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

Original poster

Shall I go for a private scan before the 12 week scan?

40 replies

xalexandra · 02/09/2022 08:50

I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant and in two minds about going for a private scan. I found out I was pregnant last December but had a MMC at 6 weeks - found this out after going to a private scan at 6 and a half weeks. Feel like I'm a bit put off private scans. I have pregnancy symptoms (which I didn't last December) so shall I just wait till 12 weeks? Or after someone that's experienced a MC before is it worth going to a private scan now?

OP posts:
ChagSameachDoreen · 02/09/2022 09:02

It's a tricky one, because as you say, it's very possible to miscarry between the private scan and the NHS 12-week scan. I had private scans at 8 weeks and 10 weeks because I had a voucher, and it did give me reassurance, although I was still anxious before the 12-week.

Snugglemonkey · 02/09/2022 09:03

I have been for several private scans. It really helped me relax after a very traumatic first pregnancy.

Original poster
xalexandra · 02/09/2022 09:05

ChagSameachDoreen · 02/09/2022 09:02

It's a tricky one, because as you say, it's very possible to miscarry between the private scan and the NHS 12-week scan. I had private scans at 8 weeks and 10 weeks because I had a voucher, and it did give me reassurance, although I was still anxious before the 12-week.

Yeah it's hard! My friend had a scan at 7 weeks and found a heartbeat and everything seemed fine then she miscarried a few days later. So I just think what's the point in going to one this early? But then also if there's a chance I have miscarried then it's probably better finding out sooner rather than later. 12 weeks does seem a long time to wait. But I also don't want to kind of be given false hope at 7 weeks then miscarry at 9 or something like that! Tricky one!

OP posts:
Original poster
xalexandra · 02/09/2022 09:07

Snugglemonkey · 02/09/2022 09:03

I have been for several private scans. It really helped me relax after a very traumatic first pregnancy.

Can I ask did you find the first one really nerve racking due to your previous pregnancy? I think it's mainly nerves and what happened last time that's stopping me from going 🫣

OP posts:
Branleuse · 02/09/2022 09:07

I think youd need one every week for reassurance at this stage, so could get expensive x

Blondeshavemorefun · 02/09/2022 09:25

I had 7w 10 and 12w. Then 16w 20w and as was then consultant led git seen scanner eveey 3w nhs which was amazing and reassuring

bubs as we nicknamed her was stubborn at scans and sometimes scared me not moving so went in a few times to be monitored and then she moved little bugger !!

a very much wanted preg and took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so I was on tenterhooks

tbh the price of scans was nothing compared to the many thousand as we spent on ivf

so if you can afford it scan often it will help

Sawa75 · 02/09/2022 09:41

Ultimstely having a scan or not won't change the outcome, so if you're falsely reassured for a few weeks is it better than being devastated and waiting to miscarry? Or vice versa. You could equally wait for the 12 week scan and think everything is fine when its not.

I'm getting a scan tomorrow, 7 weeks and previous mmc. I need to know either way

Sawa75 · 02/09/2022 09:43

Sorry meant ultimately

FarmDoesntRhymeWithCalm · 02/09/2022 09:45

Hi OP

I had a MMC 2 years ago - found out at 12 week scan. I had medical management for it and was recommended by the early pregnancy assessment clinic to contact them when I was pregnant again to get a scan at around 7 weeks so they can check everything's ok.
It's no guarantee that everything will be ok, but definitely worth it for reassurance, at least at this early stage.

AverageJoan · 02/09/2022 09:47

I had a private scan at 7+5 and I did find it reassuring at the time. The NHS got our dates wrong for the 12 week so we were lucky enough to get one on them at 9 weeks then had our '12 week' one at 13+6. None of them ever stopped me feeling anxious before the next though. If you want one and feel like it would put your mind at rest a little then go for it!

