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Pregnancy

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Original poster

9 weeks, debating an early private scan. What do you do if something is wrong?

77 replies

BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 09:31

As the title says really. I’ve no reason so think anything is wrong, but finding it hard to wait another 3 and a half weeks, especially in the event it’s already not viable (I’ve had a previous early miscarriage)

Really tempted to just pay for an early scan, I know the likelihood of a loss really goes down after seeing a heartbeat. But in the event something has already gone wrong and you’re at a private scan, what do you do? Do you call the EPU and tell them and they scan again? Just feel like I need a contingency plan

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/04/2020 09:34

I wouldn’t do a private scan. Not at the moment. As few as necessary.

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 09:38

@Wolfiefan I’ve thought about this, but honestly I don’t see it as any riskier than an occasional shop visit, which I’m also doing.

OP posts:
Tjsmumma · 15/04/2020 09:42

Personally i dont think its worth the risk. If you are so concerned why not get a doppler in the mean time? No contact needed, you are in very eaely stages, maybe if you were later in the pregnancy but you have already had previous losses i seriously wouldn't risk it myself. A doppler would ensure you hear the heart beat and give you peace of mind.

Its not tlo long til the scan, even that one is a slight risk, why double the risk?

legalseagull · 15/04/2020 09:43

Yes if something was wrong you call the EPU but I doubt any early scan places are actually operating?

legalseagull · 15/04/2020 09:43

Please don't get a Doppler. Even midwives struggle to find heartbeats before 16 weeks. It's an anxiety causing nightmare

Quiffy · 15/04/2020 09:44

I had a private scan at 8 weeks and it was very comforting - I was still bricking it come my 12 week (which was 13 weeks really) but it let me enjoy the weeks inbetween that much more, as I really didnt believe anything was in there.

This was just before Covid kicking off (Mar 1st) but I think if they have precautions in place and your MH is really suffering it should be a considertation. My DH also got to come which was brilliant as he was not allowed in the 12 week, so we got to see the baby together first.

I think the sonographer there would advise you, most likely to speak to EPU. But hopefuly you don;t need any of that

Tjsmumma · 15/04/2020 09:45

Sorry, i forgot that part! I wouldn't suggest using it all the time also, as i was told beart beat isnt a valid verification i things are actually ok. If you had concerns you go to early pregnancy unit as usual but unfortunately this early theres not much you can do x

lovelydream · 15/04/2020 09:45

Don't get a Doppler you won't hear the heartbeat this early

Get a private scan if you are really worried but to be honest your 12 week scan appointment is only a couple of weeks away so I would wait for that

Chanel05 · 15/04/2020 09:49

It's probably best to wait in this situation but I think it depends on your anxiety/ mental health. If you are having an unhealthy level of stress and anxiety then you should go to relieve this but if it's just a well it'd be nice as the scan is so long away then I wouldn't risk it.

Isadora2007 · 15/04/2020 09:50

The private scan places near us are also closed now. To be honest there isn’t really anything you can do and you’re trying to control an uncontrollable time. Save your money and wait. Women have been carrying babies for millennia now so take peace from that a little bit and perhaps treat yourself to something nice to make the weeks until your hospital scan pass more enjoyably.

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 09:52

Thanks for the responses all - I definitely wouldn’t get a Doppler! I’m not trained to use one and I imagine it’s way too early for one anyway

I keep flitting between ‘it’s fine I’ll just wait’ and ‘I really want a scan now’. I’m worried about a MMC, I know the likelihood of one is low (despite what it seems from posts here) but it does play on me.

OP posts:
sel2223 · 15/04/2020 09:52

I had an early private scan and it really helped reassure me once I'd seen it was in the right place and had a heart beat etc. There are mixed views on here about private scans in general but I think it's individual choice. I certainly didn't regret it.

Mine was before CV though so that is something to factor in. I would imagine those places still doing scans will have lots of precautions in place but it's worth asking what before you go.

I really don't think a Doppler is a good idea if you're already anxious. Most trusts don't even listen to the heartbeat at 16 weeks now as even experienced, trained midwives can struggle to find it and it causes a lot of panic and anxiety.

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 09:53

@Isadora2007 this is how I am on my sane and lucid days! I’m not someone who likes being out of control at the best of times 😂

OP posts:
October2020 · 15/04/2020 09:53

Answering your question instead of commenting on whether you should or not.... Hmm

We had a private scan at 8 weeks after a scan at our IVF clinic at 6 weeks. At the private scan the sonographer told us that the pregnancy was "probably ectopic". Obviously all hell broke loose. She rang the consultant attached to the scanning place and he said as I wasn't in pain that I should wait until the morning to ring the EPU. She then rang the EPU who said the same thing. As it happened I then had a haemorrhage that night so we ended up in A&E anyway.

Baby absolutely fine and NOT ectopic. Not sure quite how she got it so wrong and scared us silly - I spent that evening in a hospital bed googling terminations and praying.

It would depend on the 'what's wrong' as to what would happen now. If, sadly, you had a missed miscarriage or any other non-viable but not health/life-threatening condition then the EPU probably wouldn't see you (but there isn't anything they can do for you anyway, unfortunately). If it was health/life-threatening then even in these times they would have you in. I keep reading that the EPU won't see people but I've personally been into my EPU at least 8 times in the last 6 weeks so they definitely are if it is dangerous to your health.

