Hi All, this is my first post, really hoping to tap into the collective experience. Im sorry for the length-- thanks to anyone who will take the time to read. My story goes roughly like this. After my period has ended I had some scant spotting, and then a more significant bleeding about mid-cycle. I went to see the GP the Friday before last. at gp surgery they asked if I was pregnant, I said not possible bc of dates of period. they had me do a urine test right there, it was positive. GP said what I thought was a period was probably early pregnancy bleeding and I must have conceived the previous cycle. She thought it very unlikely that the pregnancy would be viable (not sure how she decided that) but they booked me in for scan at the EPU the following Monday. There was just an empty sac, no feral pole or yolk sac, us technician estimated it at about 5 weeks, said its inconclusive, and another one was scheduled for this week. When I asked the nurse or midwife (not sure who was this person speaking to me) if it could be viable, she said Oh yeah, just be patient. When I asked if I'd be offered any blood tests she said there is no reason.
FF to today. I go through a repeat of the whole situation. Still empty sac, 6+ equivalent gestation. Am told that will have to come in again in a week, "we wouldn't write it off yet" were the exact words. The nurse/midwife again tells me that it's waiting game. I ask to see a doctor. The doctor goes through the whole textbook explanation of what is an empty sac etc. says no need for a blood test, which they would do if they suspected an ectopic, which they don't. when I press him what are the chances that this could be a viable pregnancy, he says "definitely probably not" and explains that next week we will discuss options for termination.
I am leaving out the whole emotional side of things. TTC for a long time, am devastated but that's almost besides the point. My main question is this. Is this standard nhs practice not to offer blood tests for hcg and progesterone? I understand that with a blighted ovum hormones may still rise even if the pregnancy is doomed, but an impending miscarriage can also be established if they are dropping? I suffered an early miscarriage before in a different country, under a different medical regime, and the repeated hcg tests came before the scans.
uff. had to vent my frustration. thanks in advance to anyone who might be willing to share a similar experience, advice or other thoughts.