Early scans post miscarriage

[AKP79]

I had a missed miscarriage over Christmas. It was a long drawn out episode, we found out on Christmas eve that our baby had stopped growing, a week later I had the medically managed miscarriage, this was painful, but I retained some tissue, so three weeks after that I had to have the surgical removal.

I now find myself 5w5d pregnant, which is amazing, but scary at the same time. I am constantly worrying about symptoms and more so the lack of them.

My DH doesn't want to have an early private scan, I think he found the whole scan process really traumatic and can't bear the thought of going through it again. I'm also very anxious about the thought of a scan.

I just wondered what others, who have been in similar situations, think about early scanning? A big part of me would like a reassurance scan, but then another part of me thinks it would be pointless because is it realistically going to stop the worry? I don't think my anxiety will reduce until that 12 week marker.

[CarrotVan]

Did the EPU or Gynae unit who managed the MMC not talk to you about monitoring in subsequent pregnancies? It's not uncommon to have a reassurance scan following a previous MC - usually around 7-9 wks. Might be worth calling the EPU to check if that's available to you.

[AKP79]

No they didn't, but I might call them. My mum works with the midwife that we've been assigned to and asked her for me if EPU would scan me. The midwife said that they wouldn't and she didn't see the point in early scans, which has made me feel a bit silly for wanting one.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

it's very much personal preference, but following my MC I was pregnant again 3 weeks later, DP and I were offered areassurance scan at 7 weeks, but
we knew that we'd only be worrying again afterwards in that stretch to 12 weeks, so decided not to cause ourselves extra stress.

My first scan was at 13 weeks and I was so glad that we waited, but if you want an earlier scan OPask, and if they say no, there are companies that do them very reasonably price wise.

Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy

[AKP79]

Thanks Whatthe it's good to know that you felt you did the right thing waiting. This is exactly how we are feeling that actually would we stop worrying just because we had a scan at 7-8 weeks. But then the other part of me is worried about another MMC. I had no pain or bleeding when we found out at a 10 week scan (private scan) and for the week after finding out still no pain or bleeding, but the baby had stop growing at around 7 weeks... the thought of going all the way to a 12 week scan and finding out the same petrifies me.

I had been thinking really positively about this pregnancy, but for some reason over the last few days the negative demons have crept in. I think it's my lack of any real symptoms which are causing the worry, but then last time I had symptoms right up until my managed miscarriage so that doesn't mean anything.

Sorry I'm rambling!...

[tapismagique]

After my missed miscarriage (detected at the 12 week scan in August) i was offered early scans in future at the EPU and have had 2 so far in this pregnancy - one at 5 weeks to check the pregnancy wasn't ectopic, and 1 yesterday (8w4d) to check 'fetal wellbeing'. Though it doesn't stop you worrying, in my case it has certainly reduced the worry. And my pregnancy symptoms had faded last week (now back with a vengeance) so I was glad to know I only had to wait a few days for the early scan rather than a whole month.

[AKP79]

I decided to call the EPU to find out what the protocol was so that I knew what my choices were and they've said that they will only do a reassurance scan if I am referred by my GP. So I would imagine that means I'd only be referred if there was a problem.

Every niggle or twinge I get I'm on high alert. I'm currently sat here undecided about whether I can feel a pulling pain in my low down on the right... Feel really cross with myself I felt far more in control a few days ago, don't know why I've suddenly become so anxious.

[tapismagique]

If you go to the GP and remind them about the mmc they may well refer you to the EPU for an early scan - mine did. It doesn't have to be because of an immediate problem (after all, an mmc is the opposite - our bodies didn't tell us about the problem)

[AKP79]

Thanks you tapis my GP is lovely, just impossible to get an appointment with. I'm sure if I managed to get in and see her, just discussing my anxieties would probably help. I might try and get an appointment and see what she thinks is best.

[AKP79]

I'm only 5w5d so I haven't told GP or midwife department yet anyway. The midwife my mum works with said not to worry about telling anyone until I'm 6-7 weeks.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

I'm reeeeeeally hoping all is well for you this time OP. I'll never forget that 13wk scan, I was so sure there wasn't going to be anything there so when I saw her on the screen I burst into enormous great sobs of relief, and I knew I'd done the right thing waiting.

