U/S at 6 weeks - What would you do?

[Hahamama]

I went and saw my GP to tell her I'm pregnant and she wants me to get an early u/s, for dating and to make sure it's not ectopic or anything. But the thing is, we're going overseas for a week (leaving next Sat) and she wants me to get the u/s before we go, just to make sure it's all okay. But I've read that at 6 weeks, they might not be able to detect a heartbeat. I'm wondering if I should wait till we get back? Then I'll be between 7 and 8 weeks. But then should I be disregarding my GP's concerns? She wasn't worried as such, I've never had an ectopic or m/c or anything, but I do have uterus didelphys (double uterus).

So what do you all think? The u/s will be $280, I don't want it to be a waste! But then, the rest of my u/s will be free as we're probably going public.

[~ Mylitta ~]

While it's totally up to you, I can never pass up an ultrasound because I just love to see anything during pregnancies. A scan at 6 weeks will be internal, so keep that in mind. I've had three scans during the 6th week and a heartbeat was seen at all of them. I guess as long as you go in aware that you may not see a heartbeat yet then you won't be too disappointed if you don't see one. Apparently the earlier you have a dating scan the more accurate it is though. In the beginning babies grow at pretty much the same rate, then later on they start to grow at different rates.

But most importantly... Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

[lady_neon]

They may not detect a heartbeat, but they can still see where the egg and yolk sac are positioned. I had one at 5w3d.

You should get some money back from Medicare. Where are you? Ultrasounds in Perth are only $160 :|

[Maruschke]

Holy Cow that's a lot for an ultrasound! It depends on what you want to see... however if I was going overseas and pregnancy wasn't covered, I'd get the scan. The worst thing you want is to be miles up in the air with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

[Hahamama]

Thanks everyone! You've helped me to make up my mind, I will get the scan.

Mylitta - Thank you! I'm expecting it to be internal, I had about a million scans last pregnancy. Thanks for the tip about it being more accurate earlier, that's very reassuring!

lady_neon - I'm in Sydney. It was a bit of a shock when they told me the price, as all my scans last pregnancy were free. I hope I get at least half back.

Maruschke - That's very true! It's a six hour flight, to the Cook Islands, and I have no idea what medical care there is over there!

Thanks again all. Scan next Friday.