What now? Viability scan?

[Drf]

So I'm pregnant for the first time and scared out of my shorts. Every time I have a twinge I think something bad is happening. And when I have no twinges I think something bad is happening! 🤦‍♀️ I'm only 5 weeks so I know it's super early, but I feel like mumsnet has kinda terrified me. It's a great platform, but it's also where a lot of people go for reassurance or advice when things aren't going well, and I think I've read too many posts about mmc and ectopic pregnancies that I've got myself worked up into a tizzy.
Has anyone opted for a private viability scan at 6+ weeks for reassurance and would reccommed? I've heard such mixed reviews. I'm from Scotland but just moved to Ireland where the health care system is non-existent and everything costs a fortune. In Scotland the private scans are £60 but here they are about €135 😵😵 trying to see if it's worth it!
If you had one, how many weeks were you?

I had one at 7 weeks and heartbeat was seen etc, some people love them and some don’t, I personally needed it as a previous miscarriage had left me a nervous wreck! I actually had 3 scans before my 12week.

I would leave it as close to 7/8 weeks as at this early stage what you see is so variable and it could cause you stress if your dates are even slightly out! Good luck! It’s a magical but very nerve wracking time xx

My "viability scan" was just my normal first appt with the gynaecologist where they also took bloods, history, weight etc. I'm not in the UK so this was free and just a standard appt. I was 8 weeks.

It was a bit hard waiting until then but I'm glad I did, because we saw the heartbeat in the baby-like blob!

The danger of a really early scan is that you might not see anything, or no heartbeat, or a smaller sac than expected and you'll just worry more until the next scan. So I'd recommend waiting a couple of weeks.

I have had viability scans. With my last pregnancy they were unable to tell me if twin 2 was viable so I had a free second appointment. It was a long two weeks wait until 8 weeks when they could tell me what was happening with twin 2.

Congratulations on your pregnant OP. I had severe tummy pains and got an early scan on NHS at 6 weeks. Everything was fine.

Also, just so you’re aware, the chance of miscarriage drops rapidly from 4 weeks. This calculator might help reassure you:

datayze.com/miscarriage-chart

It's so nerve wracking, isn't it??

I waited until 8 weeks for a reassurance scan (went private) because I didn't want the stress of seeing a sac and pole but no heartbeat yet, which I read a lot about on here.

Waiting an extra couple of weeks was torture but I got to see a heartbeat and even little arms and legs, so I'm glad I held out.

Thanks for your replies guys! I am going to register with a gp tomorrow so ill try to get more info about antenatal care in Ireland. From what ive read i dont think they do a great deal before 12 weeks, but i could be wrong! I'm going back to Scotland for a visit in the middle of July when I'll be 9 weeks, so I might book an early scan for then nearer the time if everything still seems ok.
Every day just feels like a week at this stage 🤣🙈 I need to learn to just relax and enjoy it, what will be will be!

@DogsAndGin wow I've never seen that chart... I need to start focusing on the 80% chance of not miscarrying 💪🥰

@ChagSameachDoreen omg thats so cool, I'm totally amazed by women and what we can do! I can't even begin to imagine little arms and legs in there in 3 weeks time 😱 thats too exciting!😍

I went for a private scan yesterday at 7+6. I was like you and very anxious about all the things that could go wrong. I couldn't decide whether or not to get an early scan as I know they can end up causing more worry, but I couldn't wait another 4 weeks for my 12 week scan so off we went. I am now glad I did it as we saw a healthy embryo measuring a day ahead at 8 weeks. Could clearly make out the head, arms and legs (and a little tail!) and a strong heartbeat.

Aww congrats @Nyxxie, what a weight off your mind 😁🤗 I think I'll go for it when I hit the 2 month mark 🤞

Congratulations and I sympathise. After my previous miscarriage I have also been a wreck, every symptom I panic and then no symptoms and I panic too. I wasn't sure whether to have an early scan but when I got to around 7 weeks my boobs suddenly stopped hurting and I thought something was wrong. The scan was great, I was around 8 weeks and we could see a little bean with a beautiful heartbeat.

I had a private scan yesterday at around 7 weeks. It was nice to know there is something there with a heartbeat and it's growing in the right place. Wish I had waited a bit longer though because now it's so long until my 12 week scan! And I couldn't really see much.