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Conception

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Original poster

Will my next pregnancy be considered a "first" pregnancy in terms of appointments

14 replies

inthewest · 11/03/2023 11:27

Probably too early to ask this as I'm currently waiting for my missed miscarriage surgical removal on Monday, but...

Will I still get the same number of appointments as a woman does with her first pregnancy? I was diagnosed with a missed miscarriage yesterday at my 12 week scan. Also, will I get an early NHS scan? I don't really want to miscarry again at 8-9 weeks and find out I've been carrying it around for 5 weeks when I'm scanned at 12 weeks.

Also, if anyone can offer any positive comments on getting pregnant and having a baby after a surgical management due to missed miscarriage that would be greatly appreciated. Trying to look online seems to only turn up inflated stats clearly targeting and scaring women who chose to terminate their pregnancies.

OP posts:

TakeMe2Insanity · 11/03/2023 11:29

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Miscarriage is tough. Generally you’ll have to list this pregnancy as a pregnancy. You generally get extra scans if you get referred to the Repeat Miscarriage Clinic after 3 miscarriages in a row.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 11/03/2023 11:34

@inthewest I am so sorry for your loss. It must have been so tough to get all the way to the 12 week scan to find this out.

I'm not sure about NHS but you can book early scans privately if you are in a position to do this. They start at 6 to 8 weeks and are approx £70 to £80 each. I had one on DC1 as had early bleeding and was never offered a early scan on NHS but all was ok.

Take care of yourself

Twizbe · 11/03/2023 11:36

I'm sorry for your loss.

If and when you are pregnant again you'll be recorded as second pregnancy but first baby.

You will get the usual first baby appointments as you've not gone beyond 12 weeks and the extra appointments all happen after then.

Early scan, not likely offered, but you can self refer to an EPU via a&e so you can access one if you need one.

Original poster

inthewest · 11/03/2023 11:38

Thanks. We had one right before baby stopped growing, I was hoping that NHS would offer one as we don't want to keep paying for scans if it doesn't amount to anything.

Any idea if I'll still get the additional first baby appointments? I didn't make it to these this time around as we didn't get to this weeks and the next time if I manage to keep it, it will be my first time having a pregnancy at those points.

OP posts:

Twizbe · 11/03/2023 11:41

Yes you will as it's your first baby even if not your first pregnancy.

smellyflowers · 11/03/2023 11:42

Yes, it will be your first time to that stage so you will get it.

mumof1or2 · 11/03/2023 11:43

I can offer a positive comment! I had a missed miscarriage at 17 weeks in September 2021 and had to have surgical management. By the following July I was pregnant again and I've had lots of extra appointments, scans every 4 weeks (although no early one) and I'm due in the next couple of weeks. The extra care/appointments I've had are due to the midwife referring me to the rainbow clinic at my local maternity unit. Not sure if every NHS Trust has one but would be worth asking about. It was a voluntary referral and I wasn't sure about it at first but the extra scans and consultant appointments have been SO reassuring.

I remember how devastated I was when they found the missed miscarriage at a routine scan, so sending you lots of love and hugs. Give yourself time to process what's happened and then try again when you feel ready. I was 42 when I had mine so I thought it was my last chance - this current pregnancy was a complete surprise and feels like a miracle!

AlexRobin · 11/03/2023 11:50

I had a missed miscarriage found at my 12 week scan then had surgical management and got pregnant 2 months after the surgery.
I didn't have any extra appointments and it was referred to as my first pregnancy but like you I would definitely have liked an early scan and I was very close to booking a private one but decided to wait
Sorry you are going through this x

AnonymousArabella · 11/03/2023 11:53

I’m really sorry for what you are going through.

Yes you will still get all the ‘first baby’ midwife appointments as they happen later than 12 weeks. And anyway midwives have some discretion - I lost my second baby quite late in pregnancy and then had all the first baby appointments again the next time (& some extras) as my midwife knew how worried I was.

Original poster

inthewest · 11/03/2023 12:02

Thank you @AnonymousArabella @AlexRobin and @mumof1or2 for your positive words, they are really helpful.

My husband is like "why do you need to know these things now?", but I think it's my way of coping at the moment. The wait until Monday is eating me up. Thank god for the helpful emergency gynae doctors and nurses for reassuring this is the best procedure for my circumstances.

OP posts:

ChristmasSirens · 11/03/2023 12:13

You should get all the appointments as though you hadn’t had a previous pregnancy. They will ask you how many pregnancies you have had and how they ended.

In terms of an early scan, after two miscarriages most EPUs will offer a reassurance scan at around 6/7 weeks. You will probably need to get your GP to refer you.

Maternity services / midwives won’t see you much before 10-12 weeks though.

WonderingWanda · 11/03/2023 12:13

I'm sorry for your loss @inthewest . I had the same experience with my first pregnancy. I went on to have 2 healthy babies and one more very early miscarriage. I found it very tough with my second pregnancy, especially when I experienced bleeding. My midwife sent me to the epu for an early scan so that I didn't have to wait till 12 weeks, turned out all was well. I'm not sure I really believed it would be ok until I actually had my baby in my arms

ChristmasSirens · 11/03/2023 12:15

On a less practical note, be very very kind to yourself. Pregnancy after loss is incredibly hard emotionally for many people and you won’t necessarily feel all the happy things those more fortunate with pregnancy get to feel throughout the process.

Good luck, there is so much hope out there, lots of people conceive and have normal pregnancies after miscarriages. 💐

TunnocksTCake · 13/03/2023 14:10

Hi op, firstly I am so sorry you are going through this, I had a MMC back in 2019 and I can remember the feeling as clear as day. It really is devastating and you need to give your mind and body time to heal afterwards. I was signed off work for 2 weeks after my D&C which is 100% needed.

In my experience, I had all the usual first baby appointments with my successful pregnancy but zero extra scans on the nhs. I did have a number of private ones though as I was so nervous. I had a MMC in July 2019, cycles were very long and confused (but I was ovulating) for 3 months after that. Had 2 chemicals in November and December 2019 then got pg with my daughter immediately after that in Jan 2020. I didnt do anything different particularly to get pg with her I think in my case it was just chromosomal and bad luck.
I went to my Dr after each one and was not offered any additional help or reassurance, I think the extras completely depend on the area you are in and the Dr you see. I was too weak at the time to advocate for myself but I wish I had pushed for more support.
Best of luck and take care of yourself. the surgery itself is not too bad, its the emotional side I struggled with the most.

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