Early scanning after miscarriage.... advise please!

[LullyMummaOfOne]

Hi, Im only 5 week pregnant but suffered a MMC back in July at 7 weeks. I didnt realise this had happened until 8 weeks when i had slight pains in my side and by the time i had tests i ended up being 9 weeks when the ERPC took place.

Anyway im overjoyed that i have fallen pregnant with no problems but at the back of my mind im also worried about MC again, completly natural i know.

The thing is my GP said there is no reason why i should have an early scan at 8 weeks as the chanced of having 2 MC are very low. So im now wondering if i should go private and pay £140 to see if everying is ok. I know it will be money well spent and will pu my mind at rest but the thing is its £140 that i dont really have.

Im just wondering what others would do in my shoes, taking in to account that money is tight right now.

Advise is much appreciated- thanks

[Iloveautumn]

Sorry to hear about your m/c - have been in your shoes so I understand how you're feeling.

The only thing I would say is that even if you do pay for an early scan it is no guarantee that everything will be alright after the early scan and before your 12 week scan. So it may not actually make you feel better anyway.

I had a mmc which was discovered at my 12 week scan, but I had already had a "good" scan result at 8 weeks....

£140 is a lot of money - personally I would wait it out.

[cuttingmeownthroatdibblaaaargh]

I'd see if you can get a cheaper scan - some places do a 'reassurance' scan for much less than the detailed nuchal scan type - I paid 75 a couple of years ago. Personally, I found pg after missed miscarriage very difficult, and an early scan at least lets you feel more in control.

[MmeTussaudsChmberOfChocHobnobs]

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I don't know the situation in UK, but I have heard that some hospitals have Early Pregnancy Units. Perhaps you could ask your GP about that? I am sure there will be a UK MNetter who knows about how you get a referral.

He sounds as if he is not very supportive, I had 2 m/c before I had DD and my gynae scanned me much more often than normal to give me peace of mind.

Good luck

[Iloveautumn]

Re the EPUs - it is v unlikely after one m/c that you would be referred there, unless you had bleeding or some other symptom to be concerned about. Or a very sympathetic doctor who was willing to risk the wrath of the EPU to refer you for no real reason.

An alternative is blood tests to check your hcg levels are rising - but again, your dr may not be inclined to do this unless you have negative symptoms.

It's a horrible time, I do sympathise - but the odds are in your favour....

[CookieMonster2]

I'd just hold out for as long as you can. The 12 week scan might come quicker than you think. I had a mc last year so was obviously very nervous when I got pregnant again. However, I knew that a scan at 8 weeks would only show me that everything was OK at 8 weeks, I mc at 12 weeks before. In a rare moment of usefullness my midwife offerred to look for the hb at 9 weeks with a dopler, and found it! I did find this reassuring but I am still glad I waited til 12 weeks for the scan.

[LullyMummaOfOne]

Thanks for all your advise, the thing is at the scan when i found out about the MMC it was confirmed that the sac was empty, there was no fetus present just a empty sac. I already have a 2yr little boy so know i can carry to full term.

I know that a scan at 8 weeks can not guarantee that at the 12 week scan everything will be ok but i just want to know that there is a fetus present with this pregnancy.

I have just found on the babybond web site they do early scans for £95, it just means traveling a little further.

I still have 4 weeks to decide i guess, im trying not to get stressed but the worry is horrible.

thanks again

[MmeTussaudsChmberOfChocHobnobs]

I did not know that you had to have problems to get referred to the EPU, thanks for clearing that up.

I guess I would hold off on the scan if I were you, it is a lot of money.

Thing is, there is nothing that you can do, except hope that everything goes well this time around. Havign the earlier scan will not prevent a m/c, it would just give you peace of mind for a moment. And after the scan is before the scan, iykwim.

I am sorry to say that I did not have as relaxed a pregnancy with DD and DS after having the m/cs. You will always be a bit nervous and worried, but then once you have your baby, that will not change. Motherhood to me seems to be a lot about worrying, even now when they are 6 and 4yo.

[Iloveautumn]

I totally understand how you feel, it's a horrible feeling wondering if you're even carrying a baby at all . In that case an early scan may well make you feel better.

I hate hate hate the first trimester!!! You just have to get through it any way you can.

[stripeywoollenhat]

i had a mmc in january at ten weeks, but it seems the pregnancy had stopped at about 6-7 weeks. i had a private scan at 7.5 weeks with this pregnancy because i couldn't bear the thought of thinking i was pregnant when i wasn't again. seeing the heartbeat, even though i knew it was still possible i would lose the pregnancy, was such a relief that it was worth the money to me. but i didn't really relax until the twelve week scan.

not sure that's any help, really...

[SolosWhompingWillow]

After 12 years of trying to become pg, my first pg ended in Mmc and it was a further 2 years before I was pg again and I know exactly where you are coming from. Please try not to panic and worry too much, though I know just where you are at with that. A scan will not make a difference to anything except to allow you to know that all is well ATM. In a few weeks, when things are more likely to definitely be progressing well, you will have your scan and will be more assured and for better reason. I hope I've made some sense here. Good luck, I'm quite sure you'll be fine. kind

[voituredepompier]

I suffered a miscarriage at 9 weeks. When I fell pregnant again, like you I wanted the reassurance that all was OK. Go back to your GP and however much you don't like this suggestion, really ham it up to get a referral to your EPU. I managed to get a scan at 6 weeks by which time a heartbeat should be able to be detected but maybe better to wait a couple more weeks as if no heartbeat is picked up it might be because its too early or again something has gone wrong.

I said I was getting a lot of lower abdominal pain (I was a bit but far more so when I had my MC) and wanted some peace of mind that all was OK. Even if you do get a good early scan, it's still feels like an eternal wait until the 12 weeks can, the 20 week scan....

[TheBlonde]

Some EPUs you can self refer to and just for a reassurance scan, you don't need to be bleeding
www.earlypregnancy.org.uk/FindUs1.asp

[LullyMummaOfOne]

I have been booked in for an early assessment scan on the 15th Nov, i will be 8 weeks by then. I feel better just by knowing that i have an opt then. My fingers are crossed for a grea scan result. thanks

[MerlinsBeard]

so far i have only read the OP but i too had a MMC and was told that if i did have an early scan (8/9 weeks ish) then i would NOT be given the 13ish week one. we couldn't have afforded a private scan and didn't want the joy of everything being ok only to find that something has happened after that date

Everything turned out fine though but i literally crossed every day off the calender

[MerlinsBeard]

oh just read that you have got an early scan. will you be able tio have the 13 week one as well?

have you seen the pregnancy after miscarriage thread?(think its in pregnancy)

[LullyMummaOfOne]

Hi mumofmonster, i have booked in for a private scan so that wont effect my 12 week dating scan. Im sure the money will appear from somewhere but at the moment im just trying not to focus to much on any bad thoughts!

I have been on a few treads here, some have been very helpful.