Did you ever have an early pregnancy scan & if so how did you get it?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I am approx 6 weeks pregnant, a miracle out of the blue natural pregnancy after TTC for 5 years and IVF to have DS! I had 2 early scans with DS at the assisted conception unit and was then referred to the general maternity unit after that. My understanding is that, in general, women don't get early scans unless there is bleeding, history of m/c or ectopic pregnancy etc. I don't have any of these but asked my HV today if I could get referred for an early scan because of my infertility history as I am feeling pretty anxious if all is well with the baby as I can't seem to believe that I am actually pregnant, plus I have heard so many horror stories of missed miscarriages etc from friends and from the internet. I also had several days last week of severe bloating and diarrhoea which I had when PG last time (and had to be hospitalised for 4 days, although it was directly related to the IVF). This has worried me in case it could have affected babba.

She said she would ask the GP's at the practice meeting if I could get a scan and then called me later to say that they want me to see one of the Dr's before they decide if they'll refer me. So I'm going up on Friday. Any idea what they will ask me? I would dearly love a scan to know all is well and that baby has a heartbeat and then I can start to relax a bit, is that an unreasonable request do you think?

Where are you? Some EPUs eg in London you can self refer to and get a reassurance scan

Otherwise you can of course pay for one

You are right - after a normal conception you only get an early scan if you have bleeding, ectopic pain or a history of recurrent miscarriage. Maybe if you really emphasise your distress your doctor will bend the rules, but tbh loads of women are very nervous at your stage and if they bend the rules for everyone it would be a huge burden on the NHS.

Can you afford to go private? That is what I did as I was really nervous and DH was going away. It cost £90 and was much clearer than an NHS scan .

I'm in Glasgow. I know I could pay for a scan but I'm trying to see if I can get referred first as we are going to have to get a private nuchal scan (£200) and all these things mount up. We paid lots for private scans for DS and I think it's a bit unfair that we don't get offered what I think we are all entitled to! We don't get 20 week scans up here either so that could potentially be yet another £200...

At our local hosp (in London), you can just roll up at the early pregnancy unit and they will scan you.

Another good reason to live in London

I had an early scan (at six weeks - my first pregnancy). They gave me this because I wasn't sure of my dates - they scanned me just in case I was twelve weeks.

I was pretty sure I was only about six weeks, but didn't emphasise that when they sent me for a dating scan!
I then had another scan at 12 weeks, then the usual 20 week one

Is it too late for you to hint that you may be further along than you thought?