Reassurance scans - are the worth it ?

[thunderonlyhappenswhenits]

Or will I just start worrying again after it ?
4.6 weeks pregnant and think I'd like a scan before my midwife appointment at 8 weeks, for reassurance obviously. I had a mmc in November after ivf, I'm now naturally pregnant after 7 years of ttc, and slightly worried but trying to be more postive.
Seems a hell of a long time to wait until 12 weeks after the worry of the last scans! Is 8 weeks long enough to have an accurate scan ?

I’m sorry about your losses and so happy about your pregnancy!

I had reassurance scans at 6 & 9 weeks. And again at 32. I was really anxious about staying pregnant and personally they really helped seeing the baby safe and growing in the right direction. 8 week scan tho cold actually see quite a lot, and the sonographer knows what is ‘normal’ so for me it was worth it.

It depends on affordability too thought. We could afford it, but if I couldn’t I’d of maybe of tried for one scan at 7/8 weeks for reassurance. I guess the scans aren’t for everyone, some people might think they don’t change anything - but for me I felt a lot better after them.

I’m in bed cuddling my 4 month old now, and every second of anxiety was worth it! I hope it all works out for you!

It depends on the level of anxiety to be honest, my first pregnancy I had one at 9 weeks and that kept me happy until 12 weeks. This time I'm 40, and had one at 8 weeks as was more worried due to age, I felt happy, then worried again within a few days because I'd read something on here. I've got another one on Monday, not for reassurance, but because I'm having the NIPT test privately (again due to age), and hoping I'll relax a bit more after then.

Though* sorry, it’s early for us!

Sorry, pressed post too soon, I think in your situation it may provide some reassurance with what you've been through, hope all goes well for you

I had one on all three pregnancies, all at 8-10 weeks. Good news the first and third time which I found very reassuring. There's no guarantees in life, but if a heartbeat is seen at that stage the odds are very good.

The second time showed a MMC. I was at a private scanning place, they were lovely and referred me back to the NHS for treatment. Again, I was glad to have gone rather than potentially wait to find out at 12 weeks.

I had a scan at 8 weeks and also I've just had a 16 week one as it breaks down the wait until the NHS scans and I've felt so much better! I don't think I could have waited until both NHS ones with my anxiety!

Yes they are worth it - I had one at 8 weeks and 10 weeks. I wanted to wait until 8 weeks as knew my dates and knew that if there was a heartbeat at this one it was a good sign - I didn't want to go earlier and there not be a heartbeat then them tell me to come back - it would've stressed me too much. I had another at 10+4 whilst waiting for my 12 week scan. I don't think you can put a price on reassurance - I have another booked in 2 weeks when I will be 16 weeks

Thank you for your replies. It helps to get some perspective.
I'm in two minds as one side of me wants to know everything is okay, but the other is worried I'll get bad news, when I had the mmc there was a couple of weeks of going back and forth for scans and it really messed me up, it was the worst two weeks of my life so I'm very scared of being in that position again.
But another thing is telling me that the only reason my body didn't let go is because of all the progesterone I was taking, so maybe if something was to go wrong I'd know about it this time, if you understand where I'm coming from ?

For me they were absolutely worth it. I had 2 at 7 and 9 weeks. Had 2 MC the previous year so was very anxious about this pregnancy (now 36 weeks!). I found that I only started worrying again a day or 2 before the next scan rather than worrying the whole time as I would have been without it.

Yes i also believe they are worth it. After several MMC I’d rather know at 7/8 weeks than find out at 12. The only thing I’d say is hold out until 7.5-8 weeks to be sure. Sadly if you don’t see a baby with a HB by then (even if your dates are a bit out) it’s normally not good news. That said even if you do see a HB at 7 weeks I think it’s important to realise it’s not a guarantee everything is fine.. but you stand a really good chance from that point.

