Early scan confusion

Missg2302 · 2023-04-07T10:49:00+00:00

Hi all! I am 8 weeks 6 days today. Have not had booking appointment yet. Have pregnancy symptoms, nausea, fatigue, heartburn and swollen tender boobs. Yesterday, on a whim, I went for an early scan at a local private clinic and am left worried and confused. The person performing scan (transvaginal) didn’t say much, asked if I had had any bleeding (I have not) then said it doesn’t look good. She can see gestational sac, yolk sac and tiny dot (baby) but no heart beat. The pictures I have been sent are so unclear and I don’t know what I’m looking at either. Is this a missed miscarriage?! Or is it still possible I am pregnant? Thank you in advance for any advice xx

Coffeellama · 07/04/2023 11:53

How certain of your dates are you OP? it could be a missed misscarriage, or you could just be earlier on than you thought

Original poster

Missg2302 · 07/04/2023 11:59

Thank you for your reply.
I’m not 100% on dates. I am going by dates on Femometer app but periods have sometimes been irregular. I’ve looked at scans others have posted and they are much clearer even at earlier dates. I feel mine are really unclear or am I just trying to convince myself?! X

OP posts:

allgoodthings84 · 07/04/2023 17:59

I’m really sorry I can’t answer your question but I would contact your EPU or GP to get a referral to EPU (different trusts do it different was pre 20 weeks) and tell them what you was told and get scanned by them

PickledScrump · 07/04/2023 18:47

How long ago did you get your positive?

Original poster

Missg2302 · 07/04/2023 21:02

PickledScrump · 07/04/2023 18:47

How long ago did you get your positive?

My last period should have been 5th March five or take a few days. I didn't get a positive result until 15th March, all tests before were negative x

OP posts:

Yummymummy2020 · 07/04/2023 21:31

Op this can happen if your dates are off, it might not be bad news. Even a week can make a huge difference. Your gp can also do bloods to check your hcg levels as can the early pregnancy unit. Very useful in these situations. I use an app too but have an irregular cycle. I was only gone five weeks with both mine but my app and the nhs calculator predicted eight weeks or so! I have two crazy toddlers now ha ha. I am pregnant again and high risk so being sent for a scan next week but expecting a bit of confusion in there!

Original poster

Missg2302 · 07/04/2023 21:42

Yummymummy2020 · 07/04/2023 21:31

Op this can happen if your dates are off, it might not be bad news. Even a week can make a huge difference. Your gp can also do bloods to check your hcg levels as can the early pregnancy unit. Very useful in these situations. I use an app too but have an irregular cycle. I was only gone five weeks with both mine but my app and the nhs calculator predicted eight weeks or so! I have two crazy toddlers now ha ha. I am pregnant again and high risk so being sent for a scan next week but expecting a bit of confusion in there!

Thank you for the advice. It really helps. I have my booking appointment on Wednesday so will go from there. I know there's nothing I can do in the mean time. It's just a horrible wait. I appreciate all the replies. Thank you so much x

OP posts:

ScoobyBooby · 07/04/2023 21:51

Looks like a very early pregnancy . Did she not say how far along you could be ?

When I went for my scan with DS2 I was 5 weeks 4 days . Seen everything you can on your scan . Went back at 7 weeks and seen the HB. Very possible that your dates are off and could well be a healthy pregnancy just a tad early to see the heartbeat xx

Original poster

Missg2302 · 07/04/2023 22:02

ScoobyBooby · 07/04/2023 21:51

Looks like a very early pregnancy . Did she not say how far along you could be ?

When I went for my scan with DS2 I was 5 weeks 4 days . Seen everything you can on your scan . Went back at 7 weeks and seen the HB. Very possible that your dates are off and could well be a healthy pregnancy just a tad early to see the heartbeat xx

She didn't suggest my dates might be wrong at all. I think that's what's confusing me so much. I'm open to dates being out. She just said based on my LMP date it doesn't look good. I think my choice of clinic was questionable!! Thank you for your message x

OP posts:

ScoobyBooby · 07/04/2023 22:06

I find that strange that she didn't date the pregnancy herself and went off your LMP. This is used as a guide until your dating scan at 12-14 weeks if you don’t get an early scan .

I’ve had 2 early pregnancy scans and both times. They have been dated and didn’t match upto my own dates . I’m hoping for the best for you ! x

TheShellBeach · 07/04/2023 22:11

Scans are often inaccurate in the early stages, especially if you're not sure when you actually conceived.
I hope you get good news at your next scan.

