Scan at 5/6 weeks?

[OptimisticRealist2024]

Spent last night in Gynae ward to get some answers about the cramps I've been having. No spotting/bleeding, they took some bloods and did a speculum test. Cervix is lovely and closed so they've told me they'll be in touch to book a scan for early next week. Feeling remarkably positive, I think because there's no blood and I can still manage with paracetamol.

Just wondered what we'd expect to see this early on? Heartbeat? Extremely tiny dot in a sea of black? I'm only about 5/6 weeks. My MMC scan was at 9 weeks and I couldn't bear to look at the screen....

With it being so early I would go into the scan not expecting to see a heartbeat, then if you do it's a nice surprise. I had a scan at 6w on the dot and there was nothing to see except a gestational sac and yolk sac, but nobody seemed concerned and I was told it was just too early. A few women on these boards do see a baby and a heartbeat at 6 weeks but many don't until they're at 7+.

You need to go with very low expectations at this early stage.

What you should see is hopefully a gestational sac in the correct location, that may be it.

If lucky, you might see a yolk sac and maybe even a fetal pole, if extremely lucky, you might see an embryo and heartbeat.

More likely than not though it will just be the empty sac and you'll have to go back in a couple of weeks to see if the pregnancy has progressed.

Thanks! Had a call today to say they can see me this afternoon so a bit apprehensive now. I think they just want to rule out ectopic (my #1 fear...after twins 😬) so not hoping for anything really but nice to be prepared.

As per others, go in with low expectations and knowing that most miscarriages occur between 6-8 weeks so seeing a heartbeat at this point can be false reassurance. Personally unless there is a need for the scan I wouldn't have one until 8 weeks+ as you can take more reassurance from things looking good at this point. Best of luck.

Thanks! They want to check me out to make sure it's in the right place, I think, but mentally shifted to a place where I probably won't believe everything is fine until I'm holding a baby in my arms. Miscarrying made me so cynical!

It's so hard isn't it. I've been there. Wishing you well with this pregnancy.

Thanks all for lovely messages! Scan went okay (not ectopic, heartbeat, not twins!). Know it's a long way still to go but just relieved it isn't bad news. 6+3 😊

Great news OP! 🥰

I have seen a heartbeat with my current at 5+4 however didnt see one until 6+3 with my first! I think the average is 6+ for heartbeat x

EDIT- Sorry OP just seen your update after posting!! So happy it was a good scan xx