Dont know the date of my last period??

[k1003h]

Hello. I've just seen my GP (today) and found out I am pregnant, unfortunately as I am on the pill, I have ran it over for a couple packs so have no idea when my last period would be. (As I didn't quite believe her I came home and did a clear blue digital test, which said PREGNANT 3+ which according to the leaflet means 5 weeks +)
My GP said it wasn't a problem and to call the Maternity Self Referral and they would book me in for an Early pregnancy and date scan . . turns out . . they wont!

The maternity care team have said without knowing my last period they will only take the day I saw the GP and I wont be able to have a scan or any sort of appointment for 10 weeks from that date.

I cant wait 10 weeks, does anybody know any way around this? I am looking at going privately for the first scan which is £110 but the nearest place is over an hour away.

[ExBrightonBell]

That sounds mad! What an odd line to take about this. If you are about 5 weeks pregnant than in 10wks time I think it will be too late for things like the nuchal fold scan.

Can you find out who is the supervisor of the team of midwives? If you can, I would call them and complain directly.

[MediumOrchid]

That's ridiculous, what if you were 5 months pregnant and didn't know?! (I'm sure you're not!) They need to establish how pregnant you are so you can have the scans and tests at the right times.

I would go back to the GP and get him to phone and make an appointment. You shouldn't have to pay to go privately.

[MediumOrchid]

Or, if you get no-where with the GP, why not 'suddenly remember' when your last period was, picking a date which is the earliest your last period could have been. They'll then book you a 12 week scan which will date your pregnancy, and if you're earlier than 12 weeks they'll book you another for the right date. I don't think theres anything wrong with doing this, you're just trying to make sure you get the scans you need before it's too late for them to be done.

[k1003h]

My thoughts exactly, seems like a crazy system. its horrible having no clue how far gone I am! thanks for advice think ill ring my GP see if they can arrange it. if not I think I may 'remember' my last period
Its my first and i'm feeling a bit like a deer in headlights, really don't want to wait 10 weeks.

[Armadale]

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

The pregnant 3+ weeks clear blue test is not much help, unfortunately, as it only goes up to 3+, so you could be 3+ or 8+ weeks and it would say the same thing.

There are two reasons why they must give you an early scan in order to find out how far along you are:

1. Antenatal tests have a certain window that they can be done in eg nuchal translucency scan for Downs Syndrome is between 11 weeks, 2 days and 14 weeks, 1 day of pregnancy only
   

1. Dating a pregnancy is most effective if done between 10 weeks and 14 weeks- before this it can be hard to get an accurate measurement, as things are so curled up, and after this babies grow at different rates and so it is harder to date them.
   

In this PG I didn't know my LMP as I had not had a period after my last MC before falling pregnant. I had a 6, 8 and 10 week reassurance scan at the EPU, and assumed I would not need a 12 week scan as I decline Down's testing and thought it would be a bit of a waste of the hospitals money to have the 12 week one with no reason. However, the hospital still insisted I needed one, as the due date estimates from the 8 and 10 week scans would not be as accurate as one made at 12 weeks.

I think the Maternity service is being incredibly lax, to be honest, and I would send the head of the service an email detailing what your GP advised, what you have been told and asking how they intend to ensure they can offer you Downs screening (if you want it) and an accurate date without giving you an early scan.

If you get no luck, your GP can do rising HCG levels over 48 hours which will give you a better (but not perfect) indication of how far along you are. However, I'd push for the scan, and think if the GP chased it up they would back down and provide it.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

That is such a barmy (and potentially dangerous) situation! they should have booked ypu in for the next avaliable scan slot and gone from there.

[k1003h]

brilliant thank you. I think I will call them back and try to speak to someone higher up, if I have no luck ill call my GP.

Thank you