EPU referral

[MummyMilla]

Last Monday I had a private scan at what I thought was 6+5 - saw the sac and yolk but not fetal pole or heartbeat. Advised to return in two weeks or go via GP to EPU for another scan.

I have my GP booking in appt on Monday and plan to ask them for referral. Can anyone advise on the best way of doing this as I really don't want to go back to the private place, but would like some reassurance that I am actually growing a baby.

My symptoms have steadily increased over the last week: big heavy boobs, knackered (solid 9 hours sleep every night), thirsty and most tellingly, nausea when I'm tired/hungry. I mean, I FEEL very pregnant, but am terrified I've had a MMC

This is my third baby but I was last pg 7 years ago - I am 39 which puts me higher risk too I think.

Thanks

Meant to say - the sac measured 11mm and the sonographer put me at 6 weeks.

My experience has always been a nightmare to be honest......sometimes the GP can refer you and other times they've said I had to register with a midwife and they were the only ones who could do the referral

Oh and then the EPUs in my area won't accept self referral! In the end I was seen via a&e but only because I suspected ectopic and ultimately I was right!

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted you poor thing, that sounds really really harrowing!

EPUs here won't accept self referral either, which is why I'm pinning hopes on the GP. Given the current challenges I just would not feel comfortable going to A&E - but at the same time, I would just like to know whether I have miscarried.

Fingers crossed they are kind.

EPU at my hospital will only scan if you have had 2+ miscarriages or if you have cramping and bleeding.
You may have to pay for another private scan, but if it helps to reassure you, it's worth the expense.

Hope everything is okay!

I work in A+E as a nurse. EPU doesnt take self referrals, you'll only be offered one if theres heavy bleeding and/or severe pain.

I cant say if GPs offer it or not

Hi @MummyMilla just wondering what the pressure is to go to EPU if you’re feeling pregnant and there are no risk factors etc? I appreciate you are classed as an older mother and your anxiety may be higher, but of there were significant risk factors that warranted a referral, surely you would be referred?

I was referred early in my current pregnancy due to very worrying symptoms (a lot of fluid and blood loss etc) plus pains. It wasn’t a pleasant experience and certainly not something I would strive for. Hence why I am a little unclear why you would want a referral to EPU?

If you have tested pregnant and feel pregnant, would it not just be routine to wait for your first trimester scan? It is really only a couple of weeks away (as much as that may seem a long time) - and in reality even if there was missed miscarriage, a referral to EPU would not prevent that in all likelihood.

Hi @sarahD19 - anxiety comes from no heartbeat at early scan on Monday and measuring a week behind where I thought I was/am.

Such a mix of emotions as my common sense is telling me not to worry. But then I hate the thought that the baby may not be alive and I'm none the wiser...

@MummyMilla I appreciate that and I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. However my understanding is it isn’t uncommon to struggle to detect a heartbeat at that stage as it is so incredibly early. That is why I understand scans normally don’t occur so early as they can increase anxiety. I hope all goes well for you x

I can see some people have said that an EPU doesn’t take self referrals - that’s not true. My local one is amazing and has walk in appointments on the day you just have to get there before 4pm, when I went in I was seen, scanned, bloods taken all under 2 hours.
See if there are any walk in around, even if it’s a bit of a drive it might be worth it

@SarahD19 thanks for understanding. I shall see how it goes on Monday. I'm also planning to book in for a harmony at 10 weeks, which (according to dates anyway!) would be 2.5 weeks away. Thanks for reassuring comments. x

@Prettylittlelady that's helpful to know, thank you. x

Just to back up the previous poster, my EPU does a drop in clinic between 9 and 1 every day. I went two weeks ago due to pain on one side. I waited an hour, then was assessed by a midwife and then had a scan to check for ectopic. Didn’t even bother ringing my gp first. It’s worth looking at all your local hospitals (not just the closest) to see if they have this.

Each EPU has a different system which seems to change all the time.
3 years ago I could self refer but now you can't. However I was referred, via the GP earlier this week with no issues.
It is not unusual to not see a heartbeat at this stage. With DS I think I was almost 8 weeks before we could see his heartbeat. Hes now a very lively 3 year old