Early scan - have I done the right thing?

[Diege]

I'm 5 weeks pregnant after a mmc in July (10 weeks, foetus died at 7). I have had 3 previous normal pregnancies with 3 healthy dds. Had a GP appointment this week to get in the system and request an early scan (about 8 weeks)(Monday). Have just had a call from receptionist at EPU asking me to come in this week for a scan. OK, my gut instinct is no!!! A 5 week scan wouldn't tell me much and I'd ideally like one when it's possible to see heartbeat. I told this to recepetionist who will speak to the nurse and get back to me. Have I done the right thing? Is it better to forego a 5 week scan and hold out for a later one? All the signs are good with this pregnancy, and I am a compulsive worrier...

I sounds like a wise decision to me.

Diege i had no idea you had a mmc in July, i am so sorry.

I think you have done the right thing, you will see so little on the screen at 5 weeks, if at all.

If you can then wait. Very sensible of you although the urge to rush to the sonographer must be overwhelming.

I had an early scan at 6wks and the heartbeat was very easy to see - although it was on the special high powered scanner rather than the 'normal' one. However, at 5wks probably a bit soon?

Hmmm...I think your instincts are right.

If you have a scan before 6wks you are unlikely to see a heartbeat....so you are unlikely to know for sure if it is a viable pg or not.

TBH I am surprised that you got an early scan so easily after 'just' 1 mmc; and without any indication that there is a problem....so from that POV you may be foolish to turn it down IYSWIM.

I guess you have to ask youself how you would react if this scan says that the foetus appears normal for this stage...but can't see a hb. Would that make you any more relaxed than if you didn't have it? I guess not. In which case the scan is of little value. OTOH if they don't see a hb they may automatically invite you back in 2 weeks to check for ahb...you are already in teh system. If you reject this appoinment you will let someone who really needs it get it...but then you may have to wait until teh standard 12wk (unless there are medical problems).

Tough one...

They arent going to see much on a 5 week scan. I had one at 7 weeks and you could see the heartbeat. Good luck x

I think you have done the right thing. What do they think a 5 week scan will show? I would wait for the heartbeat as well!

Thanks, these are all the things that I am thinking. As DRACULA says, I am extremely surprised that the NHS are acting so quickly - it's only been three days since I told GP I was pregnant! I am a classic conflict-avoider, but at the same time don't want to bury my head in the sand if there are problems. This pregnancy feels like the other healthy ones though (sickness started this week) whereas with mmc no symptoms. If I had bleeding etc I would be down there now, but for me uncertainty is unbearable and I find it hard to function with inconclusive results hanging over me.
Hi LGT , and thank you. I wads lucky enough to conceive again pretty quickly, so fingers crossed with this one.

A very wise move Diege, stick with the decision i am sure this one will be fine.

Will keep an eye out for you now, rest lots (as much as you can with 3) and think positively

Have just had a call back from nurse. She's happy to book me in for a fortnight's time. I'll be 7 weeks and 3 days then so presume a heartbeat will be seen then? (or would another week on have been better??? See what I mean about worrying??!!) Glad I held out though .

7 weeks will be fine well done you.

hiya diege

I had an early scan last week as midwife thought I was 7 weeks pg. At the scan it should only an empty sac measuring at 4-5 weeks. went through 2 blood tests to confirm that pg hadn't ended and another scan yesterday showing I was in fact only 5-6 weeks and yolk sac has now developed.

I worry I had all last week thinking I had miscarried it felt terrible and because of that I would recommend that you do not have an early scan at 5 weeks as you may upset yourself for no reason if you dont see much (I know I did)

I hope this makes sense!

Laura x

I think you're right. I had a scan at 5 weeks after an MMC and there was some doubt as to the foetus's viability then so had to go back for a further one at 7 weeks. That showed a heartbeat and so the risks of miscarrying go way down. He's now 19m

Thanks LG&T! I did have to put on my super-assertive voice but the thought of going down there today filled me with dread!
FLYNN that makes perfect sense. What a rollarcoaster you've been one. Here's to an uneventful 9 months for you now xx

I agree with Flynn1984 as the same happened to me and I was in for a suspected ectopic for three days - nightmare.

I'd go later on when they can see the development and measure it - poor growth in the first 12 weeks is a better sign that someone might miscarry than anything else apparently.