My maternity unit, having kicked me out last time because 'they don't do complications' has become even more shite!

[whomovedmychocolate]

DD is 13 months, I'm pregnant - but because I'm breastfeeding we don't know how pregnant. So off I go to the docs to notify him and he says: no worries, you'll get an appointment for a dating scan within the next one or two weeks.

It's really important I do because I had some serious problems in my last pregnancy and I need to assess early on whether they are likely to recur and get assigned to the specialists etc.

So this was last Friday and having not heard anything I called the hospital direct today and after them claiming not to have received the form, then finally admitted they did have it they were delighted to inform me my dating scan would be for.....wait for it.....end of January next year.

Apparently they don't do dating scans till you are at least 12 weeks because 'it saves us having to scan people who might miscarry'. Particularly hurtful because I had a miscarriage a few months ago.

Bastards!

They can't even accept a consultant referral because I haven't had a dating scan. If it turns out I'm already two months gone, I will be FOUR MONTHS gone before my scan and it takes three to four weeks to get to see the consultant. So I'll be five months pregnant before we get to assess the health of both me and baby - which to be clear on this, could be a life and death thing.

I'm so fucking angry.

I don't mind paying for a dating scan myself, I can do that, but the 'we have a system, you will fit into it' attitude really sucks.

The worst bit, the receptionist said in a nod nod wink wink voice, 'of course if you had cause to come into the early pregnancy assessment unit you'd get an earlier scan'. ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

bloody hell!can you complain?im so shocked!!

Well if that's what you have to do, do it. Sod the system.

Could you go back to your GP and ask for a referral to the early pregancy assessment unit.?

This happens here as well - I can kind of see their point, but when you're pregnant it's not much help and I totally understand your frustration. The NHS focuses on the practical, without taking into account the emotional IMO.

If you raised your concerns with your midwife, could she speed things up? Or speak directly to your consultant (or your previous one if you don't know who you'll get this time)? Or - if all else fails, and you're really anxious (which I would be) go for that early scan via the early pregnancy assessment unit.

That's awful for you - really sorry you are going through this. I know what you mean about the worst being the attitude - it would drive me mad.

Paolosgirl - ironically you can't book in with the midwife till you have a dating scan and a due date!

I've got a doctors appt tomorrow and am going to raise a bit of hell and see if we can't find a better solution with the regional hospital.

It's bloody stupid, they can scan me now, costing about £40 to the NHS, or I can go onto a special care ward in a few months because I wasn't properly monitored for oooh six months

WMMC, where are you? I know someone who had an early scan a couple of weeks ago (IVF baby) and the JR did one for about £120.

I'm in North Oxfordshire but delivered last time at the JR because of all the complications and I want to be treated there again, but my nearly skanky hellhole hospital is the Horton.

I can get a viability scan privately up here for £40, but would rather go to the JR because it supports their fertility unit (don't mind paying the extra not to have to go to the £40 place because they were a bit crap last time (kept me waiting over an hour with a full bladder then complained that I was under 12 week - well yeeeesss that'd be why it was a viability scan then). s

nearest, not nearly See how my pregnant brain works (and my s key is still stuck down too!

Congratulations on your pregnancy

NHS can suck at times. Get an EPAU referal from GP.

wmmc, god what a nightmare
can you try and get referred to the Silver Star unit at the JR? if you had complications in your last pregnancy
the JR is not perfect but I think it is the right place for you.
what does your gp say?

congratulations wmmc

I hope you get the scan soon. It's all very well saying you will pay if you have to, but imho you should be entitled to the scan on the NHS given your history. I hope your doctor can help you out.

WMMC - bury your principles and go to the epu with "symptoms".

You will feel much better.

Yup. I'd do the same thing.

If they're more intent on their system than your needs - and you trying to save a lengthy hospital stay - then they're not giving you proper care. Sounds like the receptionist knows this is a rubbish system. They may well not like it either and be cross about having to enforce it. Of course, they can't tell you that.

I'd get yourself some 'symptoms' ad go into the epu.

can you not bypass shitty local hospital and go straight to JR? Call JR up or ask your GP.

So stupid, you are an exception to the general rule because your medical history and b/f status means you have a real need for an early dating scan.

ime you will need a referral to the JR from your GP, I can't see this would be a problem though in the circs

Thanks everyone, I was in the silver star unit and will ask for a referral there tomorrow. The problem is probably that my doctor didn't write 'heart condition/pre eclampsia/unable to walk at all by 16 weeks' etc on the form. I'll take my notes from my last pregnancy and beat the doctor with them till he refers me

hurray! good plan.
sorry you are having such a bad time

congratulations on your pregnancy !

Lulu didn't recognise you in the chickensuit! Why thank you. Am vomiting a lot so I know at least that this one is bedding in nicely (whenever I miscarried before I didn't get morning sickness so I'm holding that as a good omen).

BTW Camilla - what do you call you with a yoghurt?

A doula with a Muller

I was under silver star with PE too - definitely ask for a referral, I'm sure they will see you. I have been referred to see Prof Redman for a mere pre-conception appt so surely they will see a pregnant woman with severe complications in her last pg! What a stupid system. Good luck, hope you get some joy out of the gp.

and Prof is a very reasonable man - if they give you any flannel tomorrow write straight to him and ask for an appt

He was lovely to me MrsBadger - of all the many people who came to examine my scar after my csection he was the only one who helped me sit back up again afterwards. Don't know why but I've never forgotten it!

oh yes, vomiting is surely a good thing in these circumstances