Scalessayeek · 07/04/2023 22:46

From your bfp I’d put you at 6 weeks 5 days at the earliest and 7 weeks 2 days at the latest. I’d have thought you’d have seen more on your scan but it is early days still. Another scan in a week or if you can get bloods beforehand. If you can’t get hcg tested at your gp there are places that you can post them off (2 a few days apart). They’ll report what your hcg is doing and give you info you can take back to your GP.

Fingers crossed for you.

babynoname22 · 07/04/2023 22:57

What aftercare did they offer? This is awful service if they just it doesn't look good and sent you on your way.

I agree with PP I think your dates could be off. At 6w you would be lucky to see heartbeat. At 7weeks you should be able to see it and 8w you really should be able to see.

I have had scans at 7w2d abs seen heart heart beat. 8w and seen heart beat. (Ivf pregnancy)

6 weeks could be just too early.

Hopefully your dates are off and everything is fine. They should have measured crown to rump length to give a date on what they could see.

Sounds like a really terrible clinic. I'm sorry.

SnookyPook · 08/04/2023 00:29

Missg2302 · 07/04/2023 21:02

My last period should have been 5th March five or take a few days. I didn't get a positive result until 15th March, all tests before were negative x

Show quote history

This makes me think the dates are off by quite a bit - pretty unusual to not get a positive until 10 days after AF due. It would suggest you actually ovulated around the time you thought your period should have been due...probs early March? Everything crossed for you that you're just earlier on then you think. As others have suggested, worth contacting your EPU and telling them what was found and see what they suggest. Best of luck. X

Seasidegirl11 · 08/04/2023 06:52

I think your dates are off too. I got my BFP 14th March and my scan on Thursday (6 weeks exactly) looked exactly the same as your scan. Definitely contact EPU and they will scan you again. Be prepared they may say you need to wait a week or two to see if there’s any growth. Hope it all goes well OP.

Original poster

Missg2302 · 08/04/2023 10:52

babynoname22 · 07/04/2023 22:57

What aftercare did they offer? This is awful service if they just it doesn't look good and sent you on your way.

I agree with PP I think your dates could be off. At 6w you would be lucky to see heartbeat. At 7weeks you should be able to see it and 8w you really should be able to see.

I have had scans at 7w2d abs seen heart heart beat. 8w and seen heart beat. (Ivf pregnancy)

6 weeks could be just too early.

Hopefully your dates are off and everything is fine. They should have measured crown to rump length to give a date on what they could see.

Sounds like a really terrible clinic. I'm sorry.

Thank you for your reply.
They offered absolutely no aftercare at all other than "If you start bleeding, go to A&E immediately" which is rubbish. No mention of possibility of dates being out. I didn't even get to see the screen when she scanned me, just got emailed photos about half an hour later.
I was dubious about going and should have listened to my gut as it's been a horrible experience. I wish I had just waited now.
I'm having bloods done on Wednesday so I will keep an open mind for now.

OP posts:

Coffeellama · 08/04/2023 11:15

That’s terrible OP, they could have still told you how many weeks the sac was measuring. Most private ‘bonding’ clinics offer a free rescan a few weeks later if you’ve come too early.

tobeornottobe1 · 08/04/2023 11:17

@Missg2302 when you go for
Private scans at places like window to the womb and hey baby, they never give aftercare they always advise A&E or GP.
They are just sonographers not doctors and cannot advise on missed miscarriages etc. please see your local Early pregnancy unit which will be able to re scan you to see if the pregnancy is progressing. All the best x

Lolly95k · 08/04/2023 15:15

has anyone had this same experience?

I was supposed to be 7 weeks yesterday with my first baby. I had an early scan 2 weeks ago showing I was around 5 weeks and there was a gestational and yolk sac visible. I was advised to come for a follow up by the private clinic in 2 weeks ( which was yesterday ). The sonographer was very blunt and told me I had a missed miscarriage as there had been no change since my first scan 2 weeks prior, that she couldn’t see a baby and I was measuring 6 weeks and 3 days. Obviously I was devastated and didn’t bother looking at the paperwork straight away but when I got home I checked, only to find out my GA had actually grew 10mm and that a missed miscarriage was only suspected and that I needed a second opinion. My cycles have always been very irregular and I have no idea of when I conceived.

