Anxiety over Pregnancy Scans

[Sjht]

Seeking reassurance, I'm in the UK, around 5 weeks and 5/6 days into my second pregnancy following an emergency c-section last year. Despite being unplanned, this pregnancy is deeply wanted. Recently, I've had significant scar area pain and expanding numbness, prompting a visit to the EPAC (Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit) for a scan to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. During the scan, they found a gestation sac and yolk sac but no fetal pole, measuring the pregnancy at 5 weeks 4 days. They also discovered an ovarian cyst that might explain my pain, alongside an HCG level of around 11,000. However, my anxiety spiked after online readings suggesting the fetal pole should've been visible by now. Another scan is scheduled for next week. Could it still be too early to detect the fetal pole? This situation is causing immense distress instead of reassurance.

I had a scan around the same gestation and could only see the sac with nothing inside. My HCG was only about 750 at the time. I was rescanned 2 weeks later and saw baby with a heartbeat

best of luck for your next scan!

I had a scan at 6w1d and there was no fetal pole, but saw the sacs. My HCG was around 12000 and I was extremely anxious after reading stories online too. I went back a week later and there was a fetal pole and heartbeat, and I'll be 37 weeks on Tuesday.

Good luck x

Hi there,

I went to the early pregnancy unit as advised due to having some mild abdo pain/cramps and loose stools.

I was seen by gynaecology and their observations were normal but was advised to go to an early scan to rule out ectopic pregnancy.

I went to my early scan and they ruled out ectopic pregnancy and the lady doing the scan said ‘congratulations, you’re pregnant and it is within the womb. There is no fetal pole so likely you’re earlier than suspected’

I was relieved with this.

however, when one of the nurses took us through to discuss next steps, she was quite negative and said that yes I could be earlier than what they thought or on the other hand, it may be a failed pregnancy. I was distraught.

I do believe I was only 5 weeks 1 day when they did this scan, so I’ve to go back next week for a repeat scan to see if they can see the fetal pole. She then said as I should be 6 weeks next week, they are expecting to see fetal pole and heartbeat and if they don’t, this would be classed as failed pregnancy.

This doesn’t sit right with me as I’ve seen on here some peoples didn’t show until 7/8 weeks.

has anyone had a similar experience and can offer some information? Extremely anxious and panicked over here and dreading this upcoming week and scan.

thank you all x

I’ve had four pregnancies, three children, and my youngest child was born in October just gone, she’s four months old. I’ve got terrible anxiety when it comes to pregnancy and have always googled everything and scoured pregnancy forums to make sure I’m fully informed on everything that can go wrong (in a strange way of trying to soothe myself). I’ve read a lot of different pregnancy stories and in the early days of my pregnancy last year, there were a lot of women who were all totally different, some heard an heartbeat at 5 weeks, some couldn’t see anything till 7 weeks. Some had a sac but no fetal pole at 6 weeks, some did. The majority of those ladies went on to have healthy babies. I had my first scan at 7 weeks and baby was measuring almost a week behind, I was so worried the pregnancy wasn’t progressing, I couldn’t sleep and the worry never stopped for 9 months, it just kept moving on to different things as I progressed through the stages of pregnancy. But it all came good and I have a lovely little baby girl laying next to me right now as I type this, getting ready for her morning feed.

The best advice I can give is take one day at a time, distract yourself with things that make you feel good, don’t be too hard on yourself and never compare your pregnancy to others. Each one is so difference and I caused myself so much stress and anxiety comparing 💕

Hi,

I know this is an old old post but I am in exactly your position today? You’ve written everything like I’d write it myself. Can I ask if everything was ok?
kind regards x

Hi there! Yes I’m 11 weeks now and have had 2 scans since, one follow up in EPU and then one private and baby is growing nicely. Sickness is very much been here from week 7 and is still continuing. I have my 12 weeks scan on 23rd.

I know it’s easier said that done, but please try not to panic. I’m annoyed at myself that I got so worked up for nothing!

of course it’s scary however you know your own body and if you feel you’re earlier than they predicted that is very much likely the case.

I am sending you all the best baby luck and pray for you that everything is the same for you (minus the sickness). X

Hi,

I really appreciate your kind words. I know I’ve never met you but your reply has made me take a breath & added a little bit of hope to my equation. I totally understand that I could have lost this baby & I know many people go through this everyday and it’s just a very sad fact of life. It’s just nice to know I’m not alone. Safety in numbers .
I’m beyond thrilled for you and your baby . I wish you nothing but health and happiness xx

exactly, and no amount of worrying is going to prevent anything from happening however I truly believe that they just have to say these things to cover their own backs and our bodies are amazing things. SO much can change in a week. We saw nothing and a week later we could see the shape of our baby’s body. It’s just crazy. Sending you lots of well wishes and hoping for the best outcome for you x

Hi,

small update. Had a scan again this morning (internal- it’s a man’s world) and I had something in the sac. Small but something is there. Going back Friday to see if we can hear a heart beat. Thank you so much for your positive vibes, if you could send them again for Friday I’d be very much appreciative!! Xx

Very happy for you!!! That was the same as ours then they saw strong heartbeat on the next so sending all the love and positive vibes ❤️ I have good feelings and vibes for you!!

Thanks for sharing your experience. And I am so happy for you.

Based on the 'normal' calculation, I am 6 weeks and 5 days now but I know I am not that far as I just got my first postive last Thursday.

I booked an early scan this week to rule out ectopic pregnancy. I was super worried but feel more calm after reading your experience.

I’m 6 weeks today so we can be birthing buddies when the time comes haha!!

I wish you the best, keep us updated! If you’ve any questions or anxieties just ask. A problem shared is a problem halved for sure!

Just an FYI, they found a little heartbeat at the scan this morning. Measuring small but there is something there. My nausea and inability to keep water down is an issue now that hit me yesterday. Omg it’s horrific but I’m smiling through it haha

I’m so pleased for you!! Progress is progress.
I feel you, I’ve had hyperemesis gravidarium the past 7 weeks and it’s been helll. I had to try 3 anti sickness meds before it started to help.
Todays the first day I’ve not been sick yet so far and it’s 1.20pm so it’s strange because one part of me is glad that I’ve not been sick, but the other anxious part of me goes ‘what if it’s a bad thing that symptoms have reduced?!’ We can’t be easy on ourselves can we 😂

I’m hoping the reduction in symptoms it’s just because I’ve hit the 12 week mark today and its calming down so anxiously waiting for my scan on Tuesday xx

So glad you managed to see the heartbeat, hoping you can relax and take care of yourself day by day!!

I just had a scan today. They found a sac but in the lower part of uterus. They referred me to the Early Pregnancy Unit. Hope everything turns out okay 🙏