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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How do I wangle an early scan??

46 replies

Cheekychops29 · 28/04/2012 14:55

I had a mc due to blighted ovum previously, and am pregy again! I realise everything could be ok this time but piece of mind that I have a baby growing would be fantastic! Any advice would be great! I've asked te gp but all he said was that the mw are the ones who decide on scans! Spoke to her on the phone and she said that only the consultant can make that decision. Is there a sure fired way that I can bag an early scan that you know of? Thanks

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McPhee · 28/04/2012 15:02

Could you pay for a private one?

KateSpade · 28/04/2012 15:09

I had a scan at about 6 weeks maybe before that. I had crippling stomache pains & I mean horrendous! I didn't know I was pregnant & honestly though I was going to die. Anyway after weeks of bloodtests ect, I found out I was pregnant & they said we have no idea what's wrong with you, so we'll send you for a scan to see what's happening with the baby.
So maybe try stomache pains?
I am not advocating lying to the doctors, btw. Especially not in pregnancy.

luckysocks · 28/04/2012 15:12

tbh, I think you'll have to pay if you want one!

I was worried at about 17 weeks this time as baby had been kicking and wriggling but I hadn't felt her for a cpl of days. MW tried to refer me to hosp for a check but they wouldn't scan before 20 weeks for that sort of thing (luckily MW got me to come into the surgery, had a quick listen, and the heartbeat was clear so I could stop worrying).

I empathise though, the beginning is so hard when you just want to know that everything is OK. Somebody might have some different advice that's more like what you want to hear!

minipie · 28/04/2012 15:16

Where are you?

My local hospital (SW London) has an early preg unit and will offer early scans on a walk in basis (ie you can self refer as well as being referred by a doctor) - the reasons you can give for wanting an early scan include bleeding, pain or "anxiety". I would think a previous mc is good enough reason for anxiety.

So maybe find out if any hospital near you has a similar unit, and call up and find out their policy?

chipsandmushypeas · 28/04/2012 15:17

I agree, go for a private one for reassurance. Good luck

ToryLovell · 28/04/2012 15:19

I think it would be worth paying privately for one if it will help put your mind at rest

luckysocks · 28/04/2012 15:33

minipie that's brilliant. I'm jealous of people who live in London

Midgetm · 28/04/2012 15:54

My hospital also had self referral. No need to lie, just say anxious. People with bleeding will be prioritised before you. Personally would not lie about it as demand is high from people who are mid MC, but you shouldn't have to. I have had recurrent MC's and just saying I am anxious has been enough to get one. It's such a worrying time but try to remember that having one MC does not mean you are more likely to have another one, it just means you are more alerted to what can go wrong. Private or NHS try and wait till a minimum of 6.5 - 7 weeks as any earlier can just result in another 2 week wait as scans can be inconclusive if too early. Hope you get seen soon. The waiting is agony.

SimplySoo · 28/04/2012 16:47

My hospital had an early pregnancy unit. Straight after my missed miscarriage last year they told me with my next pregnancy I could come in before my dating scan for early scan. Call or visit to make an appointment.

FriendofDorothy · 28/04/2012 16:50

Just pay privately. No lying required then.

MsGee · 28/04/2012 17:01

Pay privately. People lying to have scans earlier makes my blood boil (not that you would).

For every person who lies there is some poor sod going through hell who can't get an appointment. Our maternity unit is so under resourced that I had to wait 4 days for a scan after bleeding at 11 weeks despite being part of the recurrent mc clinic. Four days of hell - I went private.

If you go private and explain circs they will be v understanding. Hope pg goes well for you.

OctoberOctober · 28/04/2012 17:30

Go private, £100 for the reassurance without lying and at a time convenient for you.

Purplelooby · 28/04/2012 17:45

I paid for one and the way to get it cheaper is to go to one of the those 3D/4D places rather than a private clinic. The 3D/4D places are a bit pink and fluffy, but mine was fine and it only cost me £50. They called it an early reassurance scan. I wouldn't have been able to justify £100 but £50 was really OK. Seeing the heartbeat in there was incredible - although of course i just found other reasons to panic after that. The only bad thing is that they can only do external scans so the dating will be miles out (they measured me over a week small and I panicked about this for the next 8 weeks until my 12 week scan when all was normal). Also it means they can't detect the heartbeat until after 7 weeks.

