How do I wangle an early scan??

[Cheekychops29]

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

EPU policies vary depending on where you live. Fantastic those of you who have access to one that will scan when you are anxious. Mine scan only for pain and bleeding and for those who've had a previous ectopic and post ERPC/MC where the bleeding is persistent. They do not scan women who have had recurrent MC, let alone just 1. Mine do a walk in self referral, you get to see the doctor and have a lengthy consultation- and they ask loads so you'd have to be a great liar for them not to twig you were fibbing. Then you get examined, then they book you in for the next available scan- in my case (with bleeding and some pain) that was in 2 days time. Post ERPC was the same- I didnt need another consultation as i was referred from GP for a scan due to persistent bleeding but again 2 working day wait. Incidentally this is was my 2nd MC, with a baby in between and I paid for a private reassurance scan at 8 weeks (due to previous loss) , didn't stop the baby dying a week later. Don't lie , you're taking resources that are aimed at women in greater need. If your local do scans for anxious women who've had previous MC then fine, if not pay for a private one.

I dont think that anyone has been heartless or a bitch. You asked how you could get a scan, and got that information. What did you want people to say?

" It's what I'm entitled to!!!"

And there it is, in a nutshell. Balls to anyone else, limited resources, more urgent cases, etc, you want one so you think you should get one, at the expense of people who NEED them. Lovely.

You're not "entitled", you have a sense of entitlement. That's very different.

LMAO @ "thread ended"!

I don't think anyone's been a heartless bitch. I just don't think anyone's condoned lying about your situation to get what you want, and most people have been careful to avoid accusing you of willing to do such a thing in their response. Others have been defensive and a little hostile thinking you may do, and you have a right to be angry and insulted about their presumption if you would never be willing to do such a thing. But if they were right in their assumption you're not on the moral high ground here, it does mean putting yourself first ahead of others who may have far greater need.

LOL

I think it was the term 'wangle' in the thread title that made myself and others think you didn't really 'need' one, just wanted it for reassurance. Dont we all want some reassurance?! I hate the thought of waiting 12-14 weeks for a scan to discover it isnt viable.

Like others have said, such an early scan will probably cause more worry as it's hard to see anything.

However I don't mind paying for my piece of mind. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Agree chips, 'wangle' is quite a bad choice of word to use since it infers that one's trying to get something of which they're not really entitled. I think this is also why people were suspicious that the OP was going to try to lie to get what she wanted, which understandably would get some people's backs up. But then it's so easy when posting in a hurry to write something down without thinking about it and then ending up being crucified for it (been the victim of this myself many a time!).

You absolutley cannot misrepresent the facts of your health to doctors. It's dangerous to everyone. Please don't try and "wangle" anything. Tell the truth, including about your miscarriage and your concerns, which they WILL take into account. This doesn't mean you'll get the scan you want, but in that respect you have to trust your midwives/doctors. You can ask for a second opinion at any stage of health care.

I had to have an early scan because I was bleeding, so I understand the fear when you've got this tiny person growing inside you and you just don't know what's going on.

I understand that you must be frantic, given what happened before.

I think you should make an appt with whoever it is who makes the decisions, explain how worried and stressed you are and how you fear that this stress may make happen the very thing you are fearing, and to plead with them for a scan.

It's really not in your or your baby's best interests to have you worried like this and if a scan is going to put your mind at ease, then I think they should have compassion enough to do it.

I realise you have flounced off the thread, but I do hope you come back to it and to MN.

Yes, I agree dizzy I hope it was just a poor choice of words. I don't see any crucifying though, just posters agreeing she should pay, which annoyed the op greatly.

I agree Hecate. It is absolutely horrible to be consumed by worry for your pregnancy.

OP,
I also think (like other people have said) that your previous mc and obvious anxiety may qualify you for an early scan at the epu.

I hope you feel that you can come back to MN for support and advice and all best wishes for your pregnancy.

Really sorry to hear you had a mc but do think some mums to be view pregnancy as an illness these days and want scans on demand.I had one at 12wkss and 20wks with all dd's, was offered more but declined, not sure if good for the baby to have endless scans.

I need to find one of those hospitals because I'm 12 weeks and 1day on my 3rd baby and I've not had a dating scan and don't see a MW til next Tuesday

enitan call up your local hospital, they should fit you in for your 12 week scan - if you want the nuchal fold test you need to have it before 13+6 IIRC.

Minipie thanks I've been told that on Tuesday when I see the midwife she will refer me to the hospital, I need it really bad because I don't have an official due date

OP, I am pretty sure that if you explain your worries and concerns to a midwife at your EPU they will try their best to fit you in for a reassurance scan. I had a blighted ovum diagnosed at the regular 12 wk scan about 15 months ago - it is horrific and terrifying and so I understand where you are coming from. Although we have moved down under in the meantime, I was told by the local EPU who dealt with me after my mc that they would give me an early scan just on the basis of previous mmc/blighted ovum, but I appreciate policies vary.

I am now pg again and have had several scans - all on medical advice and without any lies - and it has been very reassuring. Because I now live down under, you have to pay for all your scans anyway so there's no issue there.

But I agree with you - apart from stopping drinking etc, I and DH both lived in absolute denial until we had had a scan and seen a heartbeat, I couldn't have faced the pain again of getting to 12 wks with no sign of any problem, then discovering the baby just didn't exist, it is the craziest thing that has ever happened to me.

Hope you have lots of support in RL and really hope for you that this time it is for real, take care x

I had an early scan once because I wasn't sure of my dates - I could have been 12 or 6 weeks (first pregnancy, just come off pill and irregular periods so I had no idea!).

I also lived overseas at the time (although was still UK resident and tax payer - working for the State abroad) and had to return, so that probably helped my case. And yes, it turned out I was only 6 weeks pregnant. I later had to fly back for the 12 week scan.

Having a previous MC and being anxious should be reason enough to get a reassurance scan. My PCT also has a walk in service for recurrent MCs, bleeding etc

However, please don;t ever lie about pain or bleeding, resources are scarce, you could be preventing someone with a life threatening ectopic pregnancy from getting appropriate medical care if you live in an area where resources are scarce. Surely you must see that their needs must come first.