Could I get an early NHS scan?

[Veryxonfused]

Hi all,

I had a MMC a few months ago where the baby measured 5-6 weeks with no heartbeat at an 8 week scan. I’m currently pregnant again (second pregnancy) and like my first pregnancy, had a bit of brown spotting at the 4 week mark. Just wondering if the NHS would scan me because of this? I would ideally like a scan at around 6 weeks as I know you should see a heartbeat by then. I know everywhere is different but wondering if people could give me their experiences?

Thanks

Hi, I think it’s unlikely you will get an NHS for spotting. Also, even a scan at 6w might not show a heartbeat, and even if it does, it doesn’t mean everything is ok. I’ve had miscarriages and seen a heartbeat at 6-7w. I know it’s very tough, but do you think an early scan would give you reassurance, even if you see a heartbeat? If you think it would help, maybe book a private scan for 8w, but honestly it may only reduce your fear for a bit.

the EPU gave me a scan at 7 weeks after a MMC. During the miscarriage treatment they told me that was the case.

and the EPU also scanned me for spotting the first time round, which is how I found out I had miscarried

Thanks for your replies. It’s not just about the reassurance. It’s more the fact that I don’t want to carry my dead baby for weeks and weeks. I only ended up having the medical management last time at around 11 weeks as I had to have 2 NHS scans after a private scan, all a week apart.

I'd phone EPU and see what they say. They might not scan you for spotting but you may as well ask in case they will.

If not, there are lots of places you can get a private scan, and some do discounts for first scans.

My EPU scanned if there was any spotting and also scanned after I'd had two consecutive miscarriages to give me reassurance. I'd phone up and ask and try and get a referral. Hope it goes well.

I work in radiology including rotation in EPAU. I you are concerned you can ring your local EPU. Generally you can't just request a scan at 6 weeks because you want one. You may or may not be given a scan for spotting, depends on how much blood there was. The NHS usually offer early scans to women who have had 3 or more miscarriages as it is much more common that most women realise and we can scan everyone on request. As you know though, you could pay for a private scan for reassurance but would need two confirmation scans with the NHS if there were issues.

I’ve always been scanned for spotting at our EPU. I have always had to be referred through my GP to the EPU. After my third consecutive miscarriage they scanned every two weeks until I was 12 weeks and then every three weeks after that.

EPU should def scan you for any bleeding but probably won't see you until 6 weeks earliest. Where I am, you have to get referred by your GP so worth giving them a call and asking to be referred x

I’m going to try but if not I’ll book a private scan next Saturday, I should be 6+2 weeks if I make it that far.

The private scan clinic near me do them abdominally - would they be able to see clearly at only 6+2?

I had an early scan with my last pregnancy at 6 weeks, by phoning the EPAU. It was after three MCs though, so may have been due to that, and after confirming there was a heartbeat I was prescribed progesterone and aspirin.

(Not sure if that helped or it was just 4th time lucky but I'm mumsnetting while breastfeeding the resulting baby)

Wishing you the best of luck

I would go to one that does them transvaginally. That’s the best method at that many weeks. I’ve been scanned from the third miscarriage every 2 weeks until 12wks. I think if you want reassurance early it’s best to go private, I did this for the first 2 miscarriages, unfortunately it didn’t work out, even when I had a heartbeat, but I got a few scans so managed to get a medical intervention early, as like you I didn’t want to carry the non-growing cells about.

I wouldn't go until 8 weeks. I had a baby measuring 6 weeks at 8, with a heartbeat and I miscarried. I had already started spotting and the baby being over a week behind when I was certain of dates meant I knew something was wrong. I doubt an earlier scan would have indicated anything other than that I was pregnant with one baby.

Definitely only go for one transvaginal at 6 weeks, the abdomen scan really don't pick up much that early and you'll risk being more worried as a result. Each time I've been for one at around the 6-7 week mark they've done abdominal first and said they can see the sac and that's it, so switched to transvaginal and could see the heartbeat and get measurements etc. if you only have abdominal as an option near you privately then hold off until 8 weeks. Good luck!