Another reassurance scan before Xmas or not? (lots already)

[flowerexpress]

Hi all,

I am pregnant with my 1st child. We got off to a very scary start with a suspected ectopic. There was a mistake re dates at the hospital and they initially recommended I be rushed into surgery for possible removal of my fallopian tube. It was intense. Eventually was all sorted out and established that baby was in the womb, but frankly it was horrid. Very grateful however for the care I received and that baby turned out to be in the right place. Lots of scans involved at the time - 4/5 maybe and then a 6 week epu scan.

I am quite anxious (especially now) and have had 2 reassurance scans since then (8 and 10 weeks). I really wanted to have a 12 week scan before Xmas to feel reassured we've made it to that milestone ok. My booking in appt isn't till 12 weeks so I think I'm unlikely to get my next nhs scan till 14 weeks and no midwife to ask yet. But I'm now worrying the scan could harm the baby so don't know whether to go ahead and also worried all the scans so far could have harmed baby.

I realise my anxiety is high. Have ptsd anyway and making a big effort go be proactive about managing it and stay as calm as possible for baby.

Thanks for any perspectives/experience x

Hi OP - I’m so sorry for what you went through early on in the pregnancy, your anxiety is totally valid and you don’t need to justify having reassurance scans if it helps with your well being and provides comfort.
I am currently 12 weeks pregnant with baby 1, having had 2 miscarriages this year. I have had private scans at 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11 weeks and EPU scan at 6 weeks plus my dating scan yesterday. I know it sounds a lot to some people but it’s what I needed to manage my anxiety and panic attacks regarding the pregnancy.
it seem you will enjoy the festive period much more by having a 12 week scan, particularly if your nhs scan will be delayed into the new year.
i would say go for it if it will make you feel better - you at your best mentally is also best for baby.
also - congratulations! X

I had chronic anxiety when pregnant and had tons of scans they won’t harm the baby

I've had severe pregnancy anxiety due to multiple losses so feel your pain.

Two things, first, scans won't harm your baby and two, just keep in mind that the reassurance you get from a scan is short lived (as you've found out). However, if having a scan will be the difference between you being able to enjoy Christmas or not, I'd say have one. Life's too short and when you're pregnant and anxious, weeks feel like months!

Be reassured though that statistically, if you've had successful scans at 8 and 10 weeks, the odds are very much in your favour that all will
be ok 😊.

Thank you so much for all of your kind replies. I really appreciate it. I'm so very sorry for your losses and that you've had to go through such traumatic experiences.

I think you're right and I will enjoy the festive period much more knowing I've had a scan at that twelve week milestone and good to hear other ppl think it's not harmful to the baby and have also had multiple scans, so will probably go for it. Definitely think it will be better for my mental wellbeing. I'm hoping once I get past that first trimester I'll be less anxious but you're definitely right that that reassurance doesn't last very long. Thank you all so much again for replying and sharing your own experiences. It means a lot. Best wishes to those of you who are currently pregnant for healthy happy pregnancies and congratulations too xx

Op I fully understand I tried for my son who is now 7 for 11 years and had two miscarriages I never enjoyed my pregnancy I was in a constant state of fear I remember having my 12 week scan on Christmas Eve congratulations to you x

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I'm so sorry for your losses and what you went through and really glad to hear you have your son now. Maybe I could get lucky and they might squeeze me in before Christmas then - my booking appt is on the 21st x

I had my booking in appt yesterday (at 12w - was the earliest appt offered). It went pretty awfully for various reasons and was a very negative experience. I asked the midwife briefly at the end about a reassurance scan and she advised against it. Stupidly, I didn't ask why because the appt had been so difficult I was pretty desperate to leave. I regret not asking now. She said I'd get my scan between 28th and 6th ish so won't know baby is OK for Christmas and dilemma over scans reignited :/

@flowerexpress I totally understand, I would just try and squeeze in a private scan before Xmas 😊

The odds are very much in your favour for everything to be OK @flowerexpress
But I would imagine the advice not to have a private scan is because if something unusual or concerning is found at the scan, then you would be referred back in to the NHS and you are then trying to get seen over the Xmas bank holidays. Screening/sonography is not an acute service in obstetrics and they will have the bank holidays and the weekend off. Workload will be heavy on the days they are in. It might just be a bit wiser to just wait for your 12 week scan now so that if anything is found (unlikely) you can slot straight into the harem?

Not harem!! System!!