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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Requesting early scans?

26 replies

Millasaurus · 29/04/2014 23:48

Hello! I am new to Mumsnet so please bare with me.
I'm almost 9 weeks pregnant with my first & I'm a bag of nerves. I'm constantly anxious. I've suffered from cramps almost throughout so far which the midwife has told me is pretty normal & just everything settling down, growing & stretching but I started spotting a couple days ago. Again, I know this can be normal so am trying to not over worry or think on it too much.
I'm due my first scan in about 3 weeks time but I really don't know if I can wait that long.
Can I request an early scan & still have the 12 week scan? Or would you suggest for me to try to remain calm & wait the three weeks?

Thank you x

OP posts:

Report

Shetlandstock · 30/04/2014 00:05

Congratulation :)

IME you are unlikely to get an early scan just for reassurance.
Have you thought about a private one, or is that not an option? I had one at 9 weeks just for reassurance and it did help keep me sane for 5 minutes

Shetlandstock · 30/04/2014 00:05

Congratulations :)

IME you are unlikely to get an early scan just for reassurance.
Have you thought about a private one, or is that not an option? I had one at 9 weeks just for reassurance and it did help keep me sane for 5 minutes

Shetlandstock · 30/04/2014 00:07

Oops - sorry. Not sure what happened there.

Millasaurus · 30/04/2014 00:16

Thank you for the congratulations & swift response. I had a feeling that it was doubtful I'd be offered an early scan when my first one isn't -that- far away based on anxiety alone. I know deep down too that, as being a born worrier, I could have a scan a month & still find time to worry! :P

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Angelina77 · 30/04/2014 00:21

I was given a scan at 10 wks at the epu because of cramping. I would've thought spotting would mean they were more likely to offer a scan. Contact them directly and ask for advice.

Millasaurus · 30/04/2014 00:30

Thank you, Angelina - My midwife doesn't know about the spotting because this has happened since my last appointment with her. I'll contact her in the morning unless I should just phone the EPU in the morning instead?

As you had a scan at 10 weeks, when did you have the next one or when are you due the next one?

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 30/04/2014 07:06

It all depends on your HCT. It is a real postcode lottery. Give your MW a call and see what they say? FYI in my area you don't get referral to EPU or scan with spotting. I had two MCs and were told they will only scan if you have been bleeding heavily for two weeks. The second MC needed an operation because of very heavy bleeding on day one. (So heavy I filled a pad within minutes and can't go anywhere. I went to a&e with blood all over my lower half).

I asked for an early scan for my current pregnancy after two losses and was still refused as there is no medical ground for it. They operate on a totally wait and see policy

Armadale · 30/04/2014 07:13

I agree with OneLittle, different areas have completely different rules.

At my hospital, you would not be given a scan for a first pregnancy with light spotting and cramping, this would be seen as normal.

Early scans would only be given for suggested ectopics, or heavy bleeding and cramping.

I have to have a lot of scans (recurrent miscarrier) and am in the EPU a lot and you do get to hear the telephone/reception desk discussions from people who really feel they need a reassurance scan, but they just get given the number of a couple of localish private places.

OneLittle, I'm sorry for your losses, I think it is unfair to not get early scans after two back to back ones, that must be a really long wait.

Fairypants · 30/04/2014 07:37

I was given an early scan with just cramping. In my area you have to be referred to epu by dr or mw who can do so based on pain or bleeding (the amount if either is up to them. Tbh I think she just did it to reassure me as I had a mc last autumn. That was at 6 weeks and I still had a normal scan at 12 weeks (plus an extra private scan at 10.5 weeks as previous mc was at 10 weeks).
My mw wouldn't arrange a scan for me last time with spotting though so I think it does depend on who you speak to and where you are.

ikeaismylocal · 30/04/2014 09:11

I think it's worth calling the midwife bassed on tge spotting, of it was just to reassure you without other symptoms a private scan would be my advice.

If you want to have the downs testing at the 12 week scan that has to be done at between 11 and 14 weeks ( I think!) so even if you did have an early scan you'd get your normal 12 week scan.

Congratulations, and good luck!

lucyfluff · 30/04/2014 09:25

I would ring your GP and talk to them about the spotting.

I had the same at 9.5 weeks pregnant, they offered a EPU checkup and this was done five days later with an internal and all was fine with no explanation for spotting.

