Early Scan Recommended - but don't know how to get one

[whyhastherumgone]

Hi all i had a MMC last year at six weeks, found out at nine. My then EPU said if i got pregnant again i should have an early scan to make sure things are progressing, at seven weeks. They said this should be fine if i was under a different EPU etc as well. I've since moved and got a BFP last week - i've registered at my new surgery but they just book you in with the midwife at 8-10 weeks. I queried about the scan and they just said i will have to talk to the midwife when i get my appointment but by then could be at 10 weeks. I looked up my local early pregnancy assessment units and found a number but it says it just sees emergencies/people with problems upon referral. Not sure whether to call anyway? or whether to just book a private early scan. Just wondered if anyone had any advice really?

I'd book an appointment with your doctor or call them direct! Won't do any harm asking. Alternatively you of course can get private scans from about £50. I had many with my DD and they were worth every penny. Good luck - the first 12 weeks are nerve wracking xxx

thank you. The receptionist point blank said the GP wouldnt see me for anything to do with my pregnancy at this stage as the new procedure is to see the midwife at 8-10. Might speak to them again and if i don't get anywhere give EPU a call. Thanks - think if i don't get anywhere i will book a private one for seven weeks.

Explain to your GP and they should refer you directly to the EPU.

I googled private early scan, found a place not far away and paid £99 for it.
I was 7 weeks, didn't go earlier as I wanted to see a heartbeat but it's not guaranteed to be present before, also didn't want a dildocam, which is also required before then

It varies a lot depending on area. I've had 3 miscarriages (1 spontaneous, 2 missed) and my local EPU wouldn't give me an early scan unless I had bleeding or symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. They said they only scanned women for previous miscarriage if they had 3 miscarriages in a row. I'd had 2 dc between mc 1 and 2 and 1 dc between mc 2 and 3.

Congrats OP. I had an early private scan at 6 weeks - we saw the heartbeat :)
We had it done at The Women's Wellness Centre in Chelsea. Very good.
Good luck.

If you're entitled to an early scan, I don't see why you should have to pay for one. I agree with explaining to the GP and getting an early referral. Do you have to tell the receptionist why you're booking an appointment? Can't you just book one and talk straight to the GP? I'm sure in circumstances where early intervention is required, the GP will see you. If not, call EPU directly and explain

I'm not sure the receptionist is correct. I had pregnancy induced hypertension in my first pregnancy and was told that as soon as I find out I'm pregnant again I need to be on bp medication so I would need to see my GP for that. There are plenty of reasons someone might need to see a GP for a pregnancy related reason prior to 8 weeks.

I'd just make an appointment and go if I were you the book the private scan if the GP can't help.

Congratulations and best of luck OP.

Thanks everyone - wanted to make sure I wasn't being over dramatic. I know it can completely differ in some places - my previous EPU were very clear it would be a free scan on the NHS but obviously not under them any more so rules could be completely different. I do understand if I need to go private, but don't want to go private only to find out I could have got one on the NHS as I was originally told.
Will take all your advice - try and get an appointment with GP, then if not call EPU direct, and if not, book private. I'm not 100% it will completely reassure me anyway but I don't think anything will! Sorry to those who have also experienced MC - it's awful. Thanks for advice :)

There's no harm in calling the EPU now. They can advise whether they'll see you (with or without referral) or if you need to go private.

And if a receptionist tries to block you seeing a GP then tell them it's a private matter that you only wish to discuss with the doc. Or tell them it is about anxiety, which would not be untrue given the circumstances.

Thanks - I guess I was just put off as it said they only saw emergencies but you're right, they'll get me off the phone quick smart if they don't have time for queries etc. I will give them a call this afternoon.

I had an early Nhs scan due to recurrent miscarriages recently. I'm in the SE and we have to self refer to our midwife team. When I did this I had to put details of previous pregnancies and I was subsequently sent a letter for a scan appointment at hospital at 8 weeks. My booking appointment wasn't until 10 weeks. Hope you manage to get your scan.

Thank you @Lulublu that's really helpful. I couldn't self refer but think I'm going to phone EPAU as others have suggested and see what they say as a start.

Similar to lulu, I called EPU when I found out I was pregnant as it had been recommended that I start on progesterone due to 4 early mc. They automatically booked me in for an early scan, however this was at 10 weeks so I ended up paying for a private one at 7 weeks as well. I saw them well before I saw midwife at 11 weeks booking in.

I had to call my hospital to make my booking appointment. At this point my miscarriage last year was discussed and I was offered a 7 week reassurance scan at epu. I'm in Liverpool. I have had just the one miscarriage

Thanks for all the advice, just wanted to follow up. I called my EPU and they were really lovely but said their criteria is early scans after two MC only - although she did say if I have any problems to call again but hopefully that won't be the case. She recommended a private hospital which is actually cheaper than some of the clinics and advised me to wait til at least 7.5 weeks if I do go ahead with it, so I feel a bit more informed with a plan now :)

Thanks to everyone who replied.