Scared - previous MMCs and just told won't be seen to 12 weeks

[MariaDingbat]

Hi,

I'm in a very different situation than I thought I'd be right now and could use some advice. I'm 5 weeks pregnant and delighted, but I've had 2 MMC's in the past year and when I met with the miscarriage specialist in December she said given I'm high risk (40, Hashimotos, recurrent miscarriages) I should get early scans and bloods throughout pregnancy. I've just spoken to the EPU in the hospital I have been referred to and they're not doing any scans before 12-14 weeks and no bloods till then either. I have Hashimotos and need regular blood monitoring throughout pregnancy, normally from 8 weeks. The nurse also said that if I miscarry there no surgical option available, they'll just send me home to wait three weeks due nature to take is course. I'm really scared that I'm doing this without any of the support I thought I'd get. I know these are extraordinary circumstances, but I'm really anxious that I won't get the right level of meds or something will go wrong and I won't have access to medical help when I need it. I don't know what to do.

Have you spoken to your GP?

Have you registered with your midwife yet?
Both should be able to arrange blood tests for you.

Unfortunately, having scans will not ensure a viable pregnancy.

I think your GP and midwife will sort out bloods. I understand you're worried (I would be, too) but realistically, scans won't guarantee a healthy baby.

I hope everything is okay for you.

Similar situation here, hashimotos, hypo and neurological conditions. I wont be seen until 13 weeks just got date through now. I did crack and pay for a private scan at 7+3 because I wanted to make sure all was ok whilst I was waiting.

My GP did my thyroid bloods for me as soon as I told them I was preggers so well be worth a call to them.

Also - sorry, I realise you're worried about miscarrying again - if you do, and you start bleeding heavily, you'll definitely be able to have surgical management. It won't be an initial option but if you need it to control blood loss, you'll be able to have it.

I think maternity services are going to be very stretched but obstetric emergencies will always be prioritised.

And seriously - avoid private scans. They are definitely not essential to the well-being of the pregnancy and you could catch or spread the virus.

I am surprised companies are still allowed to offer them actually.

@Lyris Thanks, I totally overlooked that my GP can take my bloods. Does yours talk with your endo to oversee and changes needed? I'll call mine tomorrow and see what can be done. I hope things are well with you and your bump.

@TheMustressMhor I spoke with the GP last week, she's sent my referral to the hospital and expected them to do early scans and bloods, which was why it was a shock that I was told by the hospital today that they won't do either. They didn't even give me a midwife or access to any services at all until 12 - 14 weeks.

My big worry is that if I have another missed miscarriage I won't know till 12 - 14 weeks and then I will have to wait another 3 weeks until anything can be done or else go through a natural miscarriage, which terrifies me. Last time I found out at 9 weeks (at a private scan in a clinic run by the consultant who would be overseeing my delivery) that the baby had died and I was able to access an ERPC through him within 5 days, which really helped me deal with the trauma of the miscarriage. I'm caring for my disabled brother during the lockdown, I can't afford physically or psychologically to carry on with a unviable pregnancy for weeks and weeks. I agree that going to a High Street scanning place isn't a good idea right now, but I might look at getting an appointment with a private hospital.

My GP originally didnt want to increase my meds even tho my TSH had gone high but I argued with her and she went and got "advice" I assume from my endo (I've been discharged from them 6 months ago) GP then rang back and upped my meds 😂

I had my 8 week booking appointment by phone today and midwife advised I will be under a consultant obstetrician and an endo again but have to sit tight and wait for that appointment which will likely be after the 12 week scan

I am waiting on an appointment with a consultant too, had my booking appointment with midwife last week.

I think sadly things are not as they would normally be :( I was told the same about bloods, as far as I’m aware my scan at 12 weeks is still going ahead but they said the usual screening bloods will need to be done with my midwife and not at the scan.

You’ll probably see from other posts on here that many scans/appointments etc are being cancelled due to COVID, I think it’s completely unfair but not sure there is anything that can be done :(

OP I really do sympathise. I have had lots of MMCs myself. The first was at 14 weeks.

However, it was many years ago, and routine early scans were not done, so it was only when I started to bleed that I was scanned.

I understand that you don't feel you can cope with not knowing. Obviously, with things being as they are, routine scans are not being done. If you can get one done as a private patient, is that any less risky than having one done at a high-street u/s place? I mean less risky in a Covid-19 sense? I do not think that it is.

You should be able to get hold of whoever your midwife is, and ask for her advice on all these matters. I really hope all goes well for you.

It is a worrying time.

@MariaDingbat I have Graves and am 9 weeks pregnant. When I found out I went to my GP to have my bloods done. I then emailed my endocrinologist at the hospital, told them I was pregnant and that I needed an appointment ASAP. I had one 5 days later with an endocrinologist in the outpatients department. I have a second appointment with the endocrinologist next week and I had my bloods taken again yesterday in advance of that. I know I got into the system just before lockdown so a little different but I would go straight to your gp and then consultant/endocrinologist if you have one. They should be seeing you every 4-5 weeks. If you don’t then it’s still worth contacting the endocrinology department at your hospital and getting an appointment as an outpatient. They may be able to do a telephone appointment following your bloods.
I completely understand how stressful it is. I also would love a scan because I’m terrified of the risks. I know it won’t change anything though so I’m trying to hold out until my scan at 13 weeks.

I hope everyone is doing well and thank you all for your advice, it really helped. I've spoken to my GP and she has booked me in for bloods at 8 weeks and referred me back to my endo. I've also recieved a letter from the hospital and I'm under a consultant with my first appointments at 12 weeks. I feel less alone in this and a bit more steady. We've also decided to do a Harmony test in a local consultant led clinic so I'll get a scan at 10 weeks, which I'm hoping will be good news. I've had much stronger symptoms this time round, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this one sticks.

Hi @MariaDingbat

Sorry I’ve just seen you thread, and glad to see your update.

I’ve also got a blood condition, and history of early recurrent mmc. My GP pushed for me to get the EPAU scan at 6 weeks, and after they met me, they booked me the scans every 2 weeks after this. I had 6,7,8,10, but whilst they have me reassurance, I still found the anxiety kept creeping back in.

As for my bloods, my GP did them first when they found out I was pregnant. I knew I would be high risk and consultant led (7 all non viable pregnancies), but I had to really push to get that first appointment at 7 weeks.

I needed to go on blood thinning injections, or the chances of me miscarrying where high, and the consultant was the only person who could prescribe them.

I’m 13 weeks now, but do feel like I’ve been left to roam, and get on with it. Which is fine, but doesn’t mean I’m not anxious. I completely understand what an amazing job the NHS is doing (they saved my dad) , and how stretched the services are. My appointments have all now turned to phone, with no blood monitoring. They advised me my 16 week scan had to be cancelled, but my MW said go private. She said most private clinics are one in one out, so less risk than the hospital.

I really wish you well in this pregnancy, and glad your getting the support. All I wanted to say, is expect it to be a little slow, maybe by telephone, and use every avenue you can go try and get the support and care you need. X