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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Early scan or not to bother?

73 replies

Lalalul · 02/01/2023 10:52

hello all! I’m really on the fence about getting an early scan. Im currently 8 weeks and these 4 weeks since finding out have been the slowest of my life, and full of excitement mixed with worry. I see lots of people having early scans, seeing a little heartbeat and having any worries squashed. Of course I have seen others receiving heartbreaking news. DH doesn’t want to do an early scan, doesn’t see the point, it’s £80 and our 12 week scan is booked for 30th Jan. it just doesn’t feel real to me without seeing the bean. This will be our first.

interested to hear from those who have and haven’t booked one, and if you are happy with the route you took, had any regrets? Thank you

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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laurapalmer22 · 03/01/2023 15:59

In my home country it's completely normal to get an early scan privately, because you're only offered one free one at 20 weeks. We're having one done here with a private OB/GYN clinic with spotless reviews. If it's bad news, we'd rather know sooner than later. And if it's good news, we'll be hopeful but not naive and think everything will be fine. It's worth it to us, and we're also financially in a position to choose so.

Emmamoo89 · 03/01/2023 16:01

CristinaNov182 · 02/01/2023 18:48

for all the women who had the embryo stopped developing at 6 or 8 weeks, wouldn’t you have known by 12 weeks anyway? By the body starting a mc by then? I think that’s what happens?

and then if a 10 weeks scan is ok, you still don’t know if it will still be ok at 12, high chances to be but not 100%.

I have a relative that told family about pregnancies 3 times after they had the 12 week scan and ended up in mc a week after, 4 weeks after and 3rd time don’t know how much later. (They have children now)

what I’m trying to get is that a mc is a heartbreak anyway, whenever and however it comes, and reassurances from scans are short lived and can’t be 100%.

to prepare myself, I always thought a baby is a possibility during the first trimester, becoming a probability after a successful 20 week scan, but it’s an actual baby when it’s born. Found it easy to believe until the 3rd trimester when it’s very hard to contemplate not having a baby after this point.

Not with a missed miscarriage. My baby stopped developing at 9 weeks. I still had pregnancy symptoms. The only thing that gave it away before the scan I had an awful dream.

Maximuss · 03/01/2023 16:01

Go for it if you want to but not to be negative but a good early scan doesn’t always mean things will be fine, I had early NHS scan with a heartbeat at 7 weeks (due to previous ectopic) but at the 12 week scan found out that things stopped developing not long after that and I’d had a missed miscarriage

PeachyMama · 03/01/2023 16:12

I had one at 8 weeks at window to the womb and do not regret it one bit x

Original poster

Lalalul · 05/01/2023 13:22

Thanks so much everyone. Some really interesting perspectives on both sides that has given me good for thought. My symptoms have virtually gone so I am worrying. I stupidly took another test to ‘reassure’ myself and the line was much fainter than a few weeks ago. I’m about 8+5. Spoke to husband, who is supportive of me going to an early scan but he doesn’t want to go (I don’t think he gets why as ‘what will be will be and we will find out at 12 weeks). So now I’m split again. I want to go but don’t want to go alone if it is bad news :( gah!

OP posts:

Tabitha888 · 05/01/2023 13:23

Just book it, I did best feeling

Twizbe · 05/01/2023 13:35

Lalalul · 05/01/2023 13:22

Look up hook effect for the test.

Also around 9 weeks the placenta takes over so the symptoms can start to ease off.

Eatentoomanyroses · 05/01/2023 14:06

The hook effect is definitely a thing. I was an avid tester and at one point around 9 weeks I had to have a drop of urine to a load of water to get a really dark line. Quite weird really

Trymein · 05/01/2023 14:45

I’ve had a few. Twice they’ve showed the foetus not developing as it should and have gone on to have a missed miscarriage. Also twice have shown heartbeats at 6 and 8 weeks, then also went on to miscarry. I prefer to know as early as possible if there is a problem, but also don’t take any false hope even if they do show a heartbeat - I think that was the most heartbreaking as felt reassured and then went on to lose it.

