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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:
Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 17:25

@Mimba1 that all sounds quite reasonable to me. I’d sort of thought I wouldn’t want to be walking around knowing a baby that had passed was in me, but I’m also very aware that you never know how you’re going to feel until you’re actually in it. But yes, hopeful I never have to decide. I know the odds are in my favour by this point, but it’s hard not to worry anyway

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triedandtestedteacher · 15/04/2020 17:34

@Mimba1 I had an erpc in hospital. For me I had a private scan and then another at the hospital. My husband then wanted a second opinion so I actually had a third scan so I def knew it had gone. Possibly if I hadn't seen a heartbeat previously and there was a possibility we were just too early I would have wanted to wait but there wasn't any doubt in my mind. For me I couldn't stand waiting around and I had my dd at home to take care of. I was also scared of the unknown element of what it would actually 'look' like and what I would do with it if I miscarried at home. The erpc was very straightforward and I had no pain and very little bleeding afterwards.

Mimba1 · 15/04/2020 18:00

@triedandtestedteacher that makes perfect sense. I hope my comments didn't sound like any kind of judgement - they weren't meant to be at all. I was sharing my thought process because I was asked to but I in no way think my views (which let's face it, could change if the circumstances were different) should apply to anyone else. I'd say every person has to make the best choice for them at a really horrid time and obviously every situation is different.

triedandtestedteacher · 15/04/2020 18:05

@Mimba1 no I didn't think you were judging I just wanted to put the other thought process out there. It is a very hard thing to do and there are no 'better' options really

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 15/04/2020 18:52

@triedandtestedteacher it’s really helpful and interesting to hear different views. Thank you for sharing

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Tjsmumma · 15/04/2020 19:22

@peachypetite did you see my follow up post? I apologised saying i forgot about it not working that early. Every one is human and makes mistakes, feels so long ago I'd been there. I also stated not to use as a reliable method either..

Ereshkigalangcleg · 15/04/2020 19:29

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

I had to go to my GP with the scan paperwork as EPU don't allow you to self refer in my area, and they referred me for an early scan 10 days later which confirmed MMC. Then I had medical management at the EPU (which didn't work but that's another story).

I was entitled to have a repeat private scan if I wanted in the next fortnight.

Flowersforpowers · 15/04/2020 19:46

I had a private scan at just under 8 weeks - just knew something wasn't right. They measured at 6 weeks, no heartbeat. Not enough to say a definite missed miscarriage as it was theoretically possible my dates were out. Went to my GP who half heartedly referred me to EPU, but warned me not to expect anything. Never heard from EPU, miscarried at 11 weeks.

Only you can say whether you need an early scan. I'm now pregnant again, didn't have a scan this time but 12 weeks felt like a long long wait!

London91 · 15/04/2020 19:58

@BuffaloCauliflower I had a private scan last week and they were taking extra precautions. Door was locked and you had to wait to be let in, staff in gloves, offered gloves if you wanted them, you could smell that it had recently been disinfected, disinfected pens after use, the sonogropher was wearing gloves and face mask and an apron, there was only one other woman and her mum with her. I felt very safe.

Workingmama1 · 15/04/2020 20:19

@Vicki81 they suggested the outcome is likely not good. She said she couldn't diagnose a miscarriage but if she was being honest that was the most likely thing. But that sometimes (though rarely) it works out ok

Pineappletree33 · 15/04/2020 20:52

I’m 8 weeks tomorrow and tempted to have a private scan, they’re quite expensive round here, I’m not working due to covid and I know it won’t change the outcome.
I’ve had some brown spotting this evening so my anxiety is in overdrive. I’ve previously had a mmc discovered at 12 week scan and one at Christmas at 11.5 weeks.
I wouldn’t have medical management again if I needed an assisted mc.
So hard to know the right thing to do.

