Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

early scans

22 replies

Upwind · 27/05/2008 18:33

Never thought I would go for an early scan, but I will have a big family get together when I will (hopefully) be nine weeks gone. I want to tell people then or before then. Not sure if I would have the guts to do that without a scan! A private scan would cost £55

Is there any risk to having early scans without good reason? Would I be better trying to get my GP to listen for a heartbeat?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

abbymeg · 27/05/2008 18:58

Your GP might not be able to locate a heartbeat that early on.

I had a scan at 7 weeks this time due to high risk - there was a very impressive blob, but with a definite heartbeat!

Many women have an early viability scan before 12 weeks (usually 8-9) if they've had problems in previous pgs.

They say if you see a heartbeat on a scan at 8 weeks, your chance of MC drops to 3%.

When I was pg with DD 10 years ago, you were advised to be careful with the number of scans that you had; but I had problems and needed 4. She's fine. I think they're much more relaxed about them now.

If you're really worried about side effects, maybe do an internet search as this should bring up any possible risks.

Most of all, best wishes and good luck

star6 · 27/05/2008 19:03

I went to the A&E because of bleeding early, early on and they booked me for the early pregnancy unit the next day and I had a scan at 7 weeks and saw the little bean and it's heart beating! Really reassuring.

lulumama · 27/05/2008 19:07

very , very doubtful GP would pick up a heartbeat at 9 weeks, especially when most MWs won;t try until 16 weeks

your uterus will still be quite low in the pelvis, which can make it very hard, aswell as the size of the baby too

i would shell out for the private scan

Original poster

Upwind · 27/05/2008 19:18

Thank you! That is very reassuring. I guess I will be shelling out for the scan so. Fingers crossed it will show a healthy bean.

I suppose I am just being a bit neurotic about it really - ultrasound is just sound after all!

OP posts:

spicemonster · 27/05/2008 19:26

I had 8 scans with my DS because of various complications and he's fine. Don't go for a heartbeat listening - I had a scare at 15 weeks and the A&E doctor couldn't find a heartbeat which was dreadful

Guitargirl · 27/05/2008 19:26

I had an early scan as I had bleeding at 8 weeks, just to emphasise what the others say, very reassuring. I don't know if all early scans are internal but just to let you know to be prepared for that - not that it's a problem or anything and, after all, the least of what's to come!!

Original poster

Upwind · 28/05/2008 08:44

I had a lot of investigations for infertility so unfortunately very familiar with internal scans!

Thanks again, will deffo go for the scan. I am bursting to tell people as it is, and really don't want to be trying to hide it at a big family reunion where everyone will ask and also check for signs.

OP posts:

belgo · 28/05/2008 08:49

I had a scan at 8 weeks during this pregnancy, and a heart beat, head and body were seen. I also felt pregnant. We started telling people from around 10 weeks of pregnancy.

I don't think you are supposed to listen for a heart beat before 12 weeks.

belgo · 28/05/2008 08:50

I forgot to say, I started telling friends at 10 weeks, but not dh's family, and I went to a family do when I was 11 weeks pregnant. My normal clothes were bursting at this point and I had one or two coments that I'd put on weight! In retrospect, we probably should have said something.

Original poster

Upwind · 28/05/2008 11:05

Thanks Belgo. I can't imagine being able to resist saying anything in a situation like that

OP posts:

stripeywoollenhat · 28/05/2008 11:47

i'm going to have an early scan tomorrow - last pregnancy was a mmc. i thought it would be reassuring but i am freaking out so much today that it kind of defeats the purpose... also, i'm 7+2 tomorrow, i assume that's not too early?

Pinkjenny · 28/05/2008 11:50

I had a scan at 7 weeks due to bleeding. Dd looked like a cashew nut, with a heartbeat. It was fab.

belgo · 28/05/2008 11:51

Stripey - I remember freaking out before my early scan because of past miscarriage. 7.2 weeks isn't too early, but it's always possible that you are a little less pregnant then you think.

Good luck for tomorrow.

mistlethrush · 28/05/2008 11:55

I had a scan at 6wks with ds - strong hb fantastic to see after previous history. At 9 wks no need for internal - picked up, jumping around by then. Mw found hb at 10wks...

LadyThompson · 28/05/2008 11:56

Had one at 7 weeks on the dot. It was a bit vague, looked like prawn, but did have a heartbeat. Scans this early are always vaginal because the equipment can't discern it abdominally at that age. It isn't painful, or even uncomfortable (just a bit cold!) so don't worry and good luck.

stripeywoollenhat · 28/05/2008 11:57

thank you belgo. i'm trying to think about other things but not doing too well....

stripeywoollenhat · 28/05/2008 12:04

thanks LadyThompson. i had an internal scan when i had the mmc - it was fine, not very pleasant but then nothing about that process was... i'll trade a little dignity for a prawn with a heartbeat like a shot...

mrsboogie · 28/05/2008 13:13

I had a private scan at 7.5 weeks. The scan couldn't pick up a hb at that point - I don't whether I was a few days less far gone that I thought or my tummy padding got in the way. The doctor thought he could maybe see a flicker on the internal scan but he couldn't be sure. I ended up having to wait a week for a scan on the nhs where it was picked up. I would recommend leaving it as late as possible - to 8 weeks if you can, to save yourself any anxiety - especally if you might be a couple of days less pg than you think.

oh and my SIL was given a scan every two weeks throughout her whole pregnancy (she lives in Dublin) because of previous miscarriages and her LO suffered no ill effects.

Original poster

Upwind · 29/05/2008 09:20

How'd you get on Stripey?

OP posts:

stripeywoollenhat · 29/05/2008 15:01

just back from scan - lo has heartbeat! and is exactly the right size for 7.2 weeks!
so all this sickness is not a virus, then.... hurrah!
thanks for asking, Upwind

belgo · 29/05/2008 15:31

that's great news stripey

Original poster

Upwind · 29/05/2008 16:14

that is great news!

OP posts:

Flip