OrcaBlondie · 05/01/2023 16:21

If you can afford it then I don’t understand why you don’t just book it if it’s what you want to do (which you clearly do). If your husband doesn’t want to go with you is there anyone else who knows about your pregnancy who could go with you?

I understand the anxiety re symptoms but there are tons of threads on here about symptoms disappearing around weeks 8/9.

Got2besoon · 05/01/2023 16:28

I had a mmc and was glad to find out at 7 weeks rather than 12. It also meant I had treatment faster.

If I fall pregnant again, I'll need an early scan for reassurance.

CityKity · 05/01/2023 16:44

I’m currently 9 weeks with my first too and have never considered getting an early scan, I didn’t even really know it was an option until mumsnet!

Ive had very few normal symptoms so am a teeny tiny bit worried that it’s not viable BUT having said that if you look at threads on here there’s a whole range of woman that have zero symptoms right through to having HG, so there really is no normal.

I think early scans are really depend on personality! If you’re anxious and need some control of course go for it. I’m as laid back as they come so I’m just going to see what happens at week 12. It’s my first time so I have no reason to think it will go south but if I have a mc this time round I’m likely to change my mind on early scans the next time.

Original poster

Lalalul · 06/01/2023 19:15

Thank you so much everyone, some really interesting views on both sides! I have decided to book a scan for tomorrow. Fingers crossed for some good news

OP posts:

user147283179 · 06/01/2023 19:22

I had an early scan at 10 weeks because I just couldn't accept I was pregnant until I saw something was in there. My 12 week scan wasn't done until exactly 14 weeks so I'm glad I did it and didn't have another 4 weeks of wondering and worrying. It was such a nice experience I booked a 16 week sex scan with them too.

OrcaBlondie · 06/01/2023 20:18

Lalalul · 06/01/2023 19:15

Thank you so much everyone, some really interesting views on both sides! I have decided to book a scan for tomorrow. Fingers crossed for some good news

Hope your scan goes well ☺️

bk1981 · 06/01/2023 20:35

I had an 8 week scan with window to the womb. It was amazing to see its little arms and legs starting to form and a heart beating so strongly. It's standard in America to have one at 8 weeks. I too thought it was strange to have a midwife appointment/bloods/flu jab etc before a scan to confirm everything was okay. I know something could still go wrong between 8 and 12 weeks but the chances are greatly reduced once you've seen a heartbeat at 8 weeks. I hated the thought of something having gone wrong very early on and not finding out until 12 weeks.

Original poster

Lalalul · 06/01/2023 21:01

@bk1981 that’s lovely to hear. Thank you. I have booked with window to the womb and I think I will be between 8+5 to 9+2. Will be great if it’s starting to look like a baby too!

OP posts:

PurBal · 06/01/2023 21:07

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

TolkiensFallow · 06/01/2023 21:09

I don’t know if it helps but these are my experiences.

My first pregnancy I was terrified all the way until the 12 week scan. I told myself I shouldn’t have a private scan as it would be a rabbit hole of anxiety. It was fine and after I’d had the baby I told myself I would definitely have one next time, it would have really reassured me.

Second pregnancy I had the 8 week scan and saw a heartbeat but the baby was measuring small and I was left with that knowledge, feeling confused. I miscarried within days. I wouldn’t take the scan back though, that moment seeing it’s heartbeat was worth it.

Only you can decide.

Original poster

Lalalul · 07/01/2023 11:35

Had the scan this morning. Luckily good news. I’m measuring 1 day ahead of what I thought at 8+6. Little stubby legs and arms, could make out the head and the heartbeat flickering away. If anyone sees this worrying about symptoms reducing and pregnancy test fainter than a few weeks back, this might provide some reassurance. I know things can change between now and 12 weeks but it’s lovely to have been able to see everything going well and to know it’s real!! Good luck everyone x

OP posts:

TheBirdintheCave · 07/01/2023 13:01

Congrats @Lalalul That's really good to hear :D

1994girl · 07/01/2023 13:07

Don't bother, wait till your 12 week.

SkyBlue20 · 07/01/2023 13:53

Congrats, OP! Glad you felt it worthwhile doing 🥰 Best of luck in the rest of your pregnancy ☺️

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