Good luck

HappyAsASandboy · 30/04/2014 10:03

Go and see your midwife or GP.

I went to my GP with bleeding (fairly light) and cramps at 7 weeks and was referred to EPU for a scan the same day.

You won't know if you don't ask.

Failing that, could you afford a private reassurance scan for peace of mind? They would give you a report of what they find, so if you needed follow up treatment then you can go back to the NHS and request it with evidence of why.

HappyAsASandboy · 30/04/2014 10:05

Just wanted to add, if you do have a reassurance scan now, the NHS will still offer the 12 week scans and screening. They won't accurately date it until that scan.

FreeSpirit89 · 30/04/2014 15:24

When I was first pregnant I had a bout of bleeding and cramps, I was sent for an emergency scan at 9 weeks, maybe speak to your GP. I didn't have a midwife when I had the scan at 9weeks I was still waiting for the signing on part. x

Millasaurus · 30/04/2014 23:31

OneLittle, I'm sorry for your loses. I think it's poor that you were not offered early scans considering the troubles you'd had.

Thank you all so much for the responses.

I tried to call my midwife before I went to work this morning & couldn't get through so I called the EPU (It was hard for me to do this as I didn't want to seem like a nuisance or wasting their time but I didn't know what else to do & followed the advice given to me here). The woman who I eventually spoke to was rather brash & just told me to take paracetamol. I told her the cramping wasn't painful enough for me to feel the need to take painkillers, it was the bleeding I was more concerned about but that's the only comfort or advise I was offered.

The spotting has increased - (I apologise now if anything I say is TMI) - It's not in my underwear or in the toilet after I pee but it is fairly red when I wipe & it's very time I go to toilet & wipe now - not just occasionally.

I'm going to try & call my midwife again in the morning & leave a message if I have to.

Sorry for the amount of text! & thank you again for the advice. It's a small comfort knowing I'm not alone.

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 01/05/2014 05:41

Hopefully the midwife can give you some reassurance. I was told after three back to back MCs they can refer me to the hospital fertility clinic for recurrent miscarriages. I assume then I would have a consultant to contact if things go wrong? Anyway I'm now 20 weeks pregnant so fingers crossed I will never find out.

There are threads on the conception and pregnancy boards for those who are TTC and pregnant after MCs. I found lots of support from there. And somewhere safe for a good rant.

Millasaurus · 01/05/2014 09:36

Thank you, Onelittle - I'm just waiting for her to call me back now :)

I'm so, so pleased to hear you're now 20 weeks pregnant. Congratulations & I hope everything goes smoothly x

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ViviPru · 01/05/2014 10:18

It seems to vary massively doesn't it. I'm exactly 6 weeks and I've had a low-level pain in one place on the side for the last two days, no blood. I spoke to the GP on the phone this morning and she's looking to book me in for an early scan pretty much immediately....

Millasaurus · 03/05/2014 11:14

Just an update - I still haven't heard anything from my midwife after leaving her a message 2 days ago explaining the problem.
After lots of phone calls yesterday I finally spoke to a lovely lady at the local hospital who told me that the advice / support I was given from the EPU was unacceptable. I have a blood test today & a scan booked for Tuesday & have been put on 'bedrest' for the time being. All I can do now is pray that everything will be okay on Tuesday.

Thank you all again for the advice & support. It's been greatly appreciated.

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Millasaurus · 03/05/2014 11:14

I hope your scan goes well, Vivipru x

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ViviPru · 03/05/2014 11:42

Thank you, the GP in the end decided after a thorough examination that she was confident I did not need one. I had mixed feelings about that but I am generally reassured and trust her. Take it easy over the next couple of days, Milla and all the best for Tuesday.

Millasaurus · 03/05/2014 15:20

I've just got back from the hospital & a few other tests were done along side the blood test. Sadly, I've lost the baby. Hence the bleeding.

Good luck to everyone with their pregnancies & I wish you all lots of good health & happiness.

Over & out x

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Infinity8 · 03/05/2014 15:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bakingtins · 03/05/2014 15:52

I'm v sorry milla there is lots of support available on the miscarriage board (body and soul section of Talk) if you need a shoulder to cry on.

ikeaismylocal · 03/05/2014 17:43

I'm so sorry about your sad nows :(

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