Thoughts on 6 weeks scans

[VioIetMoon]

Ive had 6 pregnancies but only 1 living child. Im currently awaiting to see the recurrent clinic but the midwife advised me this could be quite a while. In the meantime , she's offered me an early scan now at 6 weeks. Im debating going ahead or not.
Ill be 6+2 at the most and im concerned the test may give me more anxiety than it will do good as its too early for a heartbeat? In all my other miscarriages , I knew things weren't progressing and this was a key flag for me. This pregnancy 🤞 my hcg seems like its actually increasing , tests have progressed and clearblue has finally increased to the 3+ , something my failed pregnancies didnt. Im hoping this is a good sign.
My concern is that 6 weeks is still early to see the heartbeat. Given how many loses ive had, I do worry the effect on my mental health should a heartbeat not be detected on the scan this early. While id rather not have the scan, epu advised me i might need progesterone but they won't give it until they see a viable pregnancy. I was on progesterone with my successful pregnancy as it was ivf and I do believe that played a part. Ive had progesterone testing done twice and both times they came back in the grey area so I think low progesterone may be an issue for me. Ive been seeing a natural fertility therapist and she also believes my cycle and luteal symptoms do match that of low progesterone. GP absolutely refuses to prescribe it.
If I dont attend i won't receive progesterone .I had a awful past experience with epuand im hesitant going back, although I will be attending a different epu this time which annoyingly is further away . I felt traumatised with the lack of compassion from staff during my first miscarriage and did not attend again. i had to parade through reception area in nothing but a blanket around my lower half to provide diginity after I needed to be moved rooms as nobody could work the ultrasound machine, not to mention a staff member entered and mentioned the wand they were about to use on me hadn't been cleaned down since the last time it was used. Staff were talking amongst themselves giggling meanwhile I was behind a curtain dressing after being told my baby had no heartbeat.
It felt extremely unprofessional and im in no rush to hurry back to epu.
I had a small amount of progesterone left that was still in date that I started taking a week ago but I only had a weeks worth . It could he why my pregnancy is progressing more normally this time.
Ive also read alot of women are hesistant against early scans as they believe the young tissue of the baby is sensitive to the heat produced by the sound waves and that it increases the risk of loss. I know current medical advice says otherwise.
Whats your thoughts? I suppose i am an over thinker.
Thankyou for having the patience to read all this

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I can totally understand why you're torn. I think you have to decide what matters more to you - the accessing of progesterone and therefore attending the scan, or the potential upset of not seeing a heartbeat.

I think I'd have to go for the scan if it was the only way to get the medication I needed - although it's a real shame you can't access it any other way. Is there a midwife you could talk to and explain why you want to get the progesterone without the scan?

If you do go for the scan, I think you will have to be very frank with yourself that seeing a heartbeat is very unlikely and that it is not an indication of a problem.

As cold as it sounds, if there is a problem - having the scan or not won't change that. Whereas not having the progesterone may have an effect on the outcome.

Wishing you all the luck in the world!

I was going to say the same as PP. Having a scan or not doesn't change anything, but if that's what they need to give you progesterone, then it's worth doing it. As that could help keep the pregnancy going. I think you have to be prepared that there may not be a heartbeat purely as it's too early.

"ve also read alot of women are hesistant against early scans as they believe the young tissue of the baby is sensitive to the heat produced by the sound waves and that it increases the risk of loss"
I've never heard this. I know friends who've had weekly scans in the early months (privately) and babies have been fine.

Hi I was in a similar situation.

I’ve had 3 miscarriages and was told that I would be able to get progesterone but only if I was bleeding. I had one day of bleeding and called epu. They got me in for a scan and I saw a heartbeat. They said I was measuring just under 6 weeks. By my dates I would have been 6+1.

I got prescribed progesterone but they also said that it’s only prescribed after they have done the scan to rule out ectopic.

agree with @MyLuckyHelper it won’t change the outcome.

Agree with pps - definitely go for the scan and get the progesterone! If they can’t see anything they’ll rebook you. Though I’ve also suffered from recurrent mcs and I’ve always seen a heartbeat at 6 weeks if the pregnancy is going to work out.

