Can trans-vaginal (internal) scan harm baby when listening to heartbeat?

[RainbowHope4]

I'm posting because I'm so worried.
I'm pregnant for the 4th time (I've had 3 previous MC's).
I'm 7 weeks pregnant. We went for our first scan at our IVF clinic the other day.
I had an internal scan and she put the sound on and we heard the heartbeat.
She put it on for a long time (well about 30 seconds).
I panicked when she did this because I thought it was too dangerous to do this before 12 weeks due to there being too many sound waves being passed through to the baby which is too much for their little heart.
This is what I've read previously. And at our last clinic they told us they wouldn't let us listen to the babies heart because it was too dangerous at that stage, and it should only be done at 12 weeks onwards.
So now I'm panicking that harm could have been done.

It is totally fine, please don't worry.

No. “The scans are painless, have no known side effects on mothers or babies”.

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/ultrasound-scans/

They would risk harming your pregnancy. I’m the kindest possible way, please try not to worry.

*wouldnt
Risk harming your pregnancy

After multiple miscarriages I had scans every 2 weeks from week 6-20 - gorgeous healthy 3 year old snuggled up to me right now

I dont remember all the research now, but I was obsessed with researching anything which could harm baby and the most I found is that there is some studies (no strong evidence) which suggest left handedness in babies which have had more scans.

These things are regulated, ultrasound is very safe

Congratulations!

Thank you for your replies.
I feel very anxious anyway with this pregnancy because of previous losses and want to minimise any risk possible.

It's really with them listening to the heartbeat as I've read the extra soundwaves used in order to do this can be harmful during early scans. I know they wouldn't do something to intentionally harm the baby. I was just shocked when the sound came on because previously I'd been told they'd never do that in an early scan for risk reasons.

Not at all. I have a transvaginal scan at 5 weeks and then at 7 weeks pg and it was totally fine. They are completely safe

@OnaTop3
Thank you for your reply. Did they have you listen to the heartbeat during those scans?

@anxiouswaiting
Thank you for your reply.
Did they have you listen to the heartbeat during those very early scans around 6-8 weeks?

The scans are very safe OP, but do remember OP if you don’t want a scan done, that’s your choice and do tell them! If it stresses you out the stress may be worse for you than the scan.

When I had my early (external) scan they, like you, did it for a long time so they we could all have fun looking and listening to the baby, and my skin where they put the gel on was very hot to touch afterwards, even on the journey home, I wasn’t happy about this (isn’t heat very bad for embryos?). The baby was completely fine but I personally wouldn’t allow such a long scan next time.

Next scan you have I suggest before you start you tell the nurse you want the absolute minimum length scan necessary.

Yes, both times. :)

Was brief of course, but it’s absolutely fine. I also did lots of research on ultrasound (pregnant and 44/45 so paranoid about everything) and didnt see anything specifically on listening to the sound. Please don’t worry x

[quote RainbowHope4]@anxiouswaiting
Thank you for your reply.
Did they have you listen to the heartbeat during those very early scans around 6-8 weeks? [/quote]
Yes, every time they listened to the heartbeat. The only one that didnt was my NHS 12 week, but they did listen at a 10 week in the NHS early pregnancy unit.

@OnaTop3 @anxiouswaiting
Thank you. I feel better after reading this. I am just so worried. I don't want to stress my partner out by worrying all the time. They're doing their best to reassure me but I still feel very anxious.
But I do feel better knowing you had that experience and all turned out fine. Thank you.

I had 3 scans before 12 weeks (following IVF/multiple miscarriages). Heartbeat was checked each time and everything was fine. I was assured ny the obstetrician that the technology is very safe. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

@RainbowHope4 your anxiety is very understandable, I was the same. Just take one day at a time xxx

@RainbowHope4

Thank you for your replies. I feel very anxious anyway with this pregnancy because of previous losses and want to minimise any risk possible.

It's really with them listening to the heartbeat as I've read the extra soundwaves used in order to do this can be harmful during early scans. I know they wouldn't do something to intentionally harm the baby. I was just shocked when the sound came on because previously I'd been told they'd never do that in an early scan for risk reasons.

as I've read the extra soundwaves used in order to do this can be harmful during early scans.

Please, please, please top reading posts on whatever sites you are reading the stuff from these crazies on. There is absolutely no risk to the foetus whatsoever from ultrasound, if there was it would not be allowed and common.

I had an emergency scan at 8 weeks due to bleeding and the consultant let us hear the heartbeat! Ds is now 2 and perfect in every way 😀 (plus I had a load of growth scans in later pregnancy so probably had about 10 scans in total)

The transducer used trans vaginally is a lot lower MHz.

It's really with them listening to the heartbeat as I've read the extra soundwaves used in order to do this can be harmful during early scans.

There are not any extra soundwaves to 'listen', the sonographer can see the heart brat, the sound is something put on for you to hear.

The minimum Hz is used as good practice.

Also your new clinic might have more transducers (the bit that goes on your skin or up your Vagina) in different ranges.

@MabelG
Thank you! I'm glad all was well 🙂
Yes, just trying to take it a day at a time, hopefully as time goes on I'll be less anxious.

@sashh
Thank you. I thought it was extra to be able to hear so it's interesting to hear it isn't like that. Yes maybe the equipment is different to the other clinic.

@MrFlibblesEyes
I'm really glad it all worked out well. It's stressful isn't it. Sounds like a very happy outcome.

Thank you all so much for your replies. It's helped to hear of all of your experiences and it's helped me feel more reassured, so thank you. 🌸

@Skysblue
Thank you. Yes I did worry and panicked. Have been thinking about it since. I will bear it in mind for future scans. I felt like I couldn't say anything to her in the moment for some reason.
But I'll keep it in mind for next time so I don't feel so stressed.