Can you request an early scan because of previous miscarriage?

[NewSense]

Basically I'm just excessively terrified. I'm taking pregnancy tests every day, lining them up to analyse if they're getting darker (they're as dark as they'll get, so it's stupid), and completely overthinking whether I feel nauseous or not, if my breasts feel sore or not...

I'm just over 5 weeks, I think, and have a GP appointment tomorrow (have to see GP before midwife in this region). Can I request an early scan? Will he just roll his eyes? Should I just try to calm down, and if so, how?! Will I have to wait to see the midwife and ask them, rather than the GP?

I know I need to relax, I'm just so nervous :( we've had 4.5 years of infertility battles, and I'm really worried this will go the way of my last pregnancy :(

Hey @NewSense
Sorry I’m not sure on the answer to if you can request or not and if they would or not as I’m not sure, I know you can pay for private scans though? -mind you, so what if they roll their eyes at you, your entitled to ask don’t feel embarrassed ! At least then you’ll know the answer Hun!
Just wanted to say tho, that I’d like to join you in being excessively terrified ?! I think I’m around 4 week and had some slight spotting a week or so ago. Had MC nov 2017 and was the most heartbreaking time of my life. Just want you to know your not alone

As horrid as it is, not normally until you hit 3 of them. It's so cruel. We did have extra scans this time but we had sadly hit the magic number before then and your only option is private ones.

Generally, no. However, you can get a private scan reasonably cheap and in my experience, they’re more than worth it for the peace of mind they provide.

Where I live, they show more interest after 2 MCs if you are over 40 - I had an early scan plus recurrent miscarriage testing.

Given that you have had infertility battles it is worth asking, but be prepared for the GP to say no.

Sending you best wishes for this pregnancy as I know how difficult it can be. x

Forgot to say, I believe private scans are not too expensive, so that might be a good option to give you peace of mind.

Thank you so much for your kind words. Sorry for those of you who have also gone through miscarriage. It seems like it is absolutely horrific at the time, then stays with you forever to make you anxious and sad :(

I guess I'll ask and see what they say. As you say, no harm in asking at least. If I'm unsuccessful, I think I will find somewhere to pay for it privately. I just want to know everything is ok...

Best of luck to you, Hope18 for your pregnancy

Any idea what kind of price a private scan will be? Roughly?

Ours was £50. Worth it.

I asked for an early scan, not in your circumstances, but still due to worry. I had an early bleed and they found 2 sacs at 5+ weeks but no heartbeats. I had a follow up scan at 7+ weeks and there were 2 heartbeats. My mum then relayed all this to my Aunty (on my mum's side) who had apparently been in the same position and lost one of the twins, and said it had happened to 2 other members of our extended family.

I was a bit of a wreck after hearing this and had a bit of a meltdown when my normal 12 week scan appointment arrived and it wasn't actually until 14 weeks. I arranged a midwife appointment & told her why I was anxious and she arranged a scan for me when I was about 11 weeks.

Like others have said, you can only ask. Good luck

I'm going against the grain here but had early scans in my first and second pregnancy after a miscarriage. I think it depends on your area more than anything.

You can request but they are not always offered. I asked after having fertility problems and 2 previous mmc and the answer was no, my gp basically said an early scan was pointless and what will be will be (doesn’t help your mind though) so we paid privately for one at 9 weeks which was £40 and worth every penny to see baby. Now 18 weeks pregnant so be positive ❤️

Hi

I really understand how scared you must be. I would genuinely warn you off having a scan anything before 7 weeks as it may just cause more worry rather than easing it.
I have scan at 6 weeks 1 day due to previous ectopic and all it does is give me worry. Everything is too small and if you go in expecting to see a baby or a heartbeat and don't (for a genuinely ok reason) then it can just make u a nervous wreck for the next 10-14 days. (It does me anyway!)

Xx

You can request one but they may deny that request.

If you'd find it peace if mind then I'd recommend a private scan after the 7 week mark. I had one which I got a deal for off Groupon for about £50.

Good luck!

Hi @NewSense! Congrats on your pregnancy! I totally understand where you're coming from - I've had 2 MCs myself and currently pregnant at 19+2 weeks with my first. I remember the early weeks of this pregnancy so well - utterly terrified, constantly peeing on sticks (BTW I peed on sticks until 10 weeks and the lines varied in colour all the time so please don't worry about that!) Constantly checking for blood when I wiped etc.

Unfortunately the EPU will only see you if you bleeding and can only see you after 6 weeks, some you can self refer others you need to be referred by a GP or doctor. I had brown bleeding in this pg so went to A&E and was booked in by the consultant, they saw me at 6 weeks and 8 weeks to check (turned out I was only 4/5 weeks at the first scan but in the follow up we saw a HB)

I would highly recommend a private scan after 9 weeks as you can actually see a tiny fetus and keels you going until the 12 week scan - mine cost £50 and it was so worth it.

Best of luck and remember - each pregnancy is totally different to the last so everything may work out perfectly - but you never stop worrying! Part and parcel of being a mum

Sorry just double checked and the criteria for the EPU in my area is 6+ weeks pregnant, history of ectopic/tubal, mild to moderate bleeding or pelvic pain. Might be worth checking what the criteria is for the EPU in your area. Really hope everything goes well

I don't think many places scan before 7 weeks. I had a private one at 8 weeks. Cost around £80 I think but went somewhere with nurses present who can tell you exactly what is going on. Some places I looked at were cheaper but other than telling you if a heartbeat or not didn't seem to have any medical knowledge.

If you're in the midlands it was Cherish UK in Sutton we used.

I've had a miscarriage and was given a number for the early pregnancy unit and told to ring them when I get pregnant again and they'll get me in for an early scan.
It might be worth ringing to find out.

If not, I think I'd pay for a private early scan as I can imagine I'd feel the same as you.

Wishing you a healthy pregnancy

I paid for an early scan with a private consultant so it was pricey, £200 but, and this is really sneaky, if you go to your Gp and say you don't know when your last period was then they will give you a dating scan. I know this because I had two losses and stopped trying and the third time I fell pregnant unexpectedly and genuinely couldn't date my pregnancy. So I got an early scan and then they scanned me every two weeks until 12 weeks because of my previous losses.

A friend of mine did this also because of anxiety and she got an early dating scan too. I would never normally advocate been deceitful but I know the all consuming anxiety that you can feel after a loss and how reassuring an early scan can be.

Probably depends on your gp and epau. One local one used to see you with a gp referral even if no concerns if there has previously been a problem. In this case they prefer you to wait till 7 weeks to avoid unnecessary worry. Would also see you if current concerns, though you needed a referral you can usually be seen same day or next. Other local one only if pain / bleeding, though they operated a walk in service. I had early scans for both my pregnancies after my missed miscarriage.