can I request an early scan?

[onlygirl]

Hi, I had a mmc in Feb this year and last Friday got a bfp. I'm worried about it all happening again.
I've been to the G.P and he has referred me to the hospital but how long does it normally take to receive an appointment? and should I ask for an early scan or do you have to go private for one? I really want to start enjoying this pregnancy and get excited!!

Congratulations!
I had an 8 week scan with DS (I'd had 2 mmc within 6 months prior to that). Definitely ask but it won't be worth doing until 7-8 weeks as there probably won't be anything clear enough to see.

Good luck!!

Thank you, We think I am about 7 weeks. Could you see much at 8 weeks?

Hi, I had a scan at 7 weeks and we could see a small circular blob, with a flickering in the middle (the heartbeat!)

We asked the GP to refer us for an early scan, but they were too busy to see us (I then had bleeding so had to go to the EPAU) so definitely ask, then consider going for a private reassurance scan if they can't fit you in?

Congratulations on the BFP and good luck!

Onlygirl - I think there may still be a copy of my scan photos on my profile if you scroll down. It was fantastic to see the flickering heartbeat at that early scan - v reassuring.

I'm in a similar siuation but my GP wouldn't let me have an early scan on NHS. I paid privately and had a scan yesterday at 7 + 5. It cost £90 but was wonderful - you could see a heart rate and I was told the chances of miscarriage are now less than 5% If you'[re really anxious and GP won't give you one, I'd recommend private if you can afford it. Try and leave it as long as possible so you can see more - we were aiming to leave it until 9 weeks, but couldn't wait as I got myself in a tizzy all was wrong!

I live in SW London and a couple of the local hospitals offer early viability scans for reassurance (especially if you've had a mmc in the past). You don't need to book, just turn up on the allocated day and they will scan you. They suggest waiting until 7 weeks as before then you may not see the heart which would make you worry even if all is well.

With DS2 I had one of theses early NHS scans as I was worried about some things, in this pregnancy I'm going to have one privately (on Wed) as there is nothing wrong (I hope!), I just want the reassurance of seeing a heartbeat.

Good luck with getting one!

Some EPUs accept self-referral, after previous problems, so try calling them directly, and just say how worried and anxious you are.
I had a scan at 7.5 weeks, and saw the heartbeat clearly.

I had a private scan at 8+3 weeks and definitely recommend getting one. Our EPAU will only see you if you've had bleeding or injury with the current pregnancy or you have had 3 consecutive MCs.

I was referred to a special unit at Kings College Hospital (as Celia mentioned, South London), because I had some bleeding. First pregnany, no pain with the bleeding etc. That was at 6 weeks 5 days as it turned out, and we were able to see the blob and the flickering heartbeat very clearly.

But yes, we could have gone without the referral, you just walk in between 10 and 2 on a Monday (I think? It seems ages ago!) and wait your turn. Take a book.

I had a private one at 7 wks, cost us £50 and was a bargain. Could only see a maggot like blob with a flickering heartbeat like a lightbulb, but was very cool!

I am in a similar position to you. Mmc in April and pregnant again. I asked for one but the EPU refused. My doctor was so apologetic about it. I found out you can self-refer to some EPUs (such as homerton). Do a google search for EPU and self-referral. I ended up self-referring as thought it was ectopic. Turned out it was gas! Best time to check is from
eight weeks onwards. Good luck getting a scan. You can always go private if needs be.

I had an ectopic pregnancy in March and am now pregnant again. I had to go in for a scan at 5 weeks to check where the baby was growing. At 5 weeks we could only see the sac and that was only 3.5 mm across. So I then spent two weeks mildly worried and went back at 7 weeks when we was the actual baby, heartbeat and all.

Definitely wait as long as you can...

(waves at angels1)

oooh and get yourself onto one of the MNet anti-natal groups - guess you're due March...? They'll all be going through the same stuff as you and it's lovely to share worries/panic/joy/general excitement...