I haven’t had any signs of miscarriage at all, and I’ve heard allot of bad things about early scans.

i received a phone call later on that day from the hospital telling me they had been informed from the clinic I’d suffered a missed miscarriage and that they were very sorry. I explained my situation and that there had actually been GA growth and that I needed a second opinion, in which they seemed shocked and told me to treat the scan they booked me in for as a clean slate, giving me an extra week to see if anything has developed. My hospital scan is on Thursday coming ( 6 days following my last private scan ).

my head is a shed and I have no idea what to think or feel. Have any of you lovely lady’s experienced anything similar?

Coffeellama · 08/04/2023 15:22

Lolly95k · 08/04/2023 15:15

has anyone had this same experience?

I was supposed to be 7 weeks yesterday with my first baby. I had an early scan 2 weeks ago showing I was around 5 weeks and there was a gestational and yolk sac visible. I was advised to come for a follow up by the private clinic in 2 weeks ( which was yesterday ). The sonographer was very blunt and told me I had a missed miscarriage as there had been no change since my first scan 2 weeks prior, that she couldn’t see a baby and I was measuring 6 weeks and 3 days. Obviously I was devastated and didn’t bother looking at the paperwork straight away but when I got home I checked, only to find out my GA had actually grew 10mm and that a missed miscarriage was only suspected and that I needed a second opinion. My cycles have always been very irregular and I have no idea of when I conceived.

I haven’t had any signs of miscarriage at all, and I’ve heard allot of bad things about early scans.

i received a phone call later on that day from the hospital telling me they had been informed from the clinic I’d suffered a missed miscarriage and that they were very sorry. I explained my situation and that there had actually been GA growth and that I needed a second opinion, in which they seemed shocked and told me to treat the scan they booked me in for as a clean slate, giving me an extra week to see if anything has developed. My hospital scan is on Thursday coming ( 6 days following my last private scan ).

my head is a shed and I have no idea what to think or feel. Have any of you lovely lady’s experienced anything similar?

If they said there was no baby, they might have meant the sac measured 6 weeks but was empty (no fetal pole or baby). Sorry you’ve had a bad experience, I don’t think it sounds too hopeful, but hopefully the NHS scan will explain things better to you.

Lcb123 · 08/04/2023 15:29

I think see if you can speak to GP or midwife, and sorry you had this awful experience. This is why I’m personally very dubious of these private scan places, the person doing it has no medical training and they can’t offer proper answers or follow up

Fuctifin0 · 08/04/2023 15:36

These early scans seem to be anything but reassuring.
Can't believe people pay for them when the NHS offer them at a number of weeks where they can be meaningful.

I hope both posters on this thread gets better news when they go for their NHS scans.

Lolly95k · 08/04/2023 15:36

Lcb123 · 08/04/2023 15:29

I think see if you can speak to GP or midwife, and sorry you had this awful experience. This is why I’m personally very dubious of these private scan places, the person doing it has no medical training and they can’t offer proper answers or follow up

It’s so confusing, my notes say one thing and the sonographer said another, now the hospital have advised me to look at my next scan as a clean slate as there has been growth and I’ve had no miscarriage symptoms 🤯 I’m holding onto hope

TheShellBeach · 08/04/2023 16:05

"...............my head is a shed and I have no idea what to think or feel. Have any of you lovely lady’s experienced anything similar?

I have heard of countless cases where early scan places announce to women that their pregnancies are not progressing, actually................and then the women has another scan at an EPU, and there is a heartbeat and the baby is developing.

@Lolly95k I'm sorry you've had this experience. I hope very much that there has been a mistake and that there will be good news at your next scan.
I do think that a lot of these private scan companies should be shut down. They do not seem to offer much reassurance, from what I see on here, anyway.

Lolly95k · 08/04/2023 16:09

TheShellBeach · 08/04/2023 16:05

"...............my head is a shed and I have no idea what to think or feel. Have any of you lovely lady’s experienced anything similar?

I have heard of countless cases where early scan places announce to women that their pregnancies are not progressing, actually................and then the women has another scan at an EPU, and there is a heartbeat and the baby is developing.

@Lolly95k I'm sorry you've had this experience. I hope very much that there has been a mistake and that there will be good news at your next scan.
I do think that a lot of these private scan companies should be shut down. They do not seem to offer much reassurance, from what I see on here, anyway.

I hope this is the case for me to, I’m sure the EPU will confirm everything properly for me one way or another, but we are holding onto hope as we have had no bad signs just yet. Going for an early scan is the worse decision I’ve made, as I’ve heard how inexperienced the sonographers are, and can cause more stress than necessary… especially in early pregnancy