Missed miscarriage and NHS protocol

[Rosieanne86]

Hi everyone. Just to say this isn’t a dig at the NHS, im just a little frustrated at the whole situation.

Long story short, this is my second pregnancy, had no pregnancy symptoms with first, nausea from day one with second. Symptoms stopped about two weeks ago suddenly and decided to book early scan at 10weeks at private clinic. On Saturday, Ultrasound showed large sac, fetus pole measuring 6/7 weeks with no heartbeat. Decided to go to hospital to emergency gynae clinic where they said the same thing. Couldn’t 100% definately say it was a missed miscarriage, it just didn’t look very promising. Asked me to return in two weeks and sent me on my way. No advice on what to do if it happens naturally, pain management, how to deal with it physically or emotionally. No support line or group etc. Did say that if I was really struggling I could come back in a week. I called today to see if I could come back and they said no. It’s NHS protocol that I have to wait two weeks for another scan. So here I am.. waiting! Driving myself nuts worrying.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is this really NHS protocol?! I know they need to make sure but surely they’d be able to see in a week if there has been any change or not?

[lillylollylandy]

So sorry you're going through this, OP. I had a miscarriage a few years ago and had the same two week wait between scans, so yes, it is NHS protocol. It was the same protocol at the private clinic I spoke to. The reason is that they need to be sure that the pregnancy is non-viable before they can diagnose a MMC, and a week simply isn't long enough to do this.

[InDreamland]

Sorry you're going through this OP. Not sure what is NHS protocol but my experience is as follows:

Monday last week knew something wasn't right at 11+3. So went to EPU following day. Saw nurse, doctor then scan. Scan put us at 5-6 weeks so was booked in for second scan for today (I am supposed to be 12+4) to confirm mc - they cannot confirm mc I was told from first scan in case I had my dates wrong. Was told though if had heavy bleeding or pain before today to go to A&E. No advice given though on anything else. Just so happened last night I mc'd and it was the worst most excruciatingly painful experience of my life.

I would suggest if you're worried to call the EPU or your GP.

I hope that you're worries are for nothing and that you're pregnancy is actually a healthy one that goes full term x

[BabloHoney]

Hi Rosie, so sorry for what you are going through. This happened to me with second miscarriage, was meant to be 12 weeks, but baby only measured 10 weeks and no heartbeat. My EPU just sent me home and told me to come back for another scan in 10 days, I was really confused and scared but they didn’t offer me any real advice or support as to what to do. I ended up miscarrying at home.. it was absolutely awful.. but when I did go back for the later scan, they asked me why I didn’t go in urgently when the pain and bleeding had become horrific... i said it was because I felt they’d just sent me on my way like there wasn’t anything they could do. I was then told I absolutely should have gone back in and they’d have helped me manage what happened... I’m not sure I’m wording this very well, I guess I’m saying advice between consultants seems to be mixed, and if you have any pain or heavy bleeding just go back in and insist they see you, or go to a&e, that’s what I was told I should have done! Sending love and support to you

[InDreamland]

Sorry - was a round about way of saying I only had to wait 1 week not 2 for second scan.

[ronniemipperton]

So sorry you’re going through this Rosieanne86.

I don’t want to cause confusion and I’m sure this isn’t what you want to hear but I was in a very similar situation to you - had a private scan Thursday at 10 weeks, no heartbeat found and baby measuring 8 weeks 3. But I went to the EPU the next day (via A&E as the only instructions I had from the midwife were to go to A&E if any problems) and they scanned me there to confirm and booked me in for surgical management on Monday. The only protocol they mentioned was having two sonographers to confirm the miscarriage.

I did bring the referral letter from the private clinic, I don’t know if that made any difference?

I have seen others talking about the follow up scan in the practical tips thread (and tbh was expecting them to tell me to come back in a week/fortnight) so I guess maybe this is protocol in some trusts but not others?