So sorry for your previous losses. I had a miscarriage over the summer and always wondered if it was related to low progesterone. When I got pregnant again I really wanted to start progesterone supplements as I’d heard so many success stories from other women but like you I was a little hesitant to have a scan so early, particularly a transvaginal scan. I’d had so many after my miscarriage as I had retained tissue that took a month to pass and it was all just a bit traumatic to be back in the EPU so soon again. Thankfully I had the loveliest midwife during my loss who I saw when I got pregnant again and was a little over 6 weeks. She agreed to try an abdominal scan first which I felt alot more comfortable with and while we couldn’t see as clearly as we would have with a TV scan she was still able to see the heartbeat and prescribed the progesterone. Maybe worth asking if that’s an option? Best of luck and hope all goes well for you.

Can your GP not prescribe progesterone based on NICE guidelines?

After 3 miscarriages I was referred to EPU for later pregnancies. Had a scan at 6 weeks and it was measuring lower than this but had a heart beat, and was then able to be prescribed progesterone is now a healthy 2 year old.
pregnant again (10 weeks) and again had a scan with EPU at 6 weeks, measuring 2 days behind my dates this time and could then be prescribed progesterone.

had to be referred to EPU as it needs to be the consultant who prescribes progesterone, the GP couldn’t do this.

id definitely say it’s worth it, with one miscarriage we had an early private scan at 7 weeks and it was awful. Measuring 2 weeks behind but with a heartbeat they just ruled out any issues but I knew, very dismissive and just kept saying congratulations but it isn’t what I needed to hear. Feel if this had been in an nhs setting it would have been totally different experience.

all scans are scary for me, and having been in both scenarios good and bad, they don’t get easier but when you do have it and it is good news the relief is huge, and if it’s bad news, you’re in the right place for all the help and support without having to start contacting doctors and explaining to different people what has happened. Xx

@Peonies12That's reassuring to hear.
I think from my research, what they are referring to is there is some evidence suggesting that frequent or unnecessary ultrasound exposure during early pregnancy could have potential risks but that the risk is low when used appropriately .
Current medical advice is they are safe when medically indicated .
Im just not feeling comfortable that a 6 week scan is medically justified in my situation. Ive absolutely no reason to suspect i need a scan but its just extremely frustrating how they make it so difficult to get progesterone

@Mulledjuice No GP said they cant prescribe it unless EPU send them an electronic letter that they authorise the use of progesterone for X amount of weeks .
The gp has sent a referral to the recurrent miscarriage clinic but thats about all she's willing to do

Ultrasound is very safe. For it to have any more than negligible heating effect they’d have to have one of those 4D scanners and hold it in place a long time and even then it’s debatable, plus they will not do that. The heating is the only danger and it is such a tiny tiny risk.

If the scan is the only way to get treatment then I think you should just do it as that’s what might have a material outcome on your pregnancy.

It’s understandable you’re nervous. I was going to say wait to 7 weeks then it’s more likely to have a heartbeat but if that means delaying treatment, I’d get it asap.

I have had viability scans at 6 weeks and each time seen a heart beat. If you are sure on your dates I would go for it.

It’s completely understandable to be nervous about it, but if it means being able to access the progesterone then I wouldn’t hesitate. Ultrasound scans are also incredibly safe, and this won’t be a risk to your pregnancy so please don’t let this misinformation dissuade you.

I too have also suffered recurring miscarriage, and I know the worry of attending a scan. But it this would be the only way to access the progesterone, I would highly recommend you go. The scan won’t have any impact on the outcome of your pregnancy, but not being able to access the medication definitely could. The pros far out way the cons of attending. From your history, it does sound like you will need the progesterone.

I had a six week scan in my last pregnancy, and I was so nervous about it. However, the scan provided me with reassurance, and I found it helped me to relax a bit once I’d had it. I was also prescribed progesterone and this pregnancy had a happy outcome. I don’t believe my baby would be here without it.

Good luck and best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy :)