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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

In a bit of a dither over supposedly early scan request

21 replies

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 14:43

Went to see my GP at approx. 5.5wks, nearly two weeks ago. He wanted to get me in the system asap due to my age and history. 6 years ago I had a ruptured ectopic at 9wks and lost my fallopian tube. Extremely traumatic, childbirth with little pain relief was a doddle in comparison . Since then I have had my remaining tube checked and then got pregnant with DS who was born when I was 40 after 2.5 years ttc.

I am not certain about my dates as cycles have been erratic over the last few months. I think I'm now 7.5 weeks but could possibly be a month further on .

Anyway my GP filled out an urgent early scan request while I was sat there giving reasons as need to check dates if I wanted tests done and to make sure this one isn't ectopic.

I have got my scan appt through today and it's for 17 Mar when I calculate I will be a minimum of 12.5 weeks. Not what I'd call an early one

I had to really battle with my GP and the hospital to get an early scan last time with DS. I was so relieved that my GP seemed to be on my side this time (we have moved from Wales to England since DS was born).

I feel I should complain but the one thing stopping me is that my GP's main concern was getting me into the system so that I can have all the necessary tests. He assumed that I would almost certainly be having an 'amnio' well why wouldn't I, at my advanced age of 43 when this one is most likely due?

I explained that I had only had the 20 week anomaly scan last time. GP's view was that I might feel different this time (understandably so as I am now 3 years older and also have DS to consider).

Trouble is, and luckily DH is backing me all the way, I feel exactly the same as last time. I know that if I had any form of invasive testing and went on to miscarry I would be unable to live with myself.

So, I think my GP would want to know what the hospital have done but I'm not sure if I want to push for an early scan now. I'm feeling very confused and teary so needed to get my thoughts down as no-one around to talk to in RL at the moment.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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yomellamoHelly · 09/02/2009 14:48

I would find your local EPU and walk in. They'll do a scan for you.

firstontheway · 09/02/2009 14:55

Sorry for you previous loss

Of course should push for an early scan, no-one can make you have any tests you're not 100% happy with. Go for the scan and refuse all other blood screening tests/ invasive procedures if you wish. Honestly, no-one should pressure you into having them, take your DH along for backing if you think you might get upset. But get this scan, you know yourself how important it is given your history.

If you don't get anywhere with hospital/ GP, is there a walk in EPU where you live? (there's several in London) or does your budget stretch to a private scan?

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 15:17

Thanks for not making me feel stupid for worrying about this. Think I will phone surgery to ask about EPUs. I have a horrible feeling the nearest one is 20 miles away in Bristol. The hospital where my ep mishandled and then eventually treated. I will probably be told I will have to give birth there too but that is a whole other thread

OP posts:

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 17:26

I'm now waiting for the GP to phone me back at the end of his surgery...

OP posts:

mummy2t · 09/02/2009 18:18

i phoned my EPU last tuesday and had scan friday!i wanted to have early scan because of previous eptopic. If people booking you for scan know of your history they should request to see you asap. 12.5 weeks is the danger period for eptopics and i am surprised your doc hasnt realised this! find local one and walk in asap. where are you based???

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 18:37

mummy2t
Sorry you've been through ep too. Just spoke to GP. He said there is little he can do but will try phoning the scan booking office in the morning. He has suggested asking midwife on 17 Feb. I will be 8+ weeks by then. I'm in Weston-super-Mare. I don't think they have an actual epu here. The maternity facilities here mean that everything apart from very low risk pregnancy is dealt with in Bristol, 20 miles away!

OP posts:

EldonAve · 09/02/2009 18:41

epu list my geography is rubbish so not sure if there is one nearer to you than bristol

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 18:57

Thank you EldonAve

My local hospital does have an EPU. It is hidden in the database in the totally wrong region of the country - found it by googling. If I search using my postcode it comes up with Cardiff or Bristol. Very strange!

OP posts:

miffin · 09/02/2009 21:12

I had an ectopic and was given the following advice@
If you have ever get pregnant again, wherever you are, you phone the EPU and ask yourself for an early scan straightaway. No faffing around waiting to see doctors and midwives to refer you.
I have now followed this advice twice in totally different parts of the country and on both occasions been booked in for a scan between 6 and 7 weeks.
So just get on with it! And good luck!

oopsRonanOGarascoconuts · 09/02/2009 21:59

I don't know if Bath is any closer to you than the Bristol Hospital.. They offer a walking EPU daily from 8-9am. They only have time for 10 scans a day so you need to be early. We got there at 7.30 and there were already others waiting. Be prepared to sit for a while but they are fantasitc. You get a scan then see a EPU nurse and or doctor.

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 22:00

Thank you Miffin! That's good to know, although sorry you've had to do this too. I am phoning them first thing.

OP posts:

oopsRonanOGarascoconuts · 09/02/2009 22:00

That should be walk in EPU.

Good luck.

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 09/02/2009 22:04

Thanks oops! Bath is further but will bear that in mind if I get nowhere locally.

OP posts:

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 10/02/2009 11:16

Update: I have my scan arranged for 9.30 tomorrow .

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EldonAve · 10/02/2009 12:48

Excellent, good luck

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 11/02/2009 17:08

Had my scan this morning and it was fine eventually. The normal scan only showed a sac measuring approx. 5wks so I began to really worry as I knew I had to be over 7 wks by now. So they did a vaginal scan and we were very relieved to see a tiny little blob with a heartbeat measuring 7 wks 4 days!

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oopsRonanOGarascoconuts · 11/02/2009 18:21

Congratulations and hope the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly.

BlueCowWondersSomeMore · 11/02/2009 18:27

congrats! And don't forget you don't have to have a single other test if you don't want to.

When I went to the gp pregnant with dc3, the very first thing she said was 'you do realise don't you that there's a 1 in 40 chance of downs at your age' Didn't have any tests other than 12 wk scan to check where placenta was. And all antenatal staff absolutely OK with my decisions, no one tried to persuade me otherwise.

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 11/02/2009 19:59

Thanks both

Bluecow The other good thing was a had a chat with a MW after the scan who understood totally why I didn't want any tests. She even said I could phone her if anyone tries to pressure me into tests, and she'll soon sort them out . I found with DS that the midwives, especially my Community MW, were great but it was the 12 year old doctors who just couldn't understand my "strange" attitude

OP posts:

Original poster

MsBrandybuck · 11/02/2009 20:01

I had a chat. Not trying to sound posh or nuffink.

OP posts:

EldonAve · 12/02/2009 10:32

Glad to hear your scan went well

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