Vicki81 · 16/04/2020 07:51

@Workingmama1 good luck for today. I’ve also managed to book myself in for a private scan today so will see

Workingmama1 · 16/04/2020 09:41

@Vicki81 good luck today!

bee222 · 16/04/2020 11:37

I found out I had another miscarriage at a private scan. It was dealt with appallingly and I would never recommend someone to have an early scan unless it’s for medical reasons. These companies are purely set up to sell “gender” reveal tat.
I was told abruptly that my pregnancy was not viable.
I was left staring at a big giant screen attached to the wall showing my empty 10 week sac and was forced to walk out into the store (it was in a mothercare store) past all the pregnant mums shopping for pushchairs to use the toilets so they could try an internal scan. Another member of staff had to tell the person doing the scan to switch the screen off. They had absolutely no empathy and even emailed me the scan pictures a week later along with a request for a review. This was with ultrasound direct.

I had to contact the EPAU to arrange for a scan to confirm. They won’t take the scan from a private company as proof, because in their experience, they are often inadequate.

TwinkleStars15 · 16/04/2020 11:43

I used my doppler from 9.5 weeks and found the heartbeat every time, after 3 losses it was very reassuring. I’m now 19 weeks and don’t use it anymore as I can feel baby moving. Dopplers are fine if you are a sensible person who knows not to use it for reassurance once you start feeling movement. There are some uneducated people out there who use them instead of antenatal care! My midwife was fine with it. I’m baffled as to how a trained midwife wouldn’t be able to find a heartbeat at 16 weeks! Confused

triedandtestedteacher · 16/04/2020 11:55

@bee222 that is almost exactly the same experience I had with ultrasound direct. They emailed me the photos too. They were awful. Feel the same that they are just geared up to entertaining people and selling teddy bears

bluemoon2468 · 16/04/2020 11:58

Any decent private scan company will have a care pathway where they can refer you to the NHS if there is something wrong. There should be details of this on their website - don't book with a company that don't have this in place. I personally had a scan at 9.5 weeks with Window to the Womb for reassurance. Couldn't wait until my NHS scan at 12.5 weeks.

triedandtestedteacher · 16/04/2020 12:04

@bluemoon2468 I asked the sonographer at ultrasound direct what I should do and she had very little sympathy or advice just wanted to get the next pregnant lady in

Ereshkigalangcleg · 16/04/2020 13:30

Mine was sympathetic but she could not refer me directly in this area. My EPU only take referrals from GPs or presumably A&E etc.

Workingmama1 · 16/04/2020 20:35

Had my scan today with window to the womb. Unfortunately it wasn't a good outcome for me and they confirmed as miscarriage.
However the clinic were brilliant and really professional. The only unprofessional part was when she hugged me as I was crying - not exactly conforming to social distancing but I appreciated the hug!
They asked me to fill out the forms when I first arrived in the car and they came and got me to reduce the amount of time I was in the clinic. All staff had gloves and masks.
They were very sympathetic and gently talked me through what they could see on the screen after asking me if I wanted to look.
They then rang my EPU to confirm my appointment and next steps so I didn't need to. They also asked if it was OK for them to contact me in a week to check i got the follow up care I needed. I left with my scan report, a letter with my EPU appointment, a leaflet on missed miscarriage and a list with the contact numbers of all of the local EPUs.
Although I didn't get the outcome I wanted the clinic was brilliant, and if I get pregnant again, I would definitely consider using them again...

Ereshkigalangcleg · 17/04/2020 00:54

Had my scan today with window to the womb. Unfortunately it wasn't a good outcome for me and they confirmed as miscarriage.

I'm so sorry love, it's shitty Thanks

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 17/04/2020 08:48

@Workingmama1 so sorry to hear your news, I’ve seen on the November baby thread too. Glad they’ve treated you well.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but was there a reason you were having early scans? Did you suspect something was wrong?

OP posts:
Workingmama1 · 17/04/2020 10:48

@buffalocauliflower I had a small bleed at 5/6 weeks which is why I was scanned at EPU. Seems like it probably stopped developing a few days after that

Original poster
BuffaloCauliflower · 17/04/2020 10:51

@Workingmama1 thank you. Hope you’re doing ok x

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fool11 · 17/04/2020 11:01

I had 8w scan (ivf) baby, then 10w private one (as last time we found at 10w 4d that i had a MMC) , then 12w nhs and 12w private (with the harmony test)..had a private scan at 10w with our first and found it very reassuring, obviously, second time with the MMC it was heartbreaking to find out but was glad we didn't wait till 12w..that's why we had a private one again at 10w with this pregnancy. Good luck x