Scan at 5 weeks - what to expect?

[tinseltits21]

Hi all, I have a scan at the EPU tomorrow at exactly 5 weeks. What can I expect at this stage? Cb weeks test is showing 2-3 weeks today so hcg might not be high enough to see anything? My partner is taking time off to support me but I don’t want him to do that if there will be nothing to he seen.

I wouldn’t expect much at 5 weeks. You should be able to see a gestational sac, possibly the yolk sac & fetal pole but those are less likely, and too early to see a heartbeat.

Good luck!

@tinseltits21 I wouldn't expect you to be able to see very much at all at 5 weeks, perhaps a foetal pole. Is there a specific reason that you want such an early scan? All the guidance I've seen is to wait until 8 weeks as it's far more likely to be conclusive. Wishing you good luck though :).

You should see the sac.
Very unlikely to see a heartbeat at this stage.
CB digital saying 2 - 3 weeks is right for 5 weeks.
Is the scan to check the location of the pregnancy?

As PPs have said, all it can really do is check for the location of the pregnancy- but that of course is reassuring stuff if you’ve had an ectopic in the past.

@Mrsttcno1thank you! Do you think it is likely to be seen at 5 weeks and 0 days?

@Fletchasketchit’s to check everything is in the right place so far. Thank you

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOnethank you. Would I see the sac at 5 weeks and 0 days? It is to check the location of the pregnancy. Chat gpt says my hcg might not be high enough to see a sac if clearblue is saying 2-3 weeks but ChatGPT can be inaccurate so I wanted to check

@curliegirliedo you think it will be possible to see anything at all at 5 weeks 0 days?

I think it will be possible to check the location, yes.
Good luck!

hopefully they can check the location (otherwise they wouldnt bother!) but I think its too early to be sure that everything looks viable. Heartbeat unlikely I think but not impossible. So best be prepared for it not to be definitive.

at 8 weeks it should be possible to see a clear heartbeat .

best of luck

There is no guarantee they will be able to absolutely confirm the pregnancy location at a 5 week scan it could go either way really

Just to add. They couldn't see anything for 5 weeks with me. I was actually told by lining was too thin and should expect to start bleeding over the next few days. This was awful and incorrect. I'm so glad my partner was there as I was so upset despite it being so early as I was initially going to go on my own. Might be worth thinking about if you would want news like that on your own.

My HCG was high enough they should have seen something so I was invited back a few days later at 5+5 where they could then see the sac and then two weeks later they could see the embryo and heartbeat.

They might see something they might not, hopefully they might be able to confirm pregnancy location so you don't have to worry about that but it's normal if they can't at this stage. Good luck!

This was also my friend’s experience. Had a scan at 5+3 and told no baby there, nothing to see, went home expecting bleeding to start. She is now 28 weeks pregnant, it was just too early!

@LoveaCaramelLatteomg I’m so sorry you had this experience. Thank you for sharing

@Mrsttcno1i wonder why they do these scans then - seems more hassle than they are worth. I am already majorly anxious as it is!

My EPU refuses to scan before 6 weeks for that reason. Unless they suspect an ectopic.

It's very early, do you have to go for the scan just now? It might cause more anxiety than it solves...

You'd be much better off at about 7 weeks. Good luck!

@TokyoSushii don’t know…I guess so as they have made me an appointment? I feel so stressed and don’t know whether I should get my partner to come - I don’t want it to be a waste of time

Is the appointment because you have an issue? If there was no perceived issue, I’d delay.

(I have been for scans as 5/6/7/10 & 12 weeks in previous pregnancies! EPU veteran!)

@TokyoSushii think I am considered high risk. Did you see anything at 5 weeks?

I know our EPU doesn’t scan until 6 weeks for that reason, it can just cause more anxiety!

@Mrsttcno1it’s ridiculous! Just called to ask and they said ‘you might but you might not see anything’. Seems like a waste of time

No, at 5 weeks there was a bit of a pole and it was all very vague and an attitude of ‘well, it might work out, it might not -sadly it didn’t)

With DS I had continual bleeding and had a first EPU scan at about 6+6 (nearly 15 years ago) and there was a teeny tiny flashing light which was his heartbeat.

At 5 weeks it’ll all be very vague and send you into a spin, that’s why I’d suggest waiting longer unless you have reason to suspect something is amiss/ectopic etc and then of course obviously go!

I had a 5 week scan to check placement before they would give me progesterone. They could see sac and fetal pole but no heartbeat yet. They said it was a normal 5 week scan. I was probably around 5w+4 going on LMP date. I guess it really depends.

@tinseltits21 - sending hugs - it’s a scary time. If this scan has been recommended / requested then as long as you’re aware that you may not be able to see anything and prepare yourself for possible uncertainty I’m sure it will be fine. If you genuinely are feeling v anxious about it you could always ask your healthcare practitioner if the scan really is necessary to do at 5 weeks and if it would change any of their management ? If not a joint decision could be made to delay until 6 / 7 weeks when it will much more clearer and there will be less uncertainty

@TokyoSushithank you for sharing your experience, I also think it will send me into a spin. I think they may do serial blood tests though and it would be good to have those done.

@WildFinch yes I think at 5+4 I would be much more likely to see something as development over the days happens so quickly but at 5+0 there may well be nothing. I’d be happy just to see the sac is in the right place but it seems that may be unlikely.

@Theboymolefoxandhorsethanks so much, I need those hugs! I called today to discuss whether the scan is actually needed but the receptionist said someone will get back to me within 24 hours. As the scan is first thing tomorrow morning it may be too late by the time they call back!

update: they saw a gestation sac and yolk sac and I’m measuring 5w5d which I don’t really understand because I tracked ovulation but am relieved they saw something!

Oh that's such good news!
I'm really happy to see this update.