What to expect from 6 week scan?

[Meg86]

Morning,

I have my early scan next week & was wondering what to expect. I know it's internal - I've got used to those with having severe pco and a year of fertility treatment. So I'm not concerned about that. I was just wondering what they look for & can show you? Can the predict a due date from it? Or does that come from the 12 week scan?

Also, after the scan will I be able to talk to someone & ask questions? I have been writing a really long list.

Any advice or experience sharing would be very much appreciated



Mx

 

[Muffinski]

Great timing Meg. I also have my 6 week scan next week and have been wondering the same.

From what I understand they will try to confirm a heartbeat, but it may be too early and we may have to go back in a couple of weeks for another early scan if that's the case.

That's pretty much all I know though!

 

[Melly41]

Hi ladies, had mine last saturday. I only needed ultrasound as could detect heartbeat from that. They show you baby and the yolk sac. They measure from crown to rump and they gave me an EDD based on the measurements. The EDD could well change at 12 week scan. They detect if pregnancy is currently viable and if there is multiple foetus. It might vary from area to area but should provide you with most of the above. Usually only perform internal if too early to show on scan. Good luck hope they go well.

 

[Meg86]

Brilliant! Thanks Melly that's helpful. Do you know if I'll have an opportunity to ask all my questions?

Muffinski yay! We're scan buddies to! Good luck for yours next week, hopefully we will be able to swap pics and stories

Xx

 

[Loula]

In last pregnancy I saw a very sluggish heartbeat and had to go back 2 weeks later. This time I thought I was around 6 weeks bit only a yolk sac was seen in the right location so my dates were out completely but I have long cycles etc. Privately you may get your questions answered but on the nhs in my experience it's been scan and out.

 

[Meg86]

Ah - ok thanks Loula - mine is nhs so I'll be prepared to get kicked straight out x

 

[Mariexo]

I had a private scan when I was supposed to be 6w6d. I got put back to 6w1d. When you go for early scans, your dates will get changed around a lot as all babies grow at different rates. I saw my midwife a couple of weeks ago and told her how many times my dates had been changed around and she said that is what happens with early scans. She told me that the best time to begin dating the baby is on the 12 week scan. She then told me that once I've had my 20 week scan they wouldn't be allowed to change my dates anymore which is a relief. I was beginning to get so tired of them changing my due date.

At an early scan they usually look for a yolk sack as well as the baby. By 6 weeks you should be able to see the heartbeat but for some women that is not always the case and it is not necessarily something to be concerned about. The heart is supposed to be beating at 6 weeks, but in some cases that can take slightly longer. The heartbeat will look like a strand of hair/strand of a feather blowing in the wind (this is how mine looked anyway!).

Early scans can be difficult as of course they cannot tell you very much about the baby as it has not grown a hell of a lot - so as for more in-depth complications they wouldn't be able to say anything. But they could certainly tell you whether it is looking like a viable pregnancy or not, whether there is a heartbeat and everything is looking okay with how the baby and yolk sack are situated.

I'm not sure if they do this at the NHS scan, but at my private early scan they also checked my left and right ovary to make sure everything was okay with those, too.

When is your scan hun? I hope everything goes well for you and please keep us updated xx

 

[Melly41]

Brilliant! Thanks Melly that's helpful. Do you know if I'll have an opportunity to ask all my questions?

Muffinski yay! We're scan buddies to! Good luck for yours next week, hopefully we will be able to swap pics and stories

Xx

There was opportunity for me to ask questions but ot was a private scan. Like loula said, with nhs your prob in and out. X

 

[Meg86]

Thank you Mariexo, that is really really helpful. My scan isn't until Wednesday afternoon, it's going to be a very long week!! Congratulations to you as well, how is everything going for you? X

 

[JoeyClare]

I had a seven week scan due to a bit of brown bleeding. It was only a bit and no pain, so I didn't need a scan under NHS, so opted to go private. My scan was actually abdominal rather than internal and all she did was confirm heartbeat, that there was only one baby and measured baby which dated me at 6 week 5 days. My NHS 12 week scan actually brought that forward by 4 days.

I got some pictures and all you can see is a little blob in a big empty space. It's amazing to see the difference 5 weeks later! Good luck for next week!

 

[Mariexo]

Thank you Mariexo, that is really really helpful. My scan isn't until Wednesday afternoon, it's going to be a very long week!! Congratulations to you as well, how is everything going for you? X

Everything is going well for me, thanks for asking Meg! Been suffering the last few days with round ligament pains, but other than that, everything else is going smoothly x

 

[Muffinski]

Brilliant! Thanks Melly that's helpful. Do you know if I'll have an opportunity to ask all my questions?

Muffinski yay! We're scan buddies to! Good luck for yours next week, hopefully we will be able to swap pics and stories

Xx

Hi Meg, absolutely let's swap pics and stories! Mine is on Tuesday morning. Will post afterwards to let you know how it goes!

 

[Meg86]

Ahhhh I'm so jealous muffinski ! I had the option to go for Tuesday but it didn't fit with work. Good luck! I bet you can't wait! How are you feeling today? I'm really crampy - I don't think they are worrying cramps but I don't have any basis for comparison. I think I'll feel better when I actually see it xx

 

[Muffinski]

Ahhhh I'm so jealous muffinski ! I had the option to go for Tuesday but it didn't fit with work. Good luck! I bet you can't wait! How are you feeling today? I'm really crampy - I don't think they are worrying cramps but I don't have any basis for comparison. I think I'll feel better when I actually see it xx

Yes, looking forward to it! I'm feeling fine, at this point really not much different than normal apart from needing to pee more! How are you doing? Cramps still there? X

 

[Meg86]

Hi muffinski, yep still crampy, just had a nice shower though so that has made me feel a bit more relaxed. Also needing to pee more and sleep through the day, then be awake at night. Oh. And really sore boobs! Genuinely loving every minute of it so far (I might not be saying that in a few more weeks time...). Poor OH did discover what happens though if he accidentally takes my last tracker bar (pretty much my favourite thing when I'm a bit queasy). Ashamed to admit that there were a few tears.... really hope I'm not going to turn into a completely crazy person!!

It sounds like you're managing much better than me at the moment! I hope it stays that way for you xxx

 

[Muffinski]

Hi muffinski, yep still crampy, just had a nice shower though so that has made me feel a bit more relaxed. Also needing to pee more and sleep through the day, then be awake at night. Oh. And really sore boobs! Genuinely loving every minute of it so far (I might not be saying that in a few more weeks time...). Poor OH did discover what happens though if he accidentally takes my last tracker bar (pretty much my favourite thing when I'm a bit queasy). Ashamed to admit that there were a few tears.... really hope I'm not going to turn into a completely crazy person!!

It sounds like you're managing much better than me at the moment! I hope it stays that way for you xxx

I love the tracker bar story!! Hopefully your OH has learnt his lesson, lol! Whereabouts are you based Meg?

 

[Meg86]

I'm in Devon, what about you muffinski? X

 

[Muffinski]

I'm in London. Xx

 

[Meg86]

Ooo lovely!! I love going to London - sadly doesn't happen very often!!

Good luck tomorrow muffinski! I hope it all goes well x

 

[Muffinski]

Ooo lovely!! I love going to London - sadly doesn't happen very often!!

Good luck tomorrow muffinski! I hope it all goes well x

Thanks so much Meg - I will update tomorrow once done!