Are very early tests useful?

[barberjc]

Hi, we found out that my partner is pregnant a couple of days ago. She got a phone call from the midwife today saying that she will have her first appointment at 12 weeks but my partner wants to make an appointment at a private clinic to do some tests to check everything is ok. She is freaking out a little bit and is looking for some reassurance. Are there any tests worth doing at such an early stage and has anybody gone to a clinic at this stage and found it very useful?

Hi there, are you in the UK? Usually she'd have her booking appointment between 8-11 weeks just for some general health checks and bloods etc. Failing that you could book a private scan from 6+ weeks just for some reassurance

@Dreamer30

Hi there, are you in the UK? Usually she'd have her booking appointment between 8-11 weeks just for some general health checks and bloods etc. Failing that you could book a private scan from 6+ weeks just for some reassurance

Yes we are in the UK. Apart from a scan are there any reasons to go to a clinic before the 6 week stage?

I don’t think a heartbeat can be detected for several more weeks.

I don’t think there’s any point doing anything earlier. If something is wrong, there’s nothing anyone can really do anyway. These first few weeks are just a stressful waiting game I’m afraid

Oh they are soo worth it if your nervous!

I've had plenty!

6,8,10,12 week (my nhs 12 week was at 14) then 16+4 gender scan. I have my 20 week scan booked in and then my last private scan will be at 25 weeks.

I honestly wouldn't have coped with this pregnancy without having private scans. I went to 2 different places in my area, 1 charges £40 a scan and the other £79 a scan, and they both gave me discounts for booking several appointments.

When I found out I was pregnant I automatically got so nervous that I physically couldn't cope without knowing if everything is ok - not knowing if it's ectopic or not was my main one, as I was experiencing some stretching feelings with a family history of emergency surgeries after finding out the pregnancies were ectopic, so the 6 week scan in particular is so important, to put her mind at ease.

Also, be careful about which private ultrasound places you go to. A lot of them are staffed by people who are not very highly trained, and are unable to spot if things are wrong. They can often cause more stress by telling you there’s a problem and telling you to go and see you midwife etc when there’s nothing actually wrong.

The only benefit of an early private scan is if it will make you feel better to see a heartbeat. The chances are not great of seeing the heartbeat before 7weeks, which may well add to stress, rather than relieve it. Bear in mind that there’s a good chance early scans will be transvaginal, which puts a lot of people off

Thanks for the info everybody that replied