Early Scan - what would you do

[GEM711]

Hi everyone,

I found out I am pregnant with my first a weeks ago and I'm very anxious about something going wrong (to the point I've been in tears overthinking things) so wanted the hive mind opinion on early scans.

I've got one booked on Thursday, and at that point I think I'll be 6+1. Most due date calculators have me at 7 weeks, but I have an irregular cycle so I think it's a bit less. Because of that, I'm also anxious it could be late 5 weeks.

The way I see it, there are three options:

1. We go to the scan and I am 6/7 weeks, and can get confirmation of a baby and how far along I am etc.

1. We go to the scan and it's too soon to see much, so rebook another in a couple of weeks. I have concerns I will feel more anxious in the wait for the next scan, incase I am 6/7 weeks but the scan only shows at 5 due to the baby stopping growing at 5 weeks or something.

1. I delay the scan for a couple of weeks, at which point we should be definitely see something if everything is going well. However, I have concerns about how my anxiety will be over the next few weeks until I know for sure it's all okay.

I'm leaning going on Thursday, as that one has the possibility of alleviating some of the anxiety but I'm wondering what others in a similar position did or what anybody recommends?

I would hold off another few weeks. If you go too early you chance not being able to see a heartbeat and then your anxiety will be even worse waiting to go in again for another scan! You'll be able to see much more at 8 weeks. Easier said than done but try not to worry too much OP - it will be a very long 9 months otherwise.

Could you re-book for 7 weeks rather than delaying for a couple of weeks?

I had an early scan at 7 weeks with my DD (following an mc) and it was reassuring to see a heartbeat. I had a hospital scan at 6 weeks (following 2 MCs) and was lucky enough to be able to see a heartbeat, but know it can be too early for some women.

Is there any particular reason you are anxious? It's worth mentioning to your midwife at your booking appointment.

I would delay a couple of weeks. If you go too soon and they can't see anything it's going to cause you far more anxiety.

They should be able to detect a heartbeat with a transvaginal scan at 6 weeks (rather than abdominal). The reassurance is worth the money if you can afford it. After a MMC, with next pregnancy I had scans at 6, 8 & 10 weeks, which much reduced the anxiety

@marplemead I don't think there is any particular reason, I've not had any symptoms that have made me think there is anything wrong, I think it's just the not knowing. I really want everything to be okay, so the not knowing that it is makes me very anxious and my mind wander to the what ifs.

Early scans I had on the NHS for medical reasons were at 8 weeks.

The likelihood is they wont be able to pick up a heartbeat as its too early and youll be panicking even more. Id wait a little bit

I was the exact same and booked a scan for 7+2. When I went for the scan they said I was earlier than I thought and was actually only 6+1 - LUCKILY we saw a heartbeat as I had really wanted that reassurance.

I considered holding off to be on the safe side but every niggle, every pain had me worrying it was ectopic and I had a bit of spotting and I thought the amount of anxiety it was causing not knowing if things were ok was too much for me.

I would wait until 7 weeks too, it's horrible when you have a scan and they're not sure if the pregnancy isn't going as it should or if it's just too early. Have been through it a few times.

Thanks everybody - I'm considering moving it.

We're on holiday with family from 04/10-11/10 so I do want to have a scan before then, but have been struggling to find any available slots that work around my work and my partners work schedules. They have one on the day we go away at midday, so might look at that. I think I'll be a minimum of 7+2 then.

Hi OP,
I'm going to say the opposite to the other posters here. If you can afford it - go for the private scans. As many as you want to help put your mind at ease.

The first trimester, I think, is hell. Especially when you have those fears. So anything you can do to take that pressure off, it's going to be better for you and baby in the long run.
Just be prepared they may not see much. At 5 weeks with me they saw a sack and fetal pole. Which was what they were hoping for at that point. Then at seven there was a heart beat. But every pregnancy is different! And as you've said, you may be a week out either way on your dates. So please be prepared you might not see what you want, but this doesn't mean the worse.
Also I agree with the other posters, mention your fears to your midwife at your booking in appointment. Speaking about these things helps. And try to remember that the odds of things going right in your pregnancy are really in your favour.

Best of luck for you and little bean x