Will I get extra scans?

[Amiasmummy]

My daughter Amia was stillborn at 34 weeks due to blood clots on the placenta, although they never found the cause of the blood clots. (She was my first born.)
I've just recently found out that I'm expecting my 2nd baby. I'm only 5 weeks, but I'm already worrying about whether or not I will be watched more closely this time round.

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me whether I will be offered extra scans and appointments? I will be making my doctors appointment tomorrow, and will obviously ask all my questions then, I'm just hoping someone could appease my worries in the meantime.

Thanks in advance!

So sorry for your loss. You should definitely get extra scans this time. I would definitely ask to be referred to see a consultant as early as possible as you may need to take blood thinning drugs like aspirin depending on what was found last time. Good luck with this pregnancy.

Thank you! I think I had every blood test imaginable at the time, but nothing was found. She was born 26th September 2010 so I'm having trouble remembering what was said regarding future pregnancies. I couldn't even begin to think about having another baby at the time.. The consultant initially said that is need to take aspirin and be monitored closely, but when nothing came up in the tests he changed his mind and said it would be treated as a 'normal' pregnancy.

I'm so sorry you lost Amia. My first child was stillborn at 31 weeks with no reason ever identified. I'm now in my second pregnancy and have had many extra scans scheduled from my first consultant appointment, and then more extras arranged at the slightest sign of anything worrying. The fact that they can't be sure of the cause doesn't mean there is no reason to watch over you as far as they can. My hospital have been amazing, so I'm sorry to hear your consultant sounds less supportive. Do you have a bereavement midwife or any ongoing contacts from the time you lost Amia?

Sorry, I meant to type that I lost my DS at 41 weeks, not 31.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. Wishing you all the best in this pregnancy. Glad to hear you are being well looked after! I plan on fighting for extra scans if I have to.. I never had a bereavement midwife. I was seen at home by a midwife the day after Amia was born. She asked me if I wanted any more visits and I declined. The only contact I have as such, is the doctor I was seeing at the time. In one sense, I'd like to book in with her as she knows my history and I wouldn't have to go through every detail.. But I also feel a little uneasy, as she misdiagnosed me with a kidney infection in the last weeks of my pregnancy which slowed the investigation into what was going wrong I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment

Sorry for you loss. I lost my first baby at 4 days old last year. Currently 8 weeks with 2nd. I have been told I will get additional scans. Will also be shared care between the midwife and consultant. Was told I will get stickers for my notes that shows a previous loss so anyone we see will know and hopefully be tactful about it.

Hope all goes well with this one.

Hi. Not exactly the same but I lost one of my twins at 22weeks (my dd was born fine). I'm now pregnant with twins again...I called my old consultant at around 8 weeks and she was more than happy to see me the following week. I'm now 16 weeks and having scans four weekly, and with lots of advice and monitoring. I'd recommend calling the secretary of the appropriate consultant which seems to be the easiest way to make direct contact. Hopefully you'll have as much support as I did.

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter.

I lost my twins after they my membranes ruptured at 14 weeks and one of the causes of that is clots in the placenta. (they were supposed to check the placentas for this, but didn't) However, as I also had clots in my lungs in that pregnancy, they tested me for blood disorders and I have APS/Hughes Syndrome, which is a blood clotting/autoimmune disorder. Because of that I now have to be on 75mg aspirin and once daily clexane (heparin) injections in all pregnancies, although I'm currently pregnant and am on twice daily injections as more clots in my lungs in this pregnancy.

Since I had my twins I have had another daughter, born at term after a very scary but otherwise good pregnancy on clexane and aspirin.

I would see your GP and ask for a referral to a consultant who specialises in haematology ASAP. I would also discuss starting low dose aspirin with your GP, although they may not know much about it.

I would imagine you'd be under consultant care, which may well mean extra scans, particularly to check placental function later on but it does depend on your health trust.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, I have so many questions to ask my GP! I'm so sorry for your losses. It still shocks me to hear of so many little angels.

Angelopal - the stickers sound like a good idea! When I called to book to have my contraceptive implant out the doctor asked me if it would be my first pregnancy. It was quite an awkward moment

So sorry for your loss. I also lost my first born, Amy. I was overdue with her.
When I got pregnant again my midwife immediately referred me to a consultant, a different one than I had been assigned the first time (I had issues with measuring too big for dates in the first pregnancy) when I asked. I saw the consultant a week after that and she assured me I would see her several times throughout and also get extra scans. I can't remember how many but I think it was at least 4 in the first two trimesters and every two weeks in the third one.

I got a sticker on my notes (they're provided by SANDS), very noticeable and not small, an eye with a tear rolling off it and a baby in the pupil (sounds weird but isn't). If your midwife doesn't put one on your notes then ask for it.

I am taking Clexane (blood thinner) and low dose aspirin after IVF, I understand both are to prevent blood clots. Currently 12 weeks and crossing fingers.

No idea if relevant to you but crossing my fingers for you too x

I'm so sorry to hear about your dd, Amia.

My dd1 also died due to blood clots on the placenta, and I have just (14 wks) had DD2. I had lots of contact with my consultant this time, and was given low dose aspirin every day. I had loads of extra scans for reassurance and to check the growth etc. I have to say that the care I received was excellent 2nd time around, so just make sure you push for extra care - as much as you need to help you through the pregnancy xxx

Thanks guys. I'm sorry to hear of your losses. Velve - I'm familiar with the sands logo. You're right that it sounds weird but it isn't thank you for letting me know that I can get their sticker on my notes, I'll definitely be bringing it up if bit isn't readily offered. I may even have some sands stickers stashed away somewhere (I've done a few fundraiser a for them in Amia's memory)

Isabellar and ellypoo, thank you both for your input regarding blood clot prevention. I'll definitely be asking about the possibility of taking a low dose of aspirin throughout. I think it would reassure me to know I was actively doing something that could prevent history from repeating itself, rather than simply waiting out the next 35 weeks

Hey guys, just wanted to update you all.. I managed to get a doctors appointment on Friday and I'm feeling much more reassured now. I've been referred to a consultant and been told that this pregnancy will most likely be consultant led. Also, I should be getting extra scans later in the pregnancy to keep an eye on things, and generally watched a lot closer this time round. The doctor doesn't think I needed to take aspirin, as all the blood tests for blood clotting disorders came back negative.

Yes you definitely should, I lost my baby girl amelia through childbirth at 41 weeks on the 12, 3, 12 they never found the reason for her death. I am know 29 weeks pregnant with my second and I get scans every four weeks :) good luck xx

Also I have one of those stickers and they do nothing... I constantly get asked is this your first :) its hardly unnoticeable but there you go