However, having said all that - the likelihood of a problem is really very small. And I agree that the risk is significantly lower than going shopping - we have looked for somewhere to scan me at 16 weeks and they're only allowing one in at a time and fully disinfecting between patients.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Tjsmumma · 15/04/2020 09:54

Andeven then, are you 100% sure you are infact 9 weeks? If not and you are earlier that'll play on your mind more as you will need to wait longer to see. Everyone has this anxiety to make sure baby is safe and well, i know its difficult given previous miscarriage but a lot of others have too. I agree with PP spend the money on something nice for yourself and wait it out

Littlebb2020 · 15/04/2020 09:57

Have one if you want one op. Don’t let anyone on here tell you your risking it. The private clinic I go to classes them as a medical need which they are in my eyes. You’ve also had a previous Miscarriage which is making you extra anxious. I say go for it if you want one, I’ve already had a few x

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 09:58

@Tjsmumma as sure as I can be. I have clockwork cycles, have been tracking including BBT for years (was using natural cycles for contraception before TTC) we were trying, had ovulation confirmed with BBT and OPKs, and I had a clear positive test at 10DPO. I’d be very surprised if my dates were out.

OP posts:
RyanStartedTheFire · 15/04/2020 09:59

I've just booked an early scan for mid May. Our private scan place is closed until then. I feel like the benefits of not feeling stressed and worried constantly will outweigh the risk of catching Covid as long as I'm careful and mindful. I don't have any experience of a bad private scan unfortunately so can't advise you in that way. And 9 weeks is plenty far enough for a private scan, even if you are a few days out. You can see a heartbeat from 6/7 weeks.

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 10:01

Thanks @October2020 that’s really helpful. I’ve heard other reports of incorrect results on private scans which did put me off tbh. I have been told to call EPU directly if I have pain/cramping and/or bleeding, which I don’t, so I know risk is low. I’ve also heard they’re not offering medical management for MMC at the moment which would possibly be worse, in that case I’d rather not know. Lower back pain bothering me for the last couple of days which is probably normal but it’s hard not to worry when I know how easily things can go wrong. I think pregnancy is just an anxious time regardless

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/04/2020 10:05

The advice is to limit to essential trips only. This isn’t. Unless you have real cause for concern then I wouldn’t.
And as someone who has had losses. Sorry but the reassurance only goes as far as there’s a heartbeat at that time.
I wouldn’t.

Tjsmumma · 15/04/2020 10:06

@buffalocauliflower i only mention this as this happenes to us, i thought i was 13 weeks and by scan date i was only just 6 and they said we must of just gotten it right to get to see heartbeat! I have PCOS so didn't have a regular cycle or anything to really go from! Best of luck with everything x

Hopefulin2020 · 15/04/2020 10:09

I can't answer the question as to whether private scans are available/what the best course of action would be now, but just to answer the bit about what would happen post a private scan...

I had a private scan at 10 weeks in 2018, during which the sonographer sadly said there was no heartbeat. She printed us a report and advised me to call the EPU of the hospital I was receiving maternity care under. Usually my EPU needs a referral from a GP, so I also rang them and the receptionist said a Dr would phone me back. In the meantime, I phoned the EPU directly and they were having a quieter afternoon I think and said I could head directly there. They performed another ultrasound where they confirmed there was no heartbeat and then explained next steps. Admittedly this was all pre-Covid and so things might be different now but just to offer some insight into my experience. I do know sometimes you have to wait two weeks before scans for confirmation - my circumstances at the time were a bit different.

I would add that I am now pregnant again (23 weeks) and all has been fine so far and it's still more likely than not for you that all is also ok! I completely understand the nerves - those first weeks until 12 weeks can feel very long.

magicalpeach · 15/04/2020 10:15

I think you should have a private scan OP if you feel it would put your mind at rest.

I had a private scan last year in May which unfortunately for me confirmed a missed miscarriage (I already had a gut feeling this would be the case so I wasn't shocked - hopefully not for you!).

The sonographer at the private scan rang EPU at my local hospital and arranged an appointment for me there for the following week. I literally didn't have to arrange anything myself which was really helpful, however it might be different depending on where you are in the country I guess and also with CV going on atm.

Like I said hopefully this won't be the case for you and yours will all be fine. I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant with my rainbow baby due next month Smile. I would 100% get a private scan in the future though if I happened to fall pregnant again to put my mind at rest... world pandemic or not!

Vicki81 · 15/04/2020 10:23

Im in the exact same position. I’m 9+5 and really anxious with the wait. I had an EPU scan due to bleeding at what should have been 6 weeks. Sac present but no heartbeat. Went back two weeks later and there was a heartbeat but still measuring 10 days behind lmp. I have two weeks until my dating scan now but I’m paranoid about development

seventhrow · 15/04/2020 10:29

I've been debating the same thing. I'm 10 weeks, 2 1/2 until the scan. I talked to my husband just last night about getting an early one, in large part because I feel bad he'll miss out on coming with me. But he said that he'd really rather not because if something isn't right they're not best placed to advise / deal with it. I'd then have a horrid wait until the main scan or a referral and have to go into the hospital alone knowing something is wrong. If something IS wrong, much better to find out in the right place. I've got no actual symptoms to suggest things aren't going ticketty boo so would rather not make things unduly stressful.

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