SiberFox · 02/09/2022 13:27

I also found MMC on a private scan before. Was going to wait for the 12 week one this time but had a bleeding episode at 8 weeks and wanted to know either way. I then had a scan for NIPT just before the 12 week one. I did find them reassuring although of course not eliminating the worry. But knowing the measurements/HB were good was very helpful as last time I was way off from the beginning.

Original poster
xalexandra · 02/09/2022 20:00

Sawa75 · 02/09/2022 09:41

Ultimstely having a scan or not won't change the outcome, so if you're falsely reassured for a few weeks is it better than being devastated and waiting to miscarry? Or vice versa. You could equally wait for the 12 week scan and think everything is fine when its not.

I'm getting a scan tomorrow, 7 weeks and previous mmc. I need to know either way

So true. Just end up over thinking it! Hope your scan goes well :) x

OP posts:
Apl · 02/09/2022 20:09

I don’t see the point. Also I don’t like how at my (private) scan they made the scan last way longer than necessary, encouraging me to “ahhhhh” and “ohhhh” when actually I wanted minimum fetal exposure. My skin was hot for a long time after (an hr?) where they put the gel on - heat is bad for fetal development - now I feel like minimal scans is right for me and I actually prefer the quick nhs do the minimum then move on approach.

Original poster
xalexandra · 02/09/2022 20:11

Apl · 02/09/2022 20:09

I don’t see the point. Also I don’t like how at my (private) scan they made the scan last way longer than necessary, encouraging me to “ahhhhh” and “ohhhh” when actually I wanted minimum fetal exposure. My skin was hot for a long time after (an hr?) where they put the gel on - heat is bad for fetal development - now I feel like minimal scans is right for me and I actually prefer the quick nhs do the minimum then move on approach.

Understandable, I get that! I feel like they are bad luck in a way. Is that bad to think that?! 😂

OP posts:
Keha · 02/09/2022 20:37

I think it is worth it about 8/9 weeks. You can google the statistics but the risk of miscarriage if you see a "normal" pregnancy with normal heartbeat etc has really dropped by that stage and it doesn't improve much after that. I think it depends on your attitude though. My feeling was that I would rather know earlier if it was unlikely to be a successful pregnancy, but I also wasn't going to assume a positive scan at 8 weeks meant there was no further risk. However after my 8 week scan, based on statistics I was able to feel that there was a 95% plus chance of things being okay, rather than a 75% ish chance based on all miscarriage risk in first trimester. I have quite a scientific way of thinking so this provided plenty of reassurance for me but I still knew things could go wrong. I don't think it is overly healthy to end up wanting to go for a scan every week, just to be sure (mainly because of cost and anxiety levels!). I also think all the way through pregnancy you have to live with an element of risk and there is never a point at which you can just assume everything will be okay.

I don't see it as bad luck but then again I guess I'm not particularly superstitious.

This article explains the statistics well I think -

expectingscience.com/2015/08/26/lies-damned-lies-and-miscarriage-statistics/#:~:text=Women%20who%20entered%20the%20study,had%20a%20risk%20under%2010%25. This article explains the statistics well I think

Original poster
xalexandra · 02/09/2022 21:11

Keha · 02/09/2022 20:37

I think it is worth it about 8/9 weeks. You can google the statistics but the risk of miscarriage if you see a "normal" pregnancy with normal heartbeat etc has really dropped by that stage and it doesn't improve much after that. I think it depends on your attitude though. My feeling was that I would rather know earlier if it was unlikely to be a successful pregnancy, but I also wasn't going to assume a positive scan at 8 weeks meant there was no further risk. However after my 8 week scan, based on statistics I was able to feel that there was a 95% plus chance of things being okay, rather than a 75% ish chance based on all miscarriage risk in first trimester. I have quite a scientific way of thinking so this provided plenty of reassurance for me but I still knew things could go wrong. I don't think it is overly healthy to end up wanting to go for a scan every week, just to be sure (mainly because of cost and anxiety levels!). I also think all the way through pregnancy you have to live with an element of risk and there is never a point at which you can just assume everything will be okay.

