Internal scans and miscarriage

[Laurans]

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping for some reassurance!

I have had 2 miscarriages in the last year and am currently 5 weeks pregnant! Iv been feeling really upset as when we told Mother in law (only told her early as family coming to stay with us and couldn't lie when asked) she said.....oh you won't be having anymore of those internal scans again will you? How do you know they didn't cause the miscarriages?

Now my rational mind tells me to ignore these comments especially as tests showed our last angel baby had turners syndrome ( so nothing to do with scans etc!)
My irrational mind just keeps needing reassurance....I'm also upset to that she thinks we would do anything to put our much wanted baby at risk! And that we may have caused the miscarriages by having these scans.

1. Has anyone ever been told of an assoc between internal/transvaginal scans and miscarriage.
2. Should I tell how much it's upset me or just let it go?
Opinions please
Thanks
L x

 

[flou]

I'm so sorry for your losses. I myself have had two losses and I am currently 8 weeks and 4 days pg. I had an internal ultrasound at 7 weeks and I was so overwhelmed by seeing my little bean with a beating heart. It was definitely the best experience so far. Internal ultrasounds are perfectly safe. Occasionally they can cause cramping and spotting but this won't make you miscarry. If anything seeing your bean can make you less stressed about being pg again which would probably do more harm. But the choice to have the scan should be yours and your DH. In terms of confronting your mil that is also up to you. Knowing my hormones i don't think i would be able to confront the issue but i would probably tell my Dh she had upset me. I hope your little bean is sticky and healthy. Good luck!

 

[misspriss]

Personally, when we get pregnant again I will be declining TVU. I went crazy reading MC and MMC stories after my loss, and I can't tell you how many countless stories I read where there was an internal scan, and then at the next scan it was revealed the baby's heart stopped within a day of the internal scan and didn't grow for weeks. I had an abdominal scan at 6+3 with DS, and so if I wait until 8 or 9 weeks (or even 12) there should be no problem doing an abdominal. I'd just rather avoid them, based on what I have read.

It's nothing I've been told, or read any research on, it's just based on reading lots of MC stories that went that exact same way. My (very rational and logical) brain kept saying "Wait, does no one else see this connection? I KEEP seeing this!"

And to me, it's not that big of a deal to hold out a couple more weeks for an external scan.

 

[petitpas]

I'm a recurrent miscarrier so I've done a lot of research on the causes of miscarriage. Most of them are caused by genetic faults (such as your Turner's syndrome baby). Much fewer are caused by problems the mother has. Once investigated most of these are found and treated. They include: thyroid issues, clotting factors, hormone imbalances and immune system problems. Out of all of those tested there still remain some very few 'unexplained' for losses but I really can't see that just their losses are caused by TVU. It seems to be the case that we just don't have tests yet for what their problem is.

I personally have had a ton of TVU, usually weekly in first tri and then every two weeks. Yes, I have had babies die between those scans (I lost six pregnancies) but we now know why they died. It definitely wasn't due to the scans.

My guess is that your MIL never had access to that technology when she was pregnant and in her sadness is desperately looking to protect you from more losses. If she could, she'd probably advise bedrest (my mum did ), no sex, staying away from microwave ovens and goodness knows what else, too.
I'd personally laugh it off if she mentions it again but understand that, though ignorant, her suggestion stems from concern for your baby. So reassure her that you are doing everything you can possibly do to look after your pregnancy and that may include reassurance scans to keep your stress levels down.

As it happens, there has been research in recurrent miscarriage clinics showing that more frequent scans can give better outcomes in pregnancy. Probably due to the reassurance factor.

 

[Laurans]

Thanks petitpas, your post made so much sense! Your right that if it offers reassurance then that prob outweighs any risk (if one exists at all!)
My sister had twins by IVF and she was having 3 per week at one stage as had problems but the babies were born healthy!

Haha yes I think my family would kill me if they knew id been mowing the lawn and carrying the shopping bags. Whilst I won't do anything crazy i have to ignore some of their suggestions eg. Why don't you avoid bending down to pet the dogs! Lol

Thanks again x

 

[lillysmum26]

With my daughter I was having one a week I dont think they would use them if they caused miscarriages x

 

[Button#]

I've had them both with my DS and the one I MC. TVUs are generally offered in early pregnancy when there is already reason to need to check on baby. Both times I had mine for spotting and the scan definitely didn't cause the MC as baby already was measuring far behind and not growing properly whereas DS was fine and it was just a bit of after DTD spotting.