How far along were you when you had your first scan?

[bossgirl94]

I'm currently 5 weeks and wondering whether to get an early private scan or not (I probably will because I want to make sure everything is okay and can't believe it's real)

But just wanting to know when others had their first scan either private or on NHS

If paying privately I would go for around 8 weeks as you would have a visible heartbeat by then

I've had a scan at 4 weeks 3 days ( for other medical purposes) and the pregnancy sac was spotted but you won't see much more than that!

Even at 5 weeks you won't see much.
You could always ask you doctor to refer you for an early one depending on wether you've had any scares before

Congratulations 🥳

I had my first scan at 7 weeks, you should def see a little bean and heartbeat by then 😊 x

I really wouldn't get one before 12 weeks. It can only reassure you at that moment if things are ok. It's really a false assurance

I would get one at 8 weeks because it gives you some reassurance whilst waiting on your 12 weeks scan. I don't see this as a waste of money because even if the worst was to happen after then at least you have a scan picture for a memory, go for it.

I had one at 5 weeks because I'd been cramping, all fine but they booked me for a follow-up at 7 weeks, all looked good, saw heartbeat.
Didn't make it to the 12 week scan - miscarried at 11 weeks.

I don't disagree with this

5&7 but that was at my IVF clinic.

I would recommend 7/8 weeks

They can do it from about 6 weeks

No scan will ever make it safe - I've had a 10 week NHS scan that looked great and the baby had died by week 12. I am newly pregnant again and will be paying for private at 8 weeks then NHS 12 week scan. Private one isn't to "feel safe" it's to know if we have got past the first hurdle as 12 weeks is a long time to wait for something that may not be working

I had fertility treatment and they did the first scan after positive pregnancy test at between 6-7w to confirm successful conception - by that point there was a tiny heartbeat flickering.

(That was NHS treatment - not private)

I had a scan at around 6 weeks at EPU due to spotting. They wouldn’t scan any sooner than that. Could only see the tiniest bean! As PP said though, it only reassures at that time, it didn’t quell anxiety for long.

One at 13 weeks and one at 20 weeks. That was all you had.

6 weeks due to spotting. I have had a previous blighted ovum, so I would always have a scan before 12 weeks. I would have found the mc way more distressing if I only found out at 12 weeks. Good luck with your pregnancy! X

Both times waited for the nhs one. I kept thinking everything is going well, bc if it’s not I’ll find out soon and there is nothing a scan could help with in that case.

but if telling yourself this doesn’t work, do it for your peace of mind.

10+3 for NIPT including scan
12+2 NHS scan

Very early scans are not worth it unless under medical advice but I wanted to have the NIPT as early as possible so we had the opportunity for earlier termination if results had been poor. But we were older parents so the risks were significantly higher (40 and 45).

Any that I had before 7/8 weeks showed absolutely nothing at all inducing extreme anxiety indicating that there was indeed something very wrong.
After 7 weeks showed a heart beating.

I only went for scans before the 7/8 week mark due to bleeding and pain and multiple miscarriages.

The occasions I had no bleeding or pain, I had scans after 8 weeks for reassurance

That's provided they give you your scan photo! I had scans done at 7 weeks but only measured around 5 weeks and couldn't see anything apart from the sac and a whiteish shadow, scanned again 3 weeks later and this time I could see a Little Bean shape on there but no heartbeat and scanned again a week later to find out I'd possibly miscarried but couldn't be confirmed for another 2 weeks. When I went back in for the confirmation scan I asked them if I could have my scan pic from the 8 week scan and they told me no I couldn't because it didn't even resemble a proper baby so why would I even want it.

I had one at 8+1, one at 10+5 and then my NHS one was at 13+5. Then just my 20 week scan, none after that!

12 weeks for first but I think 6 weeks for second as I had developed type 1 diabetes and when at the hospital the midwife said the scanner was available if I wanted a scan and who says no?

With my pregnancies I went at 6.5 weeks privately . I would have waited until at least 7 weeks to guarantee a heartbeat but I’m impatient. Luckily I did get a heartbeat .

With my first pregnancy I had a missed miscarriage and the baby never developed past 6 weeks which is why I do an early scan .

I went for a private scan at 8 weeks then my NHS scan was at 13 weeks.

I booked a private scan at 8 weeks and it was well worth it! I saw the little flickering heartbeat.
My NHS scan is booked for 10 weeks. (They will assume I'm 12 weeks plus 2 due to period dates but at my first scan they said I wasn't measuring that far along!)

@MayISuggestSomeThickCutSteakChipsToGoWithThat

Op is talking about private scans on which you pay for the photos so you always get them, plus with baby bond you get video footage of movement and heartbeat which is an added bonus to keep.

6+3 for my first as I had spotting, they did find a heartbeat.

This time around I'm hoping I only need the 12 and 20 weeks scans.