We are often asked questions about early scans during pregnancy. To make it easier for you we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions; and answered them here for you.
Please drink more water before your appointment and arrive with a reasonably full bladder, not so you are in extreme discomfort, but just so you feel like you need to go to the toilet.
A fully qualified and registered diagnostic Sonographer will complete your scan. There will also be a member of our chaperone team who will accompany you throughout your scan.
The scan will be explained throughout and you will be provided with an obstetric report of our findings to take away, but if you have any questions about anything then please ask.
As we adhere to NICE guidelines, pre 10 weeks a vaginal scan would be recommended for more accurate diagnostic results. However this is with consent and will be discussed at your appointment.
In most early pregnancies you will need an internal scan and this should not hurt; however it may feel a bit odd but if at any time you are concerned then please tell the Sonographer.
The scan will not hurt your baby. From the very early weeks of pregnancy the baby is surrounded by fluid and this protects the baby, so with either a ‘tummy’ or ‘internal’ the probe will not touch the baby.
Sometimes due to pregnancy hormones the vagina and cervix can bleed a little but this will not affect the pregnancy. If you are coming to have the scan because you have had some bleeding then this will continue after the scan.
After the Sonographer has completed the scan they will explain everything to you (and show you if you wish) and if there is any reason for you to have a follow up the staff will arrange this for you at your hospital’s Early Pregnancy Unit or Fetal Care Unit.
In early pregnancy the scan can date a pregnancy to within 5 days. The ideal gestation to scan for dating is 8-12 weeks. Your estimated due date will be confirmed at your 12 week NHS scan appointment.
Yes of course you may. When you have had your scan and know the dates and that all is well, then please ask the staff about the scans you would like to have.
At this early stage it’s too early to be able to see your baby so we would advise you to book a scan for 6 weeks from your last period for the most accurate results.
At this early stage, a scan will not be able to see what is happening; it would be better to wait for a week and see whether the bleeding stops or becomes more like a period and repeat your pregnancy test after the week. If the bleeding has settled and your test is positive, then please book a scan for 6 weeks from your last period. If the bleeding continues and pregnancy test is still positive then make an appointment to see your GP. Sometimes your pregnancy hormones need monitoring with blood tests. I f the bleeding has continued and your pregnancy test is negative then unfortunately you may have had a very early miscarriage.
Yes, please book a scan for after you are 6 weeks pregnant. If you are not able to drink much at all or if you are not passing much urine, please contact your GP who may be able to help with your sickness as we don’t want you getting dehydrated.
Yes, you can have weekly scans but please ensure they are at least 7 days apart so that you can see the difference each week.
When you come for your first appointment, please book the next scan whilst at the clinic.
We will inform the hospital should there be a problem but if all is well at your scan, we will not.
It may be advisable to tell them that you have had a private scan.
Also if you tell the hospital you have had a scan with us then they will still scan you.
It is beneficial for us to know about previous pregnancies, so we ask you to complete a form when you arrive at the clinic. Knowing about your previous pregnancy history will help the sonographer to explain the results and outcome of the scan to you.
You might be, but even heavy bleeding doesn’t always mean miscarriage. An ultrasound will tell you more, but not until about 6 weeks and even then, it might not give a full picture.
Do contact your GP, midwife, Early Pregnancy Unit or Accident & Emergency department if you:
o have previously had an ectopic pregnancy, or
o have sharp one-sided pain and/or pain in your shoulders, or
o feel very faint or dizzy.
A missed miscarriage (also called silent or delayed miscarriage) is where the baby has failed to develop but your body has not actually miscarried. The scan picture shows a pregnancy sac with a baby (or fetus or embryo) inside, but there is no heartbeat and the pregnancy looks smaller than it should be at this stage. Pregnancy hormone levels may still be high, so you may have had no idea that anything was wrong, still feel pregnant and have a positive pregnancy test.
The options are natural (waiting for nature to take its course), medical (usually tablets to start or speed up the miscarriage process) or surgical (removing the remains of your pregnancy with general or local anesthetic).
The chances are good, even if you have a tube removed, though it depends on the condition of the remaining tube. Overall, about two-thirds of women get pregnant again naturally after an ectopic, while some will need help (e.g. fertility treatment) to do so. The overall chance of you having another ectopic is between 7% and 10%.
You and your partner might find it difficult to talk about your miscarriage and explain what kind of support you need. This can be especially difficult if you both feel differently about the miscarriage. It can help to choose a moment when you are both relaxed and you have time to talk. Try writing things down. This can help you share difficult emotions with your partner or just make sure you know what you want to say before you start.
There are plenty of websites, forums and counselling to help you through this time. Don’t suffer in silence.