Good luck xxx

I work in obstetric sonography. There is no point going for a private scan at 4 weeks. Highly likely they won't see anything at all and you will be even more worried. Private companies who offer scans are not regulated properly and essentially anyone can pick up a probe and scan you. I've scanned many ladies who have had private scans, been told they have healthy pregnancies, given the wrong dates then to find that actually they have miscarried their baby or the baby stopped growing long before the private scan. And viceversa, ladies been told there was no heart beat, coming to the NHS for an evac and then finding everything is fine. And so on and so on. At 8 weeks we should see a baby with a heart beat but if there is any problems you will have to go for the usual early pregnancy NHS scans anyway, and if it is earlier than expected still have the 10-14 days waiting prolonging it anyway. The NHS can not take into consideration anything you are told at these private scans. It's best to be seen in the NHS EPAU if you have any issues. Pain or bleeding etc. if you have had recurrent miscarriages you should be reviewed by your midwife regularly.

Thanks @Fearnyleaves I would have booked it for 8 weeks, with my last pregnancy I had an early scan at epu due to pain and they could only see a yolk sac and gestational sac and it freaked me out and made me worry so I definitely wouldn't have one any earlier than 8 weeks. I've only had the one mc, so I don't think I'd be eligible for any extra monitoring even though we've had so much trouble conceiving

Not all scanning places are like that though, the people at our private clinic do the NHS hospital scans in the daytime, they also do the scans in the IVF clinic that they are based in and then do the private ones. Always good to research where you are going

Absolutely they are I have about 4 scans before my 12 week scan just to keep my
Mind at ease and they honestly don’t mind at all. Iv had multiple chemical pregnancies and I just worry all of the time. I have a scan at 6 weeks, 7-8 weeks, 9 weeks then 10-11 weeks. Then I have my 12 week, then I have one at 15 weeks for gender scan, then I have a 16 week scan in fetal medicine as I have 2 children with heart defects, then I don’t usually have anymore until my 20 week scan. If you want to book scans to keep your mind at ease then you do that, what ever makes you feel better.

I'm sorry about your losses and congratulations on your pregnancy! I think I would book an extra scan too

Thank you everyone. I am going to book one for when I'll be 8 weeks exactly. Is that going to be accurate enough then ?

I was 8+3 on my first scan and got some really good pictures and could see the heartbeat so yes will be fine

I had a scan at exactly 8 weeks. It is accurate, they see the heartbeat, the cord, placenta, everything! I defenitely won't have it earlier. I have attached a photo of my 8 weeks scan.
I had mmc and chemical pregnancy before so I couldn't wait for the 12 weeks scan either. I also had scans every month. They are expensive, but if it gives you a piece of mind, they definitely worth it! You still will be worried; but I found comfort in looking at the photos and videos, seeing my baby grow.

Thanks for sharing, what a great pic !
Will it be abdominal at that point ?

My 7 week scan was internal and 9 week scan abdominal (:

Had a 8 week exactly scan both pregnancies. All abdominal, all good and could see heartbeats and wriggling 😍
Attached mine!

I had a private scan at 7 weeks with my first and 8 weeks with my second, heartbeat and baby were much clearer at 8 weeks so I would wait til then! 7 weeks was internal as the baby had implanted low down, but the 8 week one was abdominal.

We also got a video of the scan included and it was so lovely to be able to share that with family.

I've got a scan booked for exactly 8 weeks.
It's the day before my midwife appointment. I haven't allowed myself to do anymore tests, I've only done the one when I got a postive so will be anxious for this scan. Not til the 27th though ! Why does time stand still in the first trimester 😩😩

@thunderonlyhappenswhenits I had an early private scan at what i thought was 8 weeks (Turns out I was only 7). im now 33 weeks and I was talking to my sister yesterday about how glad I was I did go for one. At the time it was just for reassurance baby was growing in the right place but now I have pictures and videos of our little one as a tiny bean, not even recognisable as a baby yet, with a little flickering hearrtbeat. Looking back on that to where she is now is incredible. And if the worst was to happen between then and 12 weeks I would always have that to keep with me.