Bleeding everyday - they won't scan

[Roxyxo]

So it's my first pregnancy I'm currently 9 weeks and I've been experiencing bleeding - quite heavy and also spotting most mornings.
I was taken to a&e via ambulance due to cramping and bleeding late at night and the nurse simply checked my urine - didn't scan me and sent me home with a leaflet on bleeding?
Someone called me back the next day and told me my next scan (12 weeks) is the 22nd of November and to wait until then. I'm worried sick it's making me ill and I don't think I'm being treated fairly at all. I feel so let down they simply make me feel like a nuisance. I'm not a drama queen I know my body and I've woken today to no symptoms at all of pregnancy- I feel normal.
So I'm expected to sit and worry for the next 2 and a half weeks to find out if I've miscarried?
Its as if they dont care at all.

Can you book a private scan to reassure yourself?

do you have an early pregnancy unit you can contact? (most hospitals have them) or like above said, maybe pay for a private scan? sending hugs.

Most A&E departments won’t be able to scan you out of hours but it might be worth contacting your local Early Pregnancy Unit to see if they can help - usually with bleeding/pain in early pregnancy they will scan you at least once to check it’s not an ectopic pregnancy.

Otherwise a private scan might be your best option. I had an early scan at six weeks which was fine but kept having bleeding on and off, in the end we booked a private scan at 9 weeks so we didn’t have to wait until 12 weeks to know if things were ok. Thankfully all was fine.

Fingers crossed for you that everything is ok

Most a&e units can't scan you but would usually make a referral to the early pregnancy unit. Look online for the closest EPU and give them a ring to find out how you get referred - some are self referral.

See if you can self refer to your local EPAU. Ours isnt self referral but I got so sick of being fobbed off by doctors refusing to scan even though I was cramping and bleeding that I rang them up myself. I explained what was going on and they had me in the next day for a scan. After that appointment they told me I could self refer any time until 20 weeks for a scan.

It’s worth a punt. Really pisses me off when they refuse to do early scans after bleeding

Why haven’t you had a private scan? You can get in really quickly!

Some people can't afford a private scan, guys. Your GP can refer you to an EPU, OP. I hope everything is ok.

I know that but many people can afford one also.

Go to GP and ask to be referred. Was the cramping that bad you needed an ambulance? Didn't they consider ectopic? I don't know if you're too far gone for that but can be very serious xx

Where are these places where people are refused scans?! I've worked in an EPU, in obstetrics, in GP surgeries and in a&e and absolutely everywhere I've worked it's always been totally routine that any bleeding in early pregnancy gets scanned. Certainly if it's the first presentation anyway. I'm genuinely baffled!

@FrowningFlamingo, I actually changed GP surgery thanks to my doctor refusing to refer me for an early scan (I had bleeding and cramping) at 7 weeks in May this year. I thought it was quite negligent to refuse a scan when I was presenting with such symptoms at a time where pregnancies, if ectopic, often rupture and can be life threatening.

I genuinely quite surprised. I really just thought it was standard care. It certainly is in my area anyway!

@FrowningFlamingo I’m in North Yorkshire and we’re pretty rural, the two hospitals with EPAU’s and scanning facilities are at least 40 minutes in either direction so as you can imagine, they each serve a fairly broad area. All I can think is that sometimes, GP’s are reluctant to refer unless there is a definite need to do so. Still pretty negligent.

I’m in a much more urban area. I think I’d offer the choice though rather than refuse!

Thank you so much for your advice so far
Unfortunately I can't afford anything private at this time but I'll definitely look in to a self referral this week. The bleeding seems to have stopped for the most part. Will keep you all informed once scan has taken place.

I really appreciate your help x

They won't scan u straught away cause theirs nothing they can do to prevent it I had a private scan. I wasnt bleeding tho but wanted to reassure myself.

I’d just call EPU. Some want a doctors note to scan (so then book an urgent doctors appointment and ask them to write it) others just want you to turn up first thing and they’ll add you to the list for that day.
At ours it’s first come first served and they only scan until about 1pm, if you’ve turned up before 11am you normally get called.

A&E usually can't scan you as they have neither the equipment nor the experience. EPU usually only operates during "normal" 9-5 hours. I would expect persistent bleeding to be seen by EPU, whether by self or GP referral.

Hi,

I'm also 9 weeks and have been bleeding and spotting on/off. I went to A&E and they referred me to the EPU where I had two scans in separate days because I was so worried. Absolutely nothing wrong with the baby they said, and even did an internal and said they couldn't find a reason. I'm still spotting blood and so worried but I just have to wait now too. I guess what I'm trying to say is that bleeding doesn't have to mean the baby is affected and also, even after having scans I'm terrified so really feel your frustration and fear. Sending you love at this time and wish you the stickiest baby dust until your scan. If you can't afford a private scan, I'd really lay on the waterworks with EPU... Please do let us know how to get on. X

Hi if I was you I’d just try and self refer , I have done this myself , google the numbers for your epau and give them a call. They we’re really kind to me and understanding so definitely give it a go. You should be given one for bleeding it’s not fair on you to wait x

@FrowningFlamingo I am currently sitting in an EPU in Essex at the moment. I was bleeding last week and they have refused to scan me only doing Blood tests to check HCG when I am 8 weeks pregnant. I have had pains in my shoulder which I have told them about. I was worried about Eptopic. It has taken a week and my sister phoning to complain before they have been willing to scan me. After my third blood test they are now concerned it is eptopic. Unfortunately not all EPUs scan. They had said if I am in serious pain and start heavy bleeding they will scan. I find it quite shocking that with a potential eptopic they only scan once it has ruptured.

@Roxyxo Keep hassling them to give you a scan. Tell them you are very distressed about it all. Unfortunately at some EPUs it is the case of he who shouts loudest which is very very wrong. But your situation does sound quite serious and if nothing is wrong you need reassurance. Otherwise do book a private scan if you can. I had my private scan booked for today but then hospital agreed to do it.

@Newbie21 if your hCG levels are lower than around 1000 they may delay scanning and keep doing the blood tests until they are higher and there’s more chance of seeing anything, could that be why they didn’t scan you?

Otherwise I agree if you are having bleeding and pain on one side they should definitely be scanning you to check for ectopic pregnancy. Hope your scan today goes ok.

If you present at a n e in early pregnancy with bleeding at night or over the weekend they don’t usually have the facilities to scan but they should refer you to the epu and they would contact you on the next working day, as pp have said you can probably self refer esp as you have already attended a n e.

@Darkstar4855 HCG over 8000 but they did the scan today and found an empty gestational sac measuring for 5+3. At least not eptopic but very very likely miscarrying. I have to go back next week for another scan.