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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

Anyone insist on and get an extra scan before EPRC?

21 replies

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 11:51

Hi
I am booked in for an EPRC tomorrow morning. But I don't want to have it without an extra scan. Has anyone been able to get a scan before EPRC?

By way of background, I had a scan on Wednesday when I was told there was no heartbeat. The baby was measuring 8 weeks, which is what it should have been measuring (had a scan with a heartbeat at 7 plus 1 the week before). The consultant called in the sonographer to confirm.

There has been no bleeding or cramps. I know this can be normal with missed miscarriage. The baby was the correct measurement for the dates.

I know that they are in all likelihood right. But. I don't have confidence in the consultant (he is sloppy and dismissive), and the sonographer looked at the scan for roughly 2 seconds, and seems to defer to the consultant anyway.

They say there is no need for a further scan - I'm sure they are right. A clear heartbeat a week before, with no heartbeat a week later measuring a week bigger is good proof of mc I know. But they do get it wrong sometimes. I want reassurance.

Do you think they will give me a scan tomorrow, or will I have no option but to go private? Could I self refer to another EPU or would the GP refer me somewhere else? It's my third mc by the way - the others were "natural" and complete.

OP posts:

MrsGiraffe12 · 02/06/2013 15:18

I did. Mines a bit different to you, had a scan at what I knew was 100% 8 weeks but baby was measuring 5 weeks. Had one a week later (so knew 100% was 9 weeks). Scan at 8 weeks showed a 5 week baby with faint heart best, scan at 9 weeks showed 5 week baby with no heartbeat. Prior to ERPC next day I insisted they checked to be site and they did. Thought in think I'd depends on NHS area etc. pm me if you want to chat about anything. Thinking of you donttrythisathome xx

nipersvest · 02/06/2013 15:28

i was in a very similar situation, heartbeat at 9 weeks, no heartbeat at 11 weeks, missed m/c was diagnosed. i did ask about an additional scan on the morning of the eprc but was told no, it was not necessary.

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 16:47

Hi, so sorry to hear about your experiences. It is horrible
. Thanks for the responses. I expect them to say no to a scan in the morn, but I found a few newspaper articles about the Trust getting it wrong and changing their policy to 2 scans a week apart, so will quote this at them. Fingers crossed.
My fear (besides terminating a healthy pregnancy) is that if I don't take this appointment for the EPRC, then I'll have to wait ages for another slot or will mc naturally and won't then be able to get the tissues tested - but a risk worth taking I think

OP posts:

petra27 · 02/06/2013 16:59

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this.

I had a MMC diagnosed at the 20 week scan and was booked in for an ERPC 3 days later.

I asked for a second scan to check as I was in shock at the 20 week scan appointment and didn't take it in properly and they said no, two sonographers had checked so there was no chance of a mistake.

Whilst I am sure they were right about this, it was enormously difficult psychologically to go ahead without having that other scan.

(As it turns out the PM on the baby did show it had been deceased for some time beforehand which gave me a bit of peace of mind about the ERPC without another scan, but this result only came through two months afterwards when we got the findings).

Since this happened I have had other medical stuff around subsequent Miscarriages and I have ceased to be compliant when I am not in agreement with the treatment, whether they say it is in my best interests or not.

I am naturally quite a quiet and self effacing person who doesn't like to cause a fuss, but I have learnt to make a fuss when necessary because I would rather look after my psychological health even if it means feeling like i'm being 'demading' or 'difficult' from the doctors pov.

If you feel you need the extra scan, make them give it to you, regardless of how much they try and refuse.

And I'm sorry you are in this position.

janek · 02/06/2013 17:16

When i had a mmc i had the first scan at 12 weeks, then it was confirmed the following week that there was no heartbeat, then we talked about management. In your position i would want another scan (even though i hated having to stay 'pregnant' and not have a beer to drown my sorrows just is case the baby was okay after all. Seems weird that they just have a quick glance to confirm something so important.

TheAccidentalExhibitionist · 02/06/2013 17:30

I think it depends on your area. I had MMCs in Bristol and I was offered another scan before each ERPC. I didn't want to though as I could see there was no heartbeat on the scan so they were obvious.

