Can't get a scan

[Fuzzyhippo]

I'm really struggling getting through to someone about this pregnancy. I haven't had a period since March/April, previously was going ahead for termination but decided I couldn't do it because I honestly don't know how far gone I am. I didn't have a scan, just sent me the pills via post and didn't hear from them again. Although I asked for a scan at the time they said they couldn't due to lack of appointments.

Can't get hold of midwife, been trying since June. The doctors say if I want a scan I need to go to A&E and they'll refer me. I've been calling them weekly to try and get a different doctor but only 2 are working there at the moment. Went to A&E and they told me I need to go back to the doctor as they'll have to refer me as it's not something A&E can help with. I told them the doctor told me to go to A&E. This is a bloody nightmare and I feel like if I don't do something soon they'll just take baby away because I can't get hold of any antinatal care and they'll think I'm incapable especially with my existing mental health conditions.

I've got a massive bump and feel very clear movements, this is my 3rd pregnancy so very aware of the process of antinatal care and getting in contact with a midwife but this time it's so much harder. And I definitely can't afford to go private as I'm practically homeless now as it is.

Any idea on what I can do? I don't have any problem getting through to the doctor when it comes to getting my antidepressants sorted, but when I mention the pregnancy they say they can't help.

I would say have you googled your hospital and antenatal care as you may be able to self refer to the midwife and when you enter last period date they should get you in pretty quickly.

When I only found out at 20 weeks I contacted the antenatal dept at the hospital. A lovely midwife arranged a scan for 2 days later

They won't take your baby away OP. It's not mandatory to have antenatal care and you have evidence you've been seeking it for months!

Contact your hospitals antenatal team.

Pay gor a private scan to get everything kicked off?

You don't need your GP, you google your local nhs trust maternity team anf contact the midwives directly, they will then contact you to get you booked in

A lot of hospitals allow you to self refer? Have you googled your closest hospital and done this? Have you contacted the maternity wing at the hospital rather than going to A&E?

Do you have a midwife? You say you spoke to a doctor which would be unusual for a standard pregnancy so can you confirm you are in the UK?

It’s not really that you need a one off scan (eg at A&E) it’s that you need to be booked into the system. Have you self referred? Have you spoken to a midwife?

Thanks for the replies, I wasn't aware I could self refer online so I'll do that now. I've always been referred to a midwife by the doctor so I didn't know there was another way

🤦🏻‍♀️

Very helpful, thanks..

In many area this is the only way.

Thank you. I'm not very tech savvy, so I've always gone the route of speaking to someone face-to-face. People must think I'm absolutely mental

No you’ve passed from pillar to post over something you should have been given clear advice about. Everywhere has different systems, you should have been told what to do.

As others have said, a scan isn’t particularly important, what is important is being “in the system” and under midwife care. Sounds like you’ve missed the window for routine scans but you need a midwife appointment for booking in, measurements etc.

If you can’t find a way to self-refer, I would speak to the receptionist at your GP and ask them what the process is.