Likelihood of early scan on NHS?

[TTCmay]

Hi, got my bfp on Tuesday! So excited but super worried and anxious.
I had a mc at 7 weeks in early June and then again in late July (early- started bleeding the day after positive test, so prob 4 weeks)

What are the criteria for getting an early scan on NHS? I know it won't do much except peace of mind.... But to me that is massive!

My gp is v aware (and verbal) of NHS spending so I'd like to go in equipped with the info when I see him next week.

If they won't give me one I will go private (as i have done previously, inc dd). Just think given my history they may agree to scan me?

Thanks!

[bluebird68]

depends on the area you live in. My area have a no early scan policy- even for women who have had repeated (3 and over) miscarriages. They only scan those who are bleeding / in pain and those with a previous eptopic. Ring your local EPU and see what their policy is.

[bluebird68]

basically they don't do reassurance scans. some places will though.

[RileyLeeHargreaves2012]

I was 5.5 weeks when i started bleeding, I lyed to them and told them i was 7 because they say they cant see the hb until then... it turned out I was 5.1 and they saw a hb. I had another scan 2 weeks later and I found out i m/c.

Ring up your EPU and tell then what your experiencing? I lost my first child at 23weeks so they wanted to reasure me, so next time i get pregnant I get ab early scan and one every month after 12 weeks.

Fingers crossed for you, if you want one tell them your 6 weeks and back track your last period they will more likely give you one then :-)

[katesav87]

Were I am they won't scan early either :-( I've had 3 miscarriages and my dr still would not scan me!! I ended up in a and e in a lot of pain and the Docter was so nice and understood I was being over cautious about everything and booked me a scan at the epu were I then saw a heartbeat. I've also gone and paid for a private scan at 8weeks as I still get over my anxiety! I'm now 10 weeks tomorrow and am still anxious. Good luck tho I hope u get one its worth asking. I know totally how u feel x

[TTCmay]

Thanks everyone. I'll try my best to convince gp!!

[CitizenOscar]

My local EPU scanned me at 6/7 weeks when I was worried about sudden loss of symptoms. That was 2 years ago. But I assume it depends on the unit. I didn't see the GP because EPU had a drop-in clinic with no need for referral.

[lotsofcheese]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Exciting times!! The statistics are in your favour in terms of a successful pregnancy - fingers crossed.,

Different EPAU's have different policies - some will only offer scans for pain + bleeding, or over 8 weeks, after 3 m/c etc. Some will take self-referrals, others GP referrals only. It's perhaps worth giving yours a call to ask their policy.

But PLEASE don't "fake" symptoms/dates (as was suggested earlier on the thread) in order to be seen - it could delay or prevent woman with genuine problems being seen when she really needs it.

A reassurance scan will hopefully put your mind at rest. 8 weeks is a good time to have a scan - private or NHS..

Good luck!!!

[GrandPoohBah]

I self referred to an EPU for bleeding in my

[GrandPoohBah]

Stupid phone!

I've had 3 MCs - 2nd I self referred for bleeding, was told it was over, 3rd I self referred for bleeding, saw a heartbeat then saw my GP who offered a reassurance scan (not knowing I'd already been). Unfortunately that pregnancy didn't work out either but I was offered one. I think it depends on the area you're in, to be honest - and how nice your GP is.

[Paradisefound]

I had a scan at 7 weeks as I was admitted due to hyperemesis. In my area you would contact epu direct.

[RileyLeeHargreaves2012]

Sorry I made that sound wrong! I only said I was a week further on in my pregnancy to be seen I was really scared and it was a quite day for them. I did bleed alot and have bad period cramps, sorry if I offended anyone :-/.

Hope you all get a healthy baby soon and stay positive :-).

[ginmakesitallok]

I had early scan after my first MC, which sadly ended in MC too. Also had early scan for next pregnancy - upstairs asleep.

[LauraPalmerPlusOne]

Last year I had 2 MCs within 4 months and for this pregnancy (currently 25wks) my lovely, amazing, understanding (female) GP referred me for a reassurance scan at 7 weeks and then the lovely, amazing, understanding (female) EPU nurse booked me for a second reassurance scan at 10 weeks.

Nothing against the menfolk, but perhaps try seeing a female GP?

[TTCmay]

Hi sorry been away for past 24 hours - thanks for all the messages.

We have no direct access to epau unfortunately- got to go thru a&e or gp (as I found out with mc).

Fingers crossed get referred.

[Secondsop]

They won't do a scan just for reassurance, but if you have any symptoms that worry you you can self refer to an early pregnancy unit and they will scan you if they think your symptoms require it. I had a miscarriage at 9.5 weeks last year, and this time i had brown spotting which was the first indicator of miscarriage for me before, so I went to the EPU and they scanned me. As everything was ok but measuring small, they said to come back in 2 weeks time so I got a second early scan from them. I then got yet another one after I had a bad fall down the stairs at about 9 weeks.

If I'd had no worrying symptoms this time round I'd have definitely gone for a private scan - friends who've had them say that they are worth every penny in terms of reassurance and you get a lot more time with the sonographer than with an NHS early scan.

[Secondsop]

TTCMay are you in the UK? Are you sure your hospital doesn't have a walk-in EPU clinic at certain times during the day?

[ISeeThreadPeople]

You can't self refer at our EPAUs either (two in this county), has to be a GP or A&E referral.

It does v much depend on where you are. I had an early scan due to brown bleeding and pain in one pregnancy (history of mc) and to confirm mc after v heavy, clotty bleeding and cramps (wasn't a mc at all, she's 5yo ).

[lotsofcheese]

At my EPAU, you can self-refer, but will only be seen after 48 hours of bleeding. There is no drop-in, it is appointment only.

I have had 2 early scans in this pregnancy; the 1st at 8 weeks as I had a molar pregnancy. The 2nd was at 10 weeks due to a previous mmc at 11.5 weeks (heartbeat had stopped at 9ish weeks). The unit are only supposed to offer 1 scan, but I was offered 2 as I had 2 criteria for scans.

I would have happily paid for private scans, as my anxiety has been so high in this pregnancy. But I'm very grateful that it was done on the NHS.

[TTCmay]

We don't have any drop in at epau (London)

Gp has kindly asked for early scan - only been a week so not heard yet. Although I have since heard that if I am scanned At say 8-10 weeks they won't Always do the normal 12 week scan- is this right?

Thanks x

[TTCmay]

I mean my nearest hospital in London- obviously don't know about all London hospitals!

[Secondsop]

TTCmay where in London are you? I'm in London. Kings have an early pregnancy drop in. As does Croydon hospital. I've used them both.

[TTCmay]

Whipps (north east london) .

[TTCmay]

Just looked at homerton website - they accept self referrals l didn't really think things like this would differ

[arghhelpme]

With ds1 i had bleeding early on, was just probably spotting, gp sent me for early scan at 7 weeks.

With ds2 i had bleeding again, gp sent me for early scan. I was 5 weeks and they couldn't see anything so had to go back two weeks later for another scan.