I don't see it as bad luck but then again I guess I'm not particularly superstitious.

This article explains the statistics well I think -

expectingscience.com/2015/08/26/lies-damned-lies-and-miscarriage-statistics/#:~:text=Women%20who%20entered%20the%20study,had%20a%20risk%20under%2010%25. This article explains the statistics well I think

That's a really useful link, thank you 🙏🏼

OP posts:
Sunshine0987 · 03/09/2022 08:49

I've been wondering the same - currently 5+2 and thought I really wanted one but now I'm thinking maybe not because it's not going to change the outcome and I have absolutely no reason to be at higher risk of miscarriage. The main reason I was thinking of getting one was to confirm viability before we tell our parents at around 8 weeks but this never used to be a thing! I mentioned early scans to my mum a few months ago and she just said 'why'? So I think telling them at that point, they'll expect we haven't had a scan yet and it shouldn't be too bad if something isn't right at the 12 week scan.

However, I absolutely get that if you're super stressed and/or have risk factors it might be worth it for you as I know it is recommended if you've had a previous MC.

Sawa75 · 03/09/2022 11:04

Update: I went this morning, all on track and good heartbeat (although I know there are no guarantees). No regrets at all. And if it had been bad news I'd have preferred to know.

Mwnci123 · 03/09/2022 11:17

I agree with @Keha.
I went for a private scan after MMC and found it reassuring.

Krakinou · 03/09/2022 11:34

I also agree with @Keha . Not had an mc but after 8.5 yrs trying and IVF, an 8 week scan reassured me a lot, knowing the statistics. It allowed me to let myself believe and tell myself I had as much chance as anyone else. I’d say the anxiety got a lot more bearable and I didn’t start worrying again until a few days before the 12wk scan. Also DP got Covid and couldn’t come to the 12 wk scan with me so it was good to have a bit less fear going into that alone.

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/09/2022 12:31

When we heard babies heart at 7w it was the most amazing experience

llus I was so sick i wondered if twins but was just hg

just lok

hg is bloody awful !!

Pinkjellies · 03/09/2022 13:01

I've had a healthy full term pregnancy and a miscarriage and I would recommend a private scan at around 8 weeks. Any earlier and there can be too much confusion around dates etc but by 8 weeks if you don't see anything it's likely a miscarriage. Having a miscarriage at 12 weeks was very traumatic and had I had the chance to have known about it earlier I would've taken it. Three months is a long time to carry a pregnancy to find out it's a miscarriage. Sorry, I know this sounds morbid, hoping for a healthy bean for you.

Original poster
xalexandra · 03/09/2022 13:26

Sawa75 · 03/09/2022 11:04

Update: I went this morning, all on track and good heartbeat (although I know there are no guarantees). No regrets at all. And if it had been bad news I'd have preferred to know.

Oh that's lovely news!! Biscuit

OP posts:
Original poster
xalexandra · 03/09/2022 13:29

Pinkjellies · 03/09/2022 13:01

I've had a healthy full term pregnancy and a miscarriage and I would recommend a private scan at around 8 weeks. Any earlier and there can be too much confusion around dates etc but by 8 weeks if you don't see anything it's likely a miscarriage. Having a miscarriage at 12 weeks was very traumatic and had I had the chance to have known about it earlier I would've taken it. Three months is a long time to carry a pregnancy to find out it's a miscarriage. Sorry, I know this sounds morbid, hoping for a healthy bean for you.

Completely agree which is why I would quite like to have a private scan, I think it's just the nervousness beforehand that's stopped me so far. I see a lot of people have said about having a scan at 8 weeks so I'm going to book one for then :)

OP posts:
Bella9992 · 03/09/2022 20:51

I agree with what a PP said about the MC risk dropping if seeing a heartbeat at 8 weeks. I knew it couldn't prevent things from going wrong and a scan is just one moment in time. But as I was so anxious with both my pregancies due to previous MC, I found it very reassuring and when I started to panic, I'd remind myself I had a 95% chance everything was OK.

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