I’ll keep you posted! This is my second baby and I had spotting off and on with him until 13 weeks so I am always on edge in early pregnancy. They never found the cause with my son & I even had it once or twice again in second & third trimester 😓

Hi everyone first time I have ever used mumsnet.

I am 5 weeks 5 days pregnant today and can't stop worrying as I MC start May this year, got a early scan booked for this Saturday feel excited and nervous at the same time.

@Nicci1985 so sorry to hear of your loss🥺 I had a silent miscarriage in March of this year and 3 miscarriages before that. I'm now 6 weeks tomorrow and i can totally relate to your worry and anxiety. The loss really does take your innocence away. I have a scan with the EPU next week at 7 weeks. I wanted to wait as long as possible so I could walk away with a solid outcome and not have to go back and fourth for rescans. Well, at least that's how I want it to go🤞🏼

Good luck for your scan🥰 sending all my love x

@MollySxx thanks and sorry for your losses it’s so hard, I feel nervous but also positive about my scan it’s a private one and they start at 6 weeks it may need to be a transviginal scan but I’m ok with that I just need little bit peace mind. I’ll likely still be a worry worm all way through pregnancy. Good luck for your scan I’ll let you know how I get on x

@Nicci1985 of course, the piece of mind it can give is priceless. Here's to 18 years of worry for us, then more worry as they grow up😂

Please keep an update🤞🏼🌈x

@MollySxx I’ve also got a 6year old my worry levels are through the roof 🤪. I will update x

@Nicci1985 @MollySxx good luck for your scans ladies ❤️🤞🏻

@Nervyy thank you x

Hi guys. Had my scan this morning, I am meant to be 6 weeks 5 days but baby measurement a week behind. It did have yolk sac & heartbeat but because it’s measuring a week behind the midwife said numerous times “it’s very early days” and then said I would need another scan in 7-10 days given the dates are off. I am pretty sure of my dates so I’m pretty disheartened. Was hard to go from feeling happy seeing heartbeat to feeling sad to be told it’s measuring behind. Just a bag of nerves 😢 really taking a toll on me.

@KittyKate34 oh I'm sorry they've left you in this limbo! I've never seen a heartbeat in any of my miscarriages, so I really can't be of help. But I presume seeing a heartbeat would be on the road to a positive? Did they say anything else?

I am waiting now to see a doctor (they get you to see midwife first for scan, then the doctor goes through the findings). I also thought heartbeat was good sign but I’m not sure as the midwife didn’t seem overly positive so I’ll let you know what doctor says.

@KittyKate34 yes, please keep an update! Sending my love

@KittyKate34 good luck x

Doctor reassured me a bit more. She said heartbeat was normal for the gestation of the baby and although it’s measuring on smaller side (I think my date today should be 6+5 but baby measuring 5+6) that it could just be that my dates are off. So due back in 10 days for rescan to see how things are progressing. So I’ll just try my best not to fret & try distract myself for the 10 days and then I’ll be hoping & praying for good news at next scan when according to my dates today I’ll be 7 weeks 2 days then! Thanks for all your well wishes, much appreciated!

@KittyKate34 I think the fact you've seen a heartbeat is amazing! And they don't seem concerned either. You're still before 7 weeks and they do say anything before should be taken with a pinch of salt. So don't worry yourself, right now you have a baby with a heartbeat and that's a blessing x