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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Do you think the NHS will scan me or do I need to pay privately?

27 replies

Username1324568196 · 13/04/2021 07:35

I am around 7.5 weeks pregnant. I've had a lot of nausea and fatigue up until Sunday night, when I had lower back pain and mild cramps.

It probably sounds silly but today I just feel different. I've had two miscarriages in a row, so this would be my third one, and I'd rather know sooner than later if this pregnancy is not going to work out

Do Early pregnancy units scan for this sort of thing or only if you have had bleeding? I haven't had any bleeding as of yet.

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YawnyOwl · 13/04/2021 07:39

You could just say you are bleeding if you really want to know...

romdowa · 13/04/2021 07:40

I ended up in a n e for extreme nausea and dehydration and they referred me for an early scan which I had at 8+1. If you are worried about cramping and pain then I'd definitely contact your midwife and see what she suggests

DragonMamma · 13/04/2021 07:41

I’m afraid they want scan you unless it’s clinically indicated to do so, usually because of bleeding but not always straight away then either.

If you’re looking for reassurance then a private scan is your best (and possibly only) option.

My symptoms ebbed and flowed and I was always convinced I was MC but I didn’t. I hope it’s good news for you

Twizbe · 13/04/2021 07:49

Given your history it's likely they will.

I had early scans with both mine due to bleeds but women I met in the waiting room were there with all sorts of issues.

You have to be referred either through your GP or a&e and try to get there as early as possible.

Speak to you GP ASAP to get referred.
🤞🏻 all is well for you.

Springingintospring · 13/04/2021 08:04

I was told by my doctor, symptoms going and mild cramping wasn't enough to refer me for an NHS scan. It needed to be bad pain and/or bleeding. She was very apologetic and understood why I wanted the reassurance because of past mental health problems.
She advised me to get a private scan which I did. They got me in the next day and all was fine.

Brunothesnake · 13/04/2021 08:06

It’s really not fair to lie and say you’re bleeding as a PP suggested. It just means that someone who is bleeding has to wait longer for a scan. I’d arrange a private scan OP. They will do it quicker and you’ll have your answer. Hope it all goes ok x

Chelyanne · 13/04/2021 08:08

Very unlikely.

You're best going private.

Brunothesnake · 13/04/2021 08:08

Also they’d examine you before the scan if you report bleeding / pain. Sometimes you have to go back for the scan a couple of days later.

Littlegoth · 13/04/2021 08:13

@Brunothesnake I have never ever been examined before I had a scan due to bleeding. I’ve had 3 miscarriages and each time was taken straight for the scan, even when it was just spotting the first time around.

Littlegoth · 13/04/2021 08:14

(Straight for the scan as in when I arrived for my appointment).

Mumoblue · 13/04/2021 08:14

I got a scan at 10 weeks for pretty much the same reason. I also had 2 previous MCs.
You might as well ask, and then maybe look at going private if they say no.

Everything turned out to be well when I had this happen to me, so it doesn’t necessarily mean something bad has happened. Keeping everything crossed for you, OP.

NeurologicallySpeaking · 13/04/2021 08:19

Depends on your EPU. Mine said they would offer a reassurance scan after I had two miscarriages. I had a third and the GP wrote a letter for me to be scanned

rosegoldivy · 13/04/2021 08:20

I had really bad pain in one side during early pregnancy and I phoned the epu and they wanted me in to rule out an etopic pregnancy. They were able to give me an internal scan at 7+3

PurBal · 13/04/2021 08:24

I'd like to think they would. If you need to go private please make sure you get an obstetrician appointment rather than a "high street" scan. Will cost more but if there is anything untoward they can treat you / give you options. Thinking of you OP.

Chelyanne · 13/04/2021 08:25

Our current follows 2 mc and a few chemicals. I worried a lot but I wouldn't lie about bleeding and take a scan which someone who was bleeding could get answers from. My last mc they couldn't scan me at epau for 4 days despite pain and bleeding, that was 2 days too late for me. I held on to hope until I passed baby and avoided pain relief, if I'd had confirmation of what was happening sooner then I would have been thankful for it.

Mygardenisnotperfect · 13/04/2021 08:26

I’m a GP and our early pregnancy unit accepts referrals for bleeding or pain so you would qualify. It’s not always a same day scan but usually within 24h so often the next day.

MySocalledLoaf · 13/04/2021 08:31

Don’t lie about bleeding as PP suggested, they will see if they check your cervix.

Original poster

Username1324568196 · 13/04/2021 08:46

Thanks everyone.
I'll try and get through to the GP later and see what they say. If not I think I'll go private just to put my mind at rest one way or the other

OP posts:

Brunothesnake · 13/04/2021 08:48

@Littlegoth

Must be variable then as I have been examined and told to come back in a couple of days (when bleeding) unless can’t cope with pain or bleeding through more than one pad in an hour. There were no time slots for scans.

I still don’t think people should be lying about symptoms such as bleeding to get a scan.

Crabbypaddy · 13/04/2021 08:49

Definitely don’t lie. See if there are private ones available for ASAP? They’re much cheaper now than I was 9 years ago for my daughter and I felt they had more time to spend with us

Brunothesnake · 13/04/2021 08:58

Good plan OP. Fingers crossed for you x

Littlegoth · 13/04/2021 09:01

@Brunothesnake I agree that it’s not the right approach to lie. I wish that the NHS was consistent with regards to treatment so people are treated the same whatever Trust they sit within.

StevieG55 · 13/04/2021 09:27

They don't usually scan unless ur bleeding. I did hear of a midwife referring a friend for an early scan because she mentioned she was anxious after a previous miscarriage.

A colleague also got given an early scan as 2 previous miscarriages and she was 40.

bananamonkey · 13/04/2021 09:31

I had an early scan after a MMC and a few chemical pregnancies despite no bleeding, I asked GP to refer me for reassurance, she thought it was unlikely they’d agree but the EPAU were more than happy to (they had lots of space that weekend so may have been a factor but were very welcoming), fingers crossed op.

Coachee · 13/04/2021 09:36

Some EPAUs might be more flexible. First you’d need to check whether they will allow self referrals and criteria for these - as you might be able to just do that (I know that two in North London where I used to live allowed that).

Then I’d speak to your GP if they require a GP referral, and present your case. Personally, I think two miscarriages should trigger a scan, but will depend on their criteria. Good luck.

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