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 17:30

Thanks petra , you are so right not to be compliant. What a terrible thing for you - 20 weeks.

janek your management sounds so much better than mine (still so hard though).

OP posts:

MoodyDidIt · 02/06/2013 17:40

sorry to hear about this OP

sounds like an already shitty experience is being made worse by not very nice medical staff :(

i had a MMC with twins 6 weeks ago, had an early scan as was bleeding, they found no heartbeat but i had to wait another week before havng another scan which confirmed it. so i am surprised they would go straight to erpc without another scan. i would push for one tbh but not sure how you would go about it. sorry not much help

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 19:26

theaccidental The scan was turned away from me and they didn't discuss it with me at all, apart from saying " I'm sorry".

moody they did give me a second scan straight after the first, but I wold find it much more reassuring if I got one tomorrow and they said there was o heartbeat AND no growth since the last scan.

OP posts:

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 19:28

And so sorry to hear about all your experiences

OP posts:

MikeLitoris · 02/06/2013 19:35

They really should be scannig you at least one week later.

I have been in the same situation 4 times and always had at least one repeat scan.

Tell them you dont want to procedure done until you have been scanned again.

I'm really sory for you. Mc is an utterly shitty thing to happen.

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 19:40

Thanks, Wow, I'm so glad I posted now, it's great to get moral support.

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TheAccidentalExhibitionist · 02/06/2013 19:48

There is massive variation between hospitals unfortunately. I'm sorry you've had a shit experience, it's bad enough anyway.
I think it's extremely unlikely that you have a viable pregnancy but you ought to ask for another scan tomorrow if you have any doubts.

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 02/06/2013 19:50

I think it is highly unlikely too, but know it will haunt me forever if I don't make absolutely sure.

OP posts:

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 03/06/2013 20:18

I got my scan with no hassle (part from the midwife from saturday loudly saying I don't need a scan to the midwife who was looking after me - :-p)

Showed same size (according to sonographer) foetus and she showed me how there was no bloodflow and heartbeat, so I was happy to go ahead with procedure. Confusingly when I read my notes on the way to day surgery from the EPU the scan note from today said gestation age was 9 plus 1 (whereas it was 8 plus 4 last week when mmc first diagnosed). This freaked me, but the actual measurement hadn't changed, and also had seen the scan this time.

V upset after procedure, but feel good now, and ready to get fit, get some energy and enjoy life a bit. And try again asap.

Thanks everyone. x

OP posts:

nectarini1983 · 03/06/2013 20:35

I always think its better to stand your ground.....seems the only way to get any decent care in the nhs.....!

I found out my baby son had died at 17 weeks at a routine midwife appointment when she couldn't find a heartbeat. This was in january. I was sent to the hospital and a consultant and sonographer confirmed after doing a scan that he had died. In the three days between finding out and going to be induced i continued to feel movements in my tummy which I felt sure were baby movements (my third baby). On the day I went to take the first tablet to start the induction I told the consultant and she didnt hesitate to re scan me straight away before i took any medication. She just queue jumped me straight ahwad of all the routine scans immediately. Sadly it was the same bad news but it was one less thing for me to beat myself up about had I not asked...another what if? Or if only? . ...if that makes sense.

Id say stand your ground and insist on what you want, or need to know to try to get you thru this horrible time.

nectarini1983 · 03/06/2013 20:36

Glad you got it confirmed, sadly. Good luck moving forward.

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 03/06/2013 20:38

Yes, pyschologically it is very important to be beyond doubt. Sounds very distressing for you. I was queue jumped too - it's amazing what you get when you ask.

The one positive thing from this is the fabulous support I am getting on mn. None of my friends around me have been in this particular boat, so it is isolating. I have only told one of them, and haven't even told my family as they are far away and my mother will just tell me I am too old anyway.

OP posts:

petra27 · 03/06/2013 22:45

don't try, I'm glad you got your scan & feel a bit better now it is over.
I am thinking of you.
Good luck with the TTC

Original poster

donttrythisathome · 04/06/2013 08:46

Thanks petra. I hope it goes well for you too.

OP posts:

MoodyDidIt · 04/06/2013 11:43

sorry to hear that :(

but at least you got your scan and you know for your own peace of mind.

thinking of you, look after yourself and good luck ttc again when you are ready x

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