Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Another early scan yes or no

16 replies

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 12:18

I'm freaking out and would appreciate some help as I don't know what to do for the best. My mental health hasn't been the best the past few weeks, my anxiety has been through the roof. I am 10+1 today naturally pregnant after years of secondary infertility and a mmc after ivf in November.
I had an early private scan at 8 weeks, I was dated as 7+6 everything looked fine. I then had some spotting 4 days later and managed to get a scan at the epu, they measured me as 8+5 which worked out because it was 6 days later. No reason for the bleeding apart from 'old implantation blood'

Now I find myself at 10 weeks feeling better, my nausea has settled the past week, it wasn't bad to begin with though. I've convinced myself my boobs aren't as swollen (but I've got ocd and have been checking them daily so I don't know if I trust my judgement) I'm tired, need a wee all the time and am moody.

Im in two minds about whether to go and have another private scan.... my nhs scan isn't until the end of the month and I don't know if I can carry on like this! The anxiety is constantly there, looking for something to obsess about. I've told myself if I have another scan on the one hand I'll see the baby and that's a positive, but what If I'm measuring behind ?! That will make me seriously freak out and would just make my mental health worse.

What would you do if you were me ???

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 12:26

Also my partner supports me whatever I want to do but he has pointed out that I could easily fall into the trap of reassurance seeking with scans and that's true, I don't know if I have a genuine enough reason to have another scan or if my mind is making them up to justify one, if you get what I mean

OP posts:

nee22 · 15/03/2022 12:27

If you can afford to do another private scan I would do it as it will help you in the short term. BUT I would also advise you to immediately self refer to perinatal mental health team or get midwife to refer you as it sounds like your anxiety is very strong and you could do with support going forward. In my experience they were fantastic. Wishing you all the best xx

TheBirdintheCave · 15/03/2022 12:29

With my son I had a scan at 7 weeks and was planning to have another. I told myself to see how I felt when I got to 8 weeks and once I reached that milestone I thought 'I can probably get to 9' without a scan. On and on this went until I got to my NHS scan at nearly 13 weeks.

I think it's better to wait and try and set small goals for yourself to reach BUT if you really feel like you need another scan and can afford one I don't think it will cause any harm :)

Aarti96 · 15/03/2022 12:30

The scans will only give you momentary relief and then you will go back to worrying the next day. You need to tackle your anxieties from the root, otherwise you will struggle to enjoy the next 30 weeks of your pregnancy. I suggest speaking with your midwifery team and asking for mental health support.

linerforlife · 15/03/2022 12:33

Did you post earlier today about symptoms waning at 10 weeks? This is when they're supposed to start to subside. I know it's hard not to be anxious but a scan will only give you temporary relief.

Tinadecember · 15/03/2022 12:39

I had a scan at 7 weeks for reassurance that everything was as it should be and then another at 10 weeks due to my symptoms easing, exactly like you. The scan affirmed for me that how I am feeling is normal and that everything is fine with the baby, it's simply the placenta taking over. I think if you are really suffering then another scan to put your mind at ease wont hurt, however, as others have said, it's easy to become dependent on reassurance scans!

Original poster

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 12:41

Yeah I did start another thread, I was okay as the answers on it as they made me feel reassured and normal but another poster came along since and I've freaked out now.
See there is something holding me back with booking a scan, and again i think it's the anxiety telling me I might be told my dates aren't right or something ! I know it's irrational and I do recognise it's not normal behaviour, I just don't know what to do to make myself feel better.
Honestly I feel so confused atm. Could the hormones be making it worse ?

OP posts:

SunnySideUp2020 · 15/03/2022 13:11

You are suffering with anxiety and the hormones are not helping.

It is super hard this stage of pregnancy when symptoms get better. You dont feel pregnant and you dont know where you stand. I am in a similar boat like i said on my thread waiting for 12w scan...

If i were you i would get the scan. At least you know what's up. Perhaps try to book it for end of this week? So you only have another week until thr 12w scan?

And definitely speak to your midwife, they will refer you to get some support for the anxiety.
You shouldn't be left feeling this way. ❤

Original poster

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 13:30

I've booked one for this evening. So nervous.
I plan on speaking to the midwife's tomorrow about my anxiety as I can't go on like this

OP posts:

Cakecakecheese · 15/03/2022 13:53

Good luck with the scan and definitely talk to a midwife.

I had pretty bad anxiety due to previous losses but I started feeling much better after the 12 week scan, I hope you can start to feel better about things soon.

Original poster

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 14:26

Oh god if it's possible my anxiety is even worse now ! I've booked it but now wondering if it's the right thing to do and if I should just cancel it

OP posts:

CoalCraft · 15/03/2022 14:35

I sincerely doubt another scan will ease your anxiety for more than a couple of hours. All it'll do is make you crave your next reassurance "fix".

On the other hand, it won't cause any harm to you or your baby, so if you do do it there's no reason to feel guilty.

Your physical symptoms sound completely normal, so no reason for concern there. Just take try to take things one day at a time

SunnySideUp2020 · 15/03/2022 14:40

@seekingsomereassurance
You did the right thing for now I think.
Go to your scan, and I hope everything will be looking as it should and you will have some relief. Even if temporary.
The anxiety won't fix itself tonight or tomorrow though. It's a long road.
Do you have coping mechanisms? Things you know will calm you for a little while or distract you? Can you maybe call a friend just to chat or your partner?

Raindrops2015 · 15/03/2022 14:59

Personally. I'd cancel. After an 8 week scan your risk of anything going wrong is about 2%. I'm in the same boat with history and anxiety but looking at your situation I can see that it is looking really positive for you. 12 week scan is not too far away so try and hang tight.

Original poster

seekingsomereassurance · 15/03/2022 17:14

I've had the scan and the baby was bouncing about. Measuring 10+1 which is what I thought so that was a relief. I even heard the heartbeat. Need to chill out now as I'm making myself ill with worry. I'm also not going to open potentially triggering posts on here as it just makes me paranoid.
I'm sorry if anyones reading this and I've made you feel anxious today.

OP posts:

SunnySideUp2020 · 15/03/2022 19:20

Amazing news! So happy for you.
Hope you can have a little break tonight x
Do speak to the midwife asap!

Flip