Can I self refer to Plymouth EPU?

[catbus]

Does anyone know if I can take myself along, or whether I have to do it through GP? I have only ever used (different area) one where it's a walk in and wait, but not sure if this applies to a Plymouth? Thankyou

[Rockchick1984]

Don't know the area but does this site help?

[dannydyerismydad]

Not Plymouth, but at my local hospital you are triaged in A&E and then they refer you onto EPU.

[catbus]

Thanks Rockchick, I saw that one :)

[catbus]

Thing is I'm not currently bleeding but have a feeling something is up- had MC and MMC before, so can't relax

[plokett1]

Hi catbus....unfortunately i dont think u can. I too suffered 2 mc'...both on bank hols so weren't even open but had to have gp referal anyway. If u have any worries then ring devon doctors (should b on ur gp surgery answerphone), they couldnt do much but did put my mind at ease. X

[catbus]

Hi Plokett. Thanks for that- I will wait and see I think and try to get nearer the 6 week mark..
Sorry for your MCs, also xx

[Secretlypregnant]

Hi catbus, I second plokett1 - my experience is that you have to go through your GP. How many weeks are you now? It took nearly a week for me to get a scan in a similar situation - it might be worth making an appointment tomorrow as the wait could be a while anyway?

Sorry you are going through such worries - I do know how it feels to be pregnant after MC and totally understand your concerns.

[plokett1]

Your welcome catbus and it is an awful wait. Sorry to hear of your losses too but be positive i'm now 32 weeks pregnant and had all the same worries i even paid for a prive scan at 8 weeks just reassure me the was actually a hb and it put me at ease but unfortunately the epu werent really interested even when it was to confirm the last mc i was admitted to a ward and they still didnt see it as urgent enough to scan me gkr a further 20 hours! Fingers and toes crossed for u though.xx

[catbus]

Thanks, secretlypregnant I might just do that. Will be 6 weeks on Weds
plokett1 So sorry you had that
Would love to steer well clear if I can!
I'm over the bridge, so not in Devon, but it seems that Plym is my nearest EPU
Not sure where to put my head with it all and not exactly relishing brusque treatment.. Gonna hang fire as long as my head will take it

[Secretlypregnant]

Obviously it is going to depend on who you get on the day, but I've twice been referred to Derriford because of bleeding, and both times the GPs and also the people at the EPU could not have been nicer or kinder.

As you haven't had bleeding, I do agree it might be a good idea to wait if you can. The earliest I have had a scan is seven weeks, and then it was just a flicker. From what I've read, they can sometimes not tell this early on if things are OK or not, which might be more agonising.

Try to keep thinking positive. It is natural to feel worried after what you have experienced in the past, but it is a really, really good sign that you are nearly halfway through the first trimester with no bleeding.

[catbus]

Thankyou for those kind words
Gonna try and stay positive. Never thought I would be doing this all over again and I forgot how knicker checking can take it out of you

[2021ivfagain]

@catbus I know this is a very old thread. I did IVF and also from Plymouth. I had my first scan at 6w 5d and everything was good. There was a visible heartbeat, but my scan yesterday was terrible. At 8w 1d, my baby was measuring ok, but I had had a recent missed miscarriage possibly day before scan. I had no blood. Do you mind me asking what happened? I understand if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m struggling with next steps.