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When is the earliest they can scan? / 2nd booking appt

8 replies

ayria · 08/12/2015 12:35

I just found out I'm pregnant with my second. I had some odd bleeds before I knew. Then done 2 tests, and the same day had a heavy bleed. I've been to the docs, he said wait a couple weeks before a scan. I'm about 7ish weeks. Do I go back to the GP or ring the EPU myself?

Also... what happens in the booking in appointment with your 2nd baby? Do they have your previous medical records/birth notes or do you have to go over it all again?

I was on my own the first time, went with my sister but she sat outside. But this time I have my dp, will he have to sit outside? Could he come in half way through or something?

TIA

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PrincessPunzie · 08/12/2015 12:52

They can scan you and detect a heartbeat at 7 weeks, certainly. I was about 7 weeks (though thought I was 6 at the time) when I had a bleed and was referred to the EPU for a scan. Perhaps you could self-refer? I'm not sure. Mine was done without the doctor's involvement via the non-emergency NHS line (111) because it happened on a weekend. It seems mean of the doc to make you wait, because at least a scan would give you an idea of what's going on. I'd have climbed the walls if I'd had to spend two weeks post-bleed wondering what might be going on!

I can't help with the second baby thing (I'm expecting my first) but I didn't bring my husband to my booking-in appointment and won't be taking him to subsequent midwife appointments - you don't really need to bring anyone and I suspect he'd probably be quite bored! That said I imagine the midwife would let him attend if that's what you wanted.

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PeasinPod1 · 08/12/2015 13:29

OP they can give you an internal scan which should be able to confirm all is ok. I also had early bleeds with this pregnancy, now 17 weeks and all fine. I am also preg with 2nd and wandered that with booking but nope, had to go through everything again, though as all was fine with 1st preg it made things easier/quicker with noting it down, was out in around 45 mins compared to 2 hours last time.

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seven201 · 08/12/2015 13:40

Some epu's only allow referral through gp, not even midwife. Mine only allows gp referrals and took a few days to get it booked in. If you google epu it will give a list of them and their referral rules. I had an internal scan just before 6 weeks because of bleeding. It seems a bit mean to not let you. You could always pay for a private scan if they won't let you go to the epu? It's around £60 I think.

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PeasinPod1 · 08/12/2015 13:55

OP- where are you based/which part of country?

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ayria · 08/12/2015 14:31

The reason he said to wait a few weeks was because he said they're a bit iffy taking women too early as they sometimes have to see you twice.

I'm in the East Midlands. I can't go to the hospital where I had my son, so going to a different one. I've just looked and it looks like I can refer myself - do they always do an internal scan before 12wks?

And I would like to know that things that happened previously wont be mentioned by the midwife, until she asks 'what happened' and I answer. Rather than her saying 'It looks like you had...' without asking me first. So I'd rather her not reel off my whole life story without asking certain questions. If you see what I mean.

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PrincessPunzie · 08/12/2015 14:36

It's certainly possible to have an external scan at seven weeks (I did) but I know of other people who were given internal ones at a similar stage in their pregnancy, so I guess it depends on the individual EPU.

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KatyN · 08/12/2015 16:27

I moved authorities between my first and second babies, about 15 miles! The mw did not have my notes from my first or know anything about what happened. It was quite annoying actually as my first labour was traumatic and resulted in quite a poorly baby and I had to keep telling the mw the story as I saw a different one each time.
I was referred to epu at 9 weeks for an external scan. I phoned the mw and she left me the paperwork to collect on my way to the hospital.

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ayria · 08/12/2015 17:14

I found my first birth traumatic also, and I would like to be able to express my concern about being sent back to the same hospital and wanting a home birth.

Which I think is why I'm not keen on an internal scan due to previous trauma. I had my first appt at the birthing centre last time but I've read they can do it at the GP surgery - can I ask they book it there beforehand as I don't drive either?