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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Having scan at 7 weeks - what to expect?

20 replies

miamix · 27/05/2010 15:56

I've just been told I am booked in for a scan next Friday - according to my calculations I will be exactly 7 weeks.

The midwife told me it would be an external scan.

If the pregnancy is normal (ie, not ectopic), would I expect to see a heartbeat? Or is this only identifiable via internet scanning?

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mumatron · 27/05/2010 16:26

mia i have had 2 scans at 6+ weeks and seen a hb both times. one was internal and the other external.

i would not be suprised if they do not see a hb though. i think it depends on the skill of the sonographer, the equipment used etc. and also the way the way the baby is positioned can have an effect on what is seen i think.

why are you having a scan so early?, if you dont mind me asking

DuelingFanjo · 27/05/2010 16:28

I saw a heartbeat at 7 weeks, with an internal scan.

Jacksmybaby · 27/05/2010 16:38

I saw a blob on the screen and there was a heartbeat - that was at 6.5 weeks but with a vaginal scan.

MrsSenior · 27/05/2010 16:41

I would expect you to need an internal scan. Depending on the equipment, how full your bladder is but mostly errrm, your bmi, they are unlikely to see much at 7 weeks, even on someone very slim to be absolutely sure I would expect them to do an internal. And if they can't see a heart beat through your tummy they would def do an internal scan. Plus you might find that you are 7 weeks by your calcs but measure less in reality (due to long cycle etc etc). And even a few days makes a big difference in development at this stage.

Presuming everything is ok and you actually are 7 weeks then they should see a heart beat, though bear in mind that if they don't it could be becasue you are measuring earlier than 7 weeks and they may bring you back in a week or so to rescan (they will explain all this).

By the way, an internal scan in nothing to be worried about. They should use some lubricant and a cover for the probe and it is only the end that is inserted... no speculum like a smear or anything. Shouldn't hurt. And you should be kept all covered up once the probe is in place.

Sorry, hope none of this sounds too patronising, just trying to be helpful, anything else you'd like to know jsut ask. I presume your scn is at an EPAU?
Good luck x

nunnie · 27/05/2010 16:41

I had a vaginal scan, saw heartbeat, but was told not to panic if I didn't. Also got given a pic, very odd looking with a tail etc, but very cute too.

goodlifemummy · 27/05/2010 16:49

I had a scan at 6+3 and saw my little lentil with heart beating away on a regular scan. Didn't get a picture though, too busy being relieved that I'm not having twins again!! They also measured it at 6+5. Hope all goes well x

nunnie · 27/05/2010 16:51

I was suprised by the pic too, was handed to me when I was just about to leave, never charged me for it, not sure if it was printed by mistake really. Definatly wasn't expecting one.

DuelingFanjo · 27/05/2010 17:27

I had a picture at 7 and 9 weeks but was scanned at the IVF unit so maybe they do thinks differently.

ClaireDeLoon · 27/05/2010 17:31

I got a pic when I was scanned at 8+4 and tbh it really just does look like a bean shaped blob. She pointed out which end was the head, which was just as well really. Also neither DP nor I could see the hb when she pointed it out on screen although she reassured us it was there. That was an internal scan she could see it from the abdominal but my bladder wasn't full enough to see it clearly.

japhrimel · 27/05/2010 17:57

I had a scan at 8+3 going by my LMP, but I was only 7+5 at their best estimate and I was told an internal would've been better. Saw the heartbeat, but it was quite fuzzy.

Are you going to be 7 weeks by your LMP? Do you think that's accurate? If you could be less, you might not see much other than checking it's in the right place.

barkfox · 27/05/2010 17:59

I had scans at 6 and 8 weeks, and saw a heartbeat both times, but they were internal scans. I thought as a general rule that under 10 weeks, they prefer to do internal scans just because they are clearer. Maybe it varies from place to place...

A friend of mine had a scan at 8 weeks, and they tried an external one first, but couldn't see as much as they wanted so then did an internal one. So just as per other posters, I wouldn't be surprised if they preferred to do an internal scan at 7 weeks (obv you don't have to have anything at all you don't want).

LadyintheRadiator · 27/05/2010 18:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Poohbearsmom · 27/05/2010 18:11

Hi, i had an internal scan at 6 wks and saw hb and got a little picture but i paid for the scan at a private hosp (had prev mc and had spotting and was v.stressed but public hosp was too booked up...) so mayb thats why? Best of luck

Original poster

miamix · 27/05/2010 19:39

mumatron - having scan early because I was diagnosed with PID after a bad episode in March, I am pregnant two months later so it's really just to check the pregnancy is in the right place. I have had to chase for it though.

MrsSenior - not patronising at all, thanks for your advice! I was surprised that it is an external scan rather than vaginal but it is only really to check pregnancy isn't ectopic so I guess they're looking for that as opposed to the heartbeat etc. But I must admit it would be a bonus. It is being done at the EPAU, yes

japhrimel - yep by LMP, it is accurate in so far as my calculations are, however I wouldn't be surprised if it was out a bit, just because of the PID messing with my hormones, as well as being on the pill when I fell pregnant... not sure how much that will affect it?!?!

LadyintheRadiator - yeah I am surprised it's not a vaginal scan. I just hope they can tell if it's in the right place. That's my main worry at this stage. But obviously if the pregnancy is normal I would like to see as much as possible so if it wouldn't be cheeky maybe I could ask for a vaginal scan to try and detect heartbeat, if it's feasible, and my dates aren't out?!

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your replies. It's my first pregnancy and I have no idea what to expect. Just hoping for everything to be ok right now... x

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Original poster

miamix · 27/05/2010 19:40

LOL I just realised in my first post I typed "internet scanning" instead of "internal scanning"... doh! I blame the hormones making me loopy!

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LadyintheRadiator · 27/05/2010 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

miamix · 27/05/2010 20:30

I don't mind discomfort, I'm sure birth will be worse (God willing)! ;)

Thanks, really really impatient, wish it was tomorrow!

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xMrsSx · 27/05/2010 20:42

miamix I don't think a sonographer would confirm a non-ectopic pregnancy without also confirming that it was viable i.e. seeing a heartbeat. So I am pretty sure they would check this as well, and if they don't or dont point it out to you then ask before they finish scanning you. But I honestly can't think of a reason they wouldnt check this too unless like I said you are just too early to see it in which case they would bring you back anyway. And I don't think this would vary between hospitals.

All the best of luck - let us know how it goes!!

PS Internet scanning sounds much more fun than internal scanning!!

Original poster

miamix · 27/05/2010 20:51

Internet scanning - certainly sounds easier doesn't it!

Yeah you're right, it would be daft not to confirm viability at the same time.

I will keep you updated! Next Friday feels like years away right now though!

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lilmamma · 29/05/2010 20:16

my daughter had a scan at 7 weeks it was internal and we saw the heartbeat,but no much else as the nurse said the baby was in a sac,she had another at 9 weeks,this was external and saw the heartbeat but not as clear as the internal one,good luck x

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