Is anyone being scanned by NHS prior to 12 weeks?

[MariaDingbat]

Hi all,

I'm 7 weeks today, 40, Hashimotos and had multiple miscarriages. I've had my booking appointment confirmed for the 28th May. I was told by my EPU they are doing no scans prior to 12 weeks even if I'm bleeding, but I've noticed lots of people are replying to messages seem to be getting scans at 6,7,8 weeks etc. I was wondering is everyone going to private places for scans or are they being offered them through the NHS? It seems like there are huge inconsistencies going on at moment regarding antennal care. I appreciate the pressures the NHS is under right now, but surely that shouldn't mean pregnant women are being treated differently depending on where you live? This isn't to disparage anyone who has had scans, I'm glad they're being taken care of, but I wish we were all getting the same care.

Hiya

I'm 36, first pregnancy, hashimotos, hypo and some neuro conditions that make me high risk too and had some bleeding at 6 weeks. Didnt get a scan and haven't seen anyone yet (have an appt with consultant in 2 weeks) I'm just under 10 weeks.

I have had a scan but I did this through a private clinic after the bleed cos I couldnt wait to see if I had miscarried until the 12 week scan (which will be 13 weeks)

Hi. I have had previous miscarriages in the past, i started bleeding in this pregnancy and had significant pain. They scanned me but did say they are trying not to scan that much, just a few cases.
I think it's down to which hospital you are being cared at because i had heard the 'no scans at all' from others and was worried they wouldn't.
They have said they won't scan me further till the 12 weeks one now though.

Hi, I have had a scan at 7+5. I did pay for a private one though. My local EPU are scanning early if bleeding or severe pain.

Unfortunately they arent offered as routine before 12 weeks anywhere. If you can afford it, I would go private. Gave me a sense or reassurance.

Hi I’m not 14weeks pregnant. I’ve had 7 mmc, and am classes as high risk at 32.

I’ve been scanned at the EPAU (lancashire trust) at 6,7,8,10 weeks and then my 12 week scan. I’m due to have another at 16 and then 20. I had not shown no signs of bleeding or anything being wrong, but then no signs that I was pregnant either, they just had them down as reassurance and I was referred by my midwife, consultant and GP. Maybe speak to them and see if they could do anything. Sorry to hear about your trust.

I found the EPAU great, as they where the ones who booked my scans in everytime. but have found the Antental care limited. I’m meant to have regular consultant checks, but these are all over the phone. No taking my blood pressure, blood test etc. I do agree there should be set measures across each trust.

Thanks everyone and I'm really glad your scans all went well. I was told prior to getting pregnant that I would be having scans from 6 weeks, but instead, I recieved a letter from my miscarriage consultant saying no scans and with advice for meds and progesterone. I just feel a little unsure and nervous as I was told before getting pregnant that I would have a medical safety net but now it's gone.

I'm going to book in for a Harmony test privately at 10 weeks and that will be my first scan. I'm just very scared of another MMC and but knowing for weeks. Plus scared in case I get bad news on my own this time. It's bloody typical that I would get pregnant during a pandemic, can't just do things the easy way!

*not knowing for weeks

I had a scan last week at 6 weeks, at the hospital at the EPU. No history, it’s my second baby and I had some spotting and cramping so spoke to my midwife as I hadn’t had that in previous pregnancy. She told me to call EPU who booked me in the following day for a scan ‘just in case’. I think it’s very much dependent on the individual trusts and what their policies are.

I'm so glad people are getting support where there's spotting or bleeding, but my trust said if I'm bleeding then just wait 2 weeks and take a pregnancy test! I wish there was consistency and that everyone got support no matter where they lived.

I had no bleeding with my last miscarriage, the baby stopped growning at 7 weeks and I didn't find out until 10 weeks. That's what I'm very scared about, waiting weeks, getting symptoms and feeling attached only to have it all pulled away again. I'm also worried about ectopic, I'm too old to risk losing a tube and I was hoping an early scan would at least show everything was in the right place. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself that it's going to be a little harder than I thought it would, especially as this could be my only shot at being a mum.

Where about are you OP? Sounds very similar to what my EPU said to me when I was bleeding so we might be in the same trust

My EPU saw me for severe bleeding lots of times between 6 and 12 weeks. But I've haemorrhaged a number of times and 4 of those scans were direct from A&E. I'm sorry you aren't getting the care you would like. I know how nerve wracking early pregnancy is.

@Lyris I'm in the South Eastern Trust in Co. Down. They're always been really good before this.

Ah not the same then, I'm in Merseyside

Thats actually disgusting having a blanket ban of no scans until 12 weeks. When i had a mc at 11.5 weeks the scan was to confirm my womb lining was coming away properly so i didnt get sepsis. This sounds like they are happy to risk womens lives.

You have to have a medical reason for an early scan through NHS - I have a genetic condition which means I have to have CVS at 11 weeks due to this I always have a dating scan between 7-9 week on the NHS so they can determine when 11 weeks is so I can go in for the CVS xx