Should I book a 6 week scan?

[pollyparrot45]

I found out I was pregnant last week. I'd be 5 weeks yesterday by LMP.

I tested after what I thought was my period ended up just being 5 days of spotting.

The light bleeding has continued and today my nausea and back pain have disappeared.

I've spoken to out of hours GP who basically said call back in January if it persists.

I want to book a private scan to find out if the pregnancy is viable (I know it's not looking good) I can get one on Jan 4th which would make me 6 +1.

Is it worth (the nearly £100?) or will it be too early for a heartbeat anyway?

Congratulations!

I had an early scan with both of my pregnancies. Money well spent for peace of mind in my opinion.

Just do some research on where you're going. Turns out basically anyone can open up a clinic & scan with very little experience! There are more & more popping up.

Yes it's hard isn't it. I had an early scan with my 1st pregnancy but at EPU. They were excellent but it's obvious I'm not getting any support from GP this time around.

I had a later scan with a clinic and they were fine but it was just a 4D one for my own benefit as was over 20 weeks and no problems identified. Know idea if they actually knew what they were doing.

Is there anything specific to check?

I would ring the EPU yourself and talk to them about your concerns

I've tried EPU & they work on a referral only basis here :(

I know they won't scan until 6 weeks but I thought they might do the blood tests.

I'll try the GP again on Wednesday. I'm isolating at the moment just to add to the misery! I finish on the 29th unless I start testing negative suddenly.

My symptoms have completely gone and I just don't feel pregnant anymore

Have you tried going via 111 for an EPU referral? If not might be worth a try

The GP I spoke to was OOH from 111 online call back.

My own GP surgery has closed until January except for urgent care or cancer symptoms due to staff shortages.

It's all just shit!

Don't worry about the pregnancy symptoms, that doesn't mean anything. Also don't worry about a light bleed.

It might be better to wait until 7 weeks, if there's no heartbeat at 6 weeks you'll be devastated when it could just mean the baby took longer than expected to implant and is a couple of days younger than you thought.

Now do go straight to hospital if you have pain and / or a big bleed as that could mean an ectopic.

Even a small bleed should be enough for a referral to the epu. (and I personally trust the nhs a lot more than private clinics). People have suggested 111 but it might be worth trying the maternity hotline for your hospital, it should be answered by a midwife.

Sending you lots of hugs. Not knowing is really hard but equally just tell yourself that it's not over until it's over if you know what I mean. As long as there's hope try to focus on that.

Lots of love

I had one on Friday, based on LMP I was 6 weeks + 1, they actually dated me at 4 weeks + 4 so couldn’t see anything other than a gestational and yolk sac and basically told me to come back in 2 weeks. I’d wait if you can as it could be a wasted trip and could cause more anxiety as you’d then have to wait 2 weeks like me to find out if it’s even viable!

I would not touch a private company when there’s a question mark about viability/ health. I was 11 weeks and had had some spotting at 8 weeks, viable heart beat seen at EPU. It was the twixt Xmas and new year and was desperate to be seen when I started spotting again. Went to a baby bond place to be told no heartbeat, probably stopped the day before. They were AWFUL with me. No empathy, no advice on what to do and rushed out the door without informing the girl on the desk who then tried to book me in for a gender scan. Left in floods of tears only for my phone to ping with ‘congratulations here’s some pics from your ultrasound’. They are not medical professionals even though some sonographers are are moonlighting from the NHS. They’re still not patient centred as it’s a business geared to selling, not women’s health.
Wait for EPU to see you

Well EPU are not going to see me. The GP made it quite clear that as I don't have a history of recurrent loses and I don't have significant pain or heavy bleeding the EPU will not see me here.

Apparently they're busier than average and running a reduced service and are not offering any appointments unless the is a medical risk & I'll be waiting for a 12 week scan but the GP warned that there's also a back log so it'll likely be more like 14 weeks.

I don't see that I have any option but to book private.

I'm sorry to those that have had such bad experiences. That's not ok.

I think on balance waiting would be worse but perhaps I'll wait until 7 weeks to hopefully atleast get confirmation either way