[Greenglassteacup]

Sorry you’re going through this OP. They make you wait for the second scan because they say you might have your dates wrong ( even though in most cases you haven’t).

[fuzzywuzzy]

I had similar as PP, discovered MMC at 10 week scan and went to epau who scanned me and confirmed MMC & booked me in for the very next day for an SMM.

I was so traumatised by the MMC I couldn’t have waited another two weeks.

OP call the hospital tell them you’re very distressed and can’t wait two weeks. That’s horrendous.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

[fuzzywuzzy]

I also had a copy of the scan and a letter from the first scan which I showed the hospital.

I was doing a medical trial and the scan was done by a consultant at a teaching hospital.

Maybe that helped.

[badgeronabicycle]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I have had two missed mc and my experience was the same regarding the 2 week wait to confirm growth had stopped even though I was positive my dates were correct both times.
The first time I miscarried naturally before the second scan. It was painful and horrible but was over quickly. The second time I made it to the second scan and missed mc was confirmed. I opted for an ERPC the next day which was quick and painless. I was very well looked after by my EPAU, I hope you are too. Xx

[Rosieanne86]

Wow everyone. Thanks for your quick responses. I really appreciate it. I’m going to another hospital tomorrow which has another early pregnancy unit to see if I can get some help. I’m terrified and hoping il make it to surgical management. Done the usual thing and googled miscarriages and like you have all said, it’s not nice and I wish it was something no wishing mother to be should have to experience.

Again, thank you all for your responses. I hope you all go on to have healthy pregnancies. X

[badgeronabicycle]

Good luck for tomorrow OP, I hope you get the help and support you need. If it's any consolation, I was pregnant again the cycle after my ERPC and now have a 15 month old. Hang in there. Xx

[Hoppinggreen]

I’m sorry for your loss
I was handed a tissue and a leaflet by the EPAU and told to go away and let nature take its course when no heartbeat was found at 12 weeks
I booked into the local Private hospital and was VERY well looked after.

[Michelle0507]

I had a private scan on a Sunday, No heartbeat they rang my local EPAU and made an appt for a week on Mon. Was told they rescan in 7 days also remember something about if it measures under 7mm then they have to rescan. It was all a blur so not 100%! The wait was awful!

[InDreamland]

How did it go at the EPU @Rosieanne86? I hope you got the help and support you need x

[Rosieanne86]

I went to hospital and managed to chat to a nurse who was very helpful. Obviously I wish they would have scanned me again just to be a 100% so I can move on. So on Saturday I was 10 weeks and baby showed 6/7. If it doesn’t happen naturally I go to hospital on 28th July for scan and discuss options. I’ve heard different stories so I don’t know. If it doesn’t happen naturally. Il still got for scan to make sure all everything has passed. X

[Stilltryingat36]

I had a scan I should have been 11 weeks baby measured 9 nfh they checked inside and out.

They said they usually send u away for 2weeks to happen naturally I said no as it's been gone for 2 weeks and nothings happened.

Then they tried to make me wait to have a medically managed but I said no again and they got me in 4days later.

I just got a call a week later and nurse said doesn't sound like u need rescanning. I'm scared to be scanned now anyway so that was fine.

Now 4 weeks later and no idea what's happening with my stupid body, expecting af anytime but my cycle could be a mess and I have no idea where I'm at.

#frustrated

[Rosieanne86]

My baby stopped at 6 weeks and I was 12 weeks by the time they did second scan and mva. My body didn’t seem to want to do it naturally and I didn’t fancy medical management. The mva procedure itself wasn’t horrendous but definately something I won’t do a gain. I bled very heavily the first day but 3 days later and it seems to have stopped. Still feel crampy but apart from that I’m fine.

Is the sac had kept on growing and the baby hadn’t, they were positive I’d miscarried so I don’t really understand why I had to wait.

It was very said that about four other women had found out that they had miscarried that day also. You don’t realise how common it is.