Snowy,

I've had early scans both external and internal but you have a right to ask for an external scan only. Internals are much clearer and detailed, that's all. Don't let them push you into it, it's not needed at all.

Also, the earlier the scan, the easier you are to date your pregnancy. Once a foetus reaches a certain age, their genetic characteristics take over and they grow at their own rate / proportions.

Thought I would share an interesting bit of information with you - do you know that dopplers are more concentrated than ultrasound? Ultrasound has 'breaks' as it has to bounce back to give an image. Doppler is a continous ultrasound so thank goodness they are quick - there is an article on it by Dr. Sarah Buckley in the ultrasound gallery pages. This is why I decided against hiring out handheld dopplers, we were going to do it via BellyBelly. Also from the scans I have had, the baby doesn't seem to like it very much, they often turn away from the ultrasound, so I am even thinking of skipping the ultrasound my Ob wants me to have next week to date my pregnancy (I am pretty sure when I ovulated as I charted but hadn't had a period yet since Marisa was born).