BagofHolly · 28/04/2012 17:52

Don't wangle, cough up and leave space for the people who really NEED them, not just fancy one.

FluffyJawsOfDoom · 28/04/2012 20:36

I'm with holly - you can pay to have one for about £100, less some places.

ShushBaby · 28/04/2012 21:19

I'm with Holly too- scans cost the NHS (probably £100s), plus would you really want to make a woman who really was in pain, or bleeding, wait?! I've had a miscarriage, I know how anxious a time it is. But given that there is really nothing you can do to change whether a pregnancy is viable or not this stage, I'm afraid my view is that sometimes in life you just have to wait and live with worry. My 12 week scan is on thurs, it's been an anxious time, but I don't feel I'm entitled to a free scan.

DizzyKipper · 29/04/2012 11:34

I also agree with others about paying for a private one, it's the only surefire way of getting the early scan you're after. You could mention your anxiety to the midwife/consultant but it's up to them whether they consider this a good enough reason to give you an early scan.
I had a MC with my first pregnancy and when I got pregnant for the second time was having severe, sharp pains on my right side at around 5 weeks. I went to A&E who kept me in and scanned me the next day, they were concerned that it was ectopic (as was I). If I'd not had any symptoms though I would never have pushed for an early/reassurance scan - I know that the NHS has limited resources and wouldn't want to take away from anyone who really needed that scan.

DizzyKipper · 29/04/2012 11:36

Oh yes as Purplelooby says, the scan also won't stop you from finding reasons to worry. 32 weeks in and I still get worried about various things.

perceptionreality · 29/04/2012 11:38

In early pregnancy, if I ever complained of stomach pains I was referred for a scan quickly.

Are you sure you want one though? Sometimes early scans cause unnecessary worry. I was told on more than one occasion (around 7 weeks) that I had a pregnancy that wasn't viable. The babies were all fine...

warzonemummy · 29/04/2012 11:41

First time I bled at 6 weeks I did not ask for or get a scan, second time at 7 weeks I walked in to EPU in my local hospital (St Georges in SW London - minipie is that the one you are talking about?) and I spoke with the receptionist and midwives, they did a scan and reassured me. I saw the heartbeat. It all took 15 minutes in total. I don't think I was stealing anyone else's turn. I did not lie, I just ask for help which they provided. I am sure you have a chance if you just tell them what's going on honestly and they might be able to help. I later went for a full on private scan in Dubai at 25 weeks, it was something extra and I really wanted it and paid for it. So basically, I think if medical (both physiological and psychological) reasons stick to the NHS and for anything extra and non medical go private. Your case seems medical to me.

perceptionreality · 29/04/2012 11:45

I can't understand some posters anger about this - if you've had a previous miscarriage that's a totally valid reason to ask for an early scan where I live, in fact my GP would probably refer as a matter of course. I was just putting the other side of it which is that if you're quite hard to scan (like me) you can end up with unnecessary worry where the results were hard to see.

chipsandmushypeas · 29/04/2012 11:45

But the OP is not bleeding [warzone]

minipie · 29/04/2012 11:54

yup that's it warzone

FullBeam · 29/04/2012 11:55

Congratulations on your BFP Cheekychops.

I sympathise with you, when I got pregnant after a MMC I was constantly anxious. As other posters have said you could wangle a scan at an EPU or pay for one.

But, I would like to add a note of caution, if you are less than 6 weeks, you may not be able to see a heart beat because it is too early and that might make you more anxious! Also, I found that the early scan only stopped me worrying for a week or so, then I feared something had gone wrong again. In the end, I had to try to deal with my anxiety or else just set up camp by an ultrasound machine.

If you think you just need that little bit of reassurance to enjoy your pregnancy then, go for it. It will be £100 well spent.

tiredandbusy · 29/04/2012 12:15

An early scan will change nothing if all is not well yet potentially expose a growing embryo to unnecessary ultrasound waves which are very hot and once the scan is finished, then what...? It is a moment in time and no indicator of potential viability in the absence of other symptoms.

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