early scan qn?

[Clayhugs]

hi all.

I’ve just completed ivf and am just over 5 weeks. I’ve a scan booked in with my clinic when I’ll be about 7 weeks, however I’d really like to get one at 6 weeks as I’ve previously had an ectopic miscarriage and am anxious to see if this one is in the right spot.

I’ve tried to book one for 6 weeks privately but it advises to leave a minimum of 1 week between scans and earliest I can get in is 6 days before my nhs scan.

Do you know if Is there a reason for a week gap? Is there a risk to the pregnancy?

thanks in advance. Xo

[Eggfreezer2015]

I know there’s a lot of anxiety there for you, I was advised to wait at least 6.5weeks to be sure that the heartbeat can be seen, or that could cause more worry… if you can wait it out for 7 wks that may be your best option. I know it will be hard but see how you feel when you weigh up the pros and cons. X

[Clayhugs in reply to Eggfreezer2015]

Thank you for replying. Yes it’s only an extra week but it’s definitely in the back of my mind that it could be an ectopic again so want to find that out as early as possible. Hopefully all is ok 🤞🤞🤞

[Eggfreezer2015 in reply to Clayhugs]

I totally understand, I was thinking if you don’t see the heartbeat as it’s too early and it’s not ectopic will that stress you out more? Is it then better to wait the 7wks and understand where you’re at in one go?

[Clayhugs in reply to Eggfreezer2015]

Yes it would definitely freak me out. I guess I’ll probably just wait and stay close incase I feel any signs of ectopic. Hopefully not though. Thank you for replying. ❤️❤️❤️

[Wishinandahopin]

no need to leave a gap- they just say that as sometimes there isn’t much of a change between week to week etc. I had one at 5+3 weeks (to rule out ectopic), 6+3 weeks (where we saw heartbeat) and 7+3 weeks- all at my ivf clinic. After that I left 2 weeks between scans but only due to financial reasons! Really helped for peace of mind!

[Clayhugs in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Thank you for this. That’s really good to know as I was wondering if it was maybe too much pressure on the cervix or something. Thank you xxx

[Tamaa]

Hi Clayhugs. You have got good responses to reassure you. Just to add, ultrasound (transvaginal or abdominal) does not harm pregnancy in any way. (I have been in Radiology). Good luck with your pregnancy!

[Clayhugs in reply to Tamaa]

Thank you for this. That is definitely reassuring! ❤️thank you for the good wishes too. Xx

[Espera]

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I’ve been in your position post ectopic and then falling pregnant through IVF. I understand the anxiety and fear of having another ectopic. My doctor didn’t want me to have an earlier scan either as they wanted to be sure of a strong heartbeat, so I waited it out a week… and it turned out fine. Trust yourself- you know the signs of an ectopic. Take it one day at a time and look after yourself! All the best xx

[Clayhugs in reply to Espera]

Thank you for taking the time to tell me this, it’s nice to be understood. I’m so glad it turned out fine for you! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Fruitandflowers]

Totally get it - after two early losses I started having early scans, and lots of them, as I just needed to know. First one was just over 5wks and saw a heartbeat (but that was a v early implanter and HCG was already very high) whereas this one they struggled to see much until 7wks and although that did cause me to worry, they could at least tell me there was something in the right place. I've also had frequent scans early on - at different places as even the private sonography place want to leave 2 weeks between scans. I couldn't find much evidence for why they ask you to leave a week or two and I suspect it's more to do with being able to have some comparable images to make a meaningful assessment from, bit compared to the risk of ectopic etc and my mental health, I just weighed it up and went ahead. But early I think you have to be very prepared to see almost nothing. You may want to combine the scans with HCG tests as they will also give you am idea of progress and viability. Or you could wait it out and trust your body, and chances are things will be absolutely fine, but that approach failed me personally too many times and if you've been through something as invasive as IVF and trauma like ectopic, you've alreday had so much medical intervention and monitoring that it can be difficult to suddenly trust to nature.

[Clayhugs in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Yes it’s very difficult to trust nature after so long of it not working. I’m glad it gave you some reassurance. Definitely helpful with managing the anxiety of it. Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope everything goes ok with this one for you. ❤️