Dating scan

[Angelyoga]

Hello,
I self referred to my local epu for a dating scan as I have no period (breastfeeding) and my midwife appointment is in 3 weeks time.
Do you think I have any chances or being accepted?

Usually your first dating scan is at 12 weeks isn’t it? Do you have reason to believe you’re further along than that? Or will be by the time of your midwife appointment?

I didn’t know you could do this? EPU is for patients with clinical concerns such as bleeding or pain.

My local EPU wouldn't accept a self referral only through GP or A&E. Then it wouldn't be for dating but for issues. The midwife would get you in early though after the appointment to find out dates if you have no idea.

You need to explain to us further, I assume you’ve had a positive pregnancy test? Do you not know how far along you are - is that the issue?

The epu is usually quite strict in criteria to be seen, you’ll usually only get through the door with bleeding/pain/suspected ectopic etc

I was given a dating scan at my local EPU under similar circumstances but was referred by my GP.

I had these exact circumstances and wasn’t given a dating scan, just a guessed date for the 12 week scan. However I had some bleeding at 6 weeks so ended up getting a scan then where I saw a flicker of a heart beat and they told me how far img they thought I was.

Your post makes no sense, are you pregnant or not?

What date did you get your first positive pregnancy test? Was it a strong line?
Did you get any strong symptoms, and if so what date did they start?

I don't know if your self referral will get you an ultrasound to date you, it probably varies by EPU and how busy they are. But potentially when you see your midwife for your booking appointment in 3 weeks, she might refer you for a scan to date the pregnancy.

I don't get it either... No period whilst breastfeeding is normal, so what's the trigger for the dating scan? Or thinking you're pregnant...?

I read it as she doesn’t know far along she is because she doesn’t have a period. You go from the first day of your last period to estimate due date usually.

Hi all, thanks for the messages. I found out im pregnant last week. I had very strong positive lines on the wondfo strips over several days and also did clearblue with 3+ indication.
The test strip line is kinda less strong today.

I don't know how far along I am as I don't have period. I had bleeding in July, late December and then 2 weeks later, in January.
Tbh I kept missing the ovulation window according to the strip tests and didn't think it's possible to get pregnant. We have been very infrequent with DTD in Feb due to being away for work.

Not sure how I should go about it. Midwifery team will see me end of march with scan scheduled late April, I guess based on the clearblue test. Gp cannot refer me or even see me as its antenatal territory.

Hi I’m a GP. if you haven’t had any periods after your last baby, but have had a positive pregnancy test - then there’s no way of calculating how far along you are with this pregnancy- until your dating scan.
your GP will point you in the right direction to get this USS dating scan and refer you if needed. I would phone your NHS GP first.
Where I have worked usually NHS EPU only scan ladies with urgent pain or bleeding concerns or a history of miscarriage.
Good luck with everything !

Why do you need the scan?
Just wait till your appointment with the midwife and go from there, surely?
EPU has enough to do with women with problems with their pregnancy without doing random dating scans.

Hi!
Unfortunately my gp is not accommodating this request.
As you are under the care of the midwifery team we would not be able to arrange an earlier dating scan appointment for you, so we advise you contact your midwifery team.
The midwifery team doesn't have any availabilities for dating scan.

Because she doesn’t know how pregnant she is. The combined screening done by the NHS is for 11-14 weeks. She may not want to end up too late for that, as the alternative which is offered after 14 weeks is less accurate.

ETA - I’m not saying that therefore the EPU is the correct place. But it’s not unreasonable to want to know how far along you are when screening is dependent on it.

Did you have a negative test at any point before your recent positive?

What were your bleeds in Dec and Jan like - would you say they were proper periods? I know that breastfeeding can make them lighter, but are we talking 3+ days of bleeding, or just 1 day with a bit of spotting?

It's massively likely that either late Dec or sometime in Jan was your LMP.
If it was late Dec (assuming the jan bleed was just spotting) then if you ovulated on time you could be at most 10 weeks now.
If the Jan bleed was a proper period, then more like 8 weeks.

If Dec was your LMP and you are 10 weeks, you have 4 weeks to get a dating scan (IF you want the combined screening - it's less important if not). I would call your midwife back before the booking appointment and tell her that you think waiting until after booking to book a scan will cause you to miss the combined screening window.

If Jan was a proper period, chances are you are fine to do the booking appointment in 3 weeks as planned, and just tell the midwife the best guess at LMP and ask her to make sure the scan is within the window.

Pay £40 and get one privately? Our EPAU is running at about a 4-5 day wait for ladies with bleeding and pain, it's not there for dating scans.

Could you reference the £40 scan clinic in London? I'll book the next available appointment.

Just get a private one, it won’t be more than £100 I wouldn’t have thought.

I think if you can afford it you’ll have to suck up the cost of a private scan. Most will see you after at least 6 weeks, given your 3+ clearblue you’re likely in that time frame. My EPU wouldn’t see you for those reasons I’ll be honest. It’s hard enough to get a scan booked in for complications most days.

I am booked for epu in two weeks.

I cannot afford a private one at that pay rate and NHS gives no other option via the community midwives or gp.

@Angelyoga The EPU is for those who are having early pregnancy issues like bleeding.

It is absolutely not for people who need a dating scan and I'd be surprised if they let you.

The women visiting the EPU are there because they think their pregnancy might have ended.

I would pay for a private scan or just wait for your 12 week scan.

Lots of people get pregnant whilst breastfeeding with sporadic periods.

What if the 12 week scan ends up on week 16?