I know that all ok at 12 weeks is no guarantee but the wait to 20 weeks was far easier knowing we'd got that far, and after 20 weeks I felt able to relax a bit and enjoy it.

Hand holding is available if you want it

[Lola154]

Hi everyone wonder if I could get some advice . due my period on 23rd march still no sign took to test came back negative on 17th on march I had ligh brown blood when I wiped and disappeared I have had al the usal period symptoms . it's now 5th April still no sign I have had serious pains on 1 side of my tummy had take night of work and put down to period coming . nope still no period . pain's away just comes back some times . my siter found out she was pregnant last year took test went hospital took test again came up neg told she had miss then 8 weeks later her tube busted and was ectopic pregnancy . and found this online advice welcome please

[AKP79]

Thank you whatthe means a lot xx

lola I have no experience of an eptopic and am confused about whether you know you're pregnant or not. I think if you are and you have pain then you should speak to a professional.

[SaltySeaBird]

I had reassurance scans following my first miscarriage. I have other medical issues though so was closely monitored.

My second pregnancy (resulting in DD) they were really helpful in stopping me from being a complete headcase - I had them at 6, 8 and 10 weeks. I arranged them direct with my EPAU.

My third pregnancy I had them at 6 and 8 weeks. I miscarriaged two days after my 8 week scan though which had been fine, right size and heartbeat.

I realised then that the scans only offer reassurance for the day you have them - things change so quickly in those first 12 weeks.

For my fourth pregnancy (DS) I had scans at 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 weeks but they were for reasons outside of reassurance and not done via EPAU. I actually had 17 scans throughout the pregnancy. Again those early ones only really offered reassurance for the day they were done but I was grateful to have them - I'd personally find it hard to wait until 12 weeks.

[AprilShowers16]

I have a mc at 5 weeks and then got pregnant again a couple of months later. Same as whatthe I'll never forget that 12 weeks scan - I was so convinced and anxious and in the verge of tears thinking there would be nothing there and then suddenly a baby appeared on the screen and she said straight away 'there's the heartbeat' it was such a relief I burst into tears.

I was so anxious in the lead up and still anxious in the weeks that followed it, only now at 25 weeks when I can feel him an I starting to feel a bit more confident. I guess for those of us who go through miscarriages the innocence is lost and we can't go back to care free pregnancy, but try to remember that in most cases your next pregnancy is fine. I wasn't offered an early scan, to be honest I think I would have been just as anxious after it waiting for 12 weeks

[Floweroct2]

It's a really difficult one, I had three miscarriages before this pregnancy (now 33w). The first one was a mmc, the second happened at 5/6 weeks so didn't get to think about a scan. The third we had a good scan at 7/8 weeks but then mc at 10 weeks and it was quite hard having seen the first scan. As others have said its only reassuring on the day but as long as you know that then it might be worth it. Really hoping everything works out for you x

[Cass168]

Hello AKP79, I had a mc in January and am now also 5w5d too! Congratulations on your pregnancy
I'm trying to stay positive but time seems to be passing agonisingly slowly. I mc at 8 wks last time so that's my first milestone. My main concern at the moment is that my cervix is ridiculously low (I was having physio for it before ttc).

[AKP79]

Hi cass congratulations to you too! My miscarriage completed in Jan, so we must be totally in sync ovulation wise!

Are you going to have an early scan?

I think it's the slow passing of time that's getting to me too. If you want a pregnancy buddy feel free to drop me a message.

[SolomanDaisy]

I don't think an early scan stops the worrying, but it did drastically reduce it for me. I mc my first pregnancy and with DS I had a scan at 7-8 weeks. I did feel much less worried after it. Chances of miscarriage go down to something like 5% if you see a heartbeat at 8 weeks, so I found it very reassuring. I still felt very scared before the 12 and 20 week scans, nothing is going to take that fear away. I remember doing natal hypnotherapy breathing waiting to go in for the 20 week scan! I'm pregnant again and have an early scan booked again.

[shopaholic85]

Congratulations OP and I am sorry for your loss. I had an mc in Jan and now 5wks pregnant. I've opted to have a private scan and booked in for one at 7+3. It was mainly because I couldn't bear the thought of waiting until 12 weeks, but also because I never saw a heartbeat before and, whatever happens, I would like that memory. I'm really hoping it will take some of the anxiety away.