Early pregnancy scan?

[Makeitmakesenses]

After a miscarriage late last year, I have just found out that I’m pregnant again! I am only around 5 weeks at the moment.

I am understandably incredibly anxious and conscious that I will not have my first scan through the NHS until around 12 weeks. To hopefully settle any nerves I would like to pay privately for an early scan.

When would you recommended that I have this? I don’t want to go too early, for there to be no heartbeat which will only make me more anxious

thanks

@Makeitmakesenses I went when I thought I was 7+6 (I was told closer to 8 weeks was better) but I was actually only measuring 7+2. We got to see and hear a clear heartbeat and watch some wiggles. I would say definitely wait until after 7 weeks, maybe wait until 8 weeks if you can hold off. If you see a heartbeat after 8 weeks, it usually means the miscarriage risk drops massively.

generally they say absolute minimum of 6 weeks and preferably closer to 7 weeks for the greater chance of being able to see something

I would not go until 8 weeks, so ideally between 8 and 9 weeks. I have come to realise that 8 weeks is quite the milestone in terms of early miscarriage and once you go past that, it's a big step in the right direction.

Many hospitals have early pregnancy facilities particularly in the context of a previous miscarriage. I echo what others said though that the advice is generally 6 weeks - any earlier and it’s often inconclusive which won’t give you peace of mind.

As other have said 8 weeks is a very significant marker.

I'd say wait til 8 weeks as they'd definitely be a heartbeat by then. Most private places say 7 weeks anyway.

8 weeks. I can’t remember the exact statistic but if by 8 weeks your baby has a heartbeat you are more likely to have a continuing pregnancy. Most miscarriages happen before the 8th week, so if you’re wanting a scan for reassurance, going at the 8 week mark would provide more of that.

I had a very bad experience with an early scan. I had to have an internal scan because they couldn’t see the baby with an abdominal one. They told me the baby was measuring far behind the dates I’d worked out using my last period and they couldn’t see a heartbeat. I had an agonising two week wait before they’d see me again. The next scan showed a perfectly healthy baby, measuring bang on the gestation they should be based on my last period. That early scan caused so much unnecessary stress and worry.

The sonographer actually explained to me that they’re campaigning to have the charts they use for measurements and estimating babies gestation changed. They are actually decades old! And in that time scanning facilities have improved. The accuracy of the scans is actually hindered by the old measurement/gestation guidelines. She told me babies scanned very early often measure at an unexpected gestation and when measured later are closer to what Mum was expecting based on her LMP and cycle lengths.

@Makeitmakesenses I went for a scan at 6+4 and measured 6+1 and loved it - very reassuring and cute little heartbeat, plus confirmation that it's just 1 and baby was in the right place... but as others have said, 8 weeks seems to be a big marker for miscarriage or a healthy pregnancy... I'm pregnant with my second now and debating if I go in and have a scan or wait. Don't feel pregnant at all and the days are dragging.... tough call OP. If you are not bothered by paying for 2 private scans, do one now and then another before to the 12 weeks mark.

Thanks everyone. I phoned the clinic and they also suggested around 7 and a half weeks as, even though they scan from 6 weeks, 7 and a half weeks would cover me in case I’m actually 1 week behind.

These few weeks will be tough!

We had 1 at 6+3 and then another at 8+3 this was due to having a previous empty sack pregnancy and it being IVF so just wanted to check there was something there. The second scan was also offered half price so we took it for reassurance as knew that after 8 weeks the miscarriage risk is lower. You definitely see a lot more at 8 weeks so if you are only having 1 early scan I'd suggest waiting if you can. I would say its definitely worth doing though it doesn't take the anxiety away but just having that reassurance makes a huge difference. Also if the worst does happen you aren't waiting until the 12 week scan or for bleeding/pain to know.