Pg after mmc - early scan - NHS vs private? & is it best to wait until 8 weeks?

[EldonAve]

I had a mmc last year and I am now pg again

Reading threads etc it seems to be best to wait until 8 weeks for an early scan??

I know I can self refer to my local EPU but it is a turn up and wait service.

Any advantages to going private apart from you get an appt time?

I would wait until 8 weeks. I waited til 7 and a half and fortunately saw a heartbeat but I know earlier than that they usually don't give a definite answer if they can't see a heartbeat and make you come back in a week.

Try and wait if you can.

I'd go with the EPU as long as you don't mind waiting as you're not an emergency.

Good luck!

Thanks Picante

If you are certain in your dates, then you will see a hb on a TV scan from 6-7 weeks.

I had a private scan in pg 3, and the consultant who did it was really lovely, and it was a nice change from grumpy epau

Thanks, EPAU was a 4 hour wait last time (with the mmc) and they helpfully share the waiting area with blood tests, antenatal and it doubles as a corridor so it's pretty grim

bump

Apparently, a heart beat should be visible from 6+ weeks, but they generally advise waiting until you're sure that you're 7 weeks, so as to be as certain as possible as to what's going on. I've been to our local epau a few times and found them great. I guess you need to do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

I've had mmc and sympathise, it is hell waiting when pg again as you just want to know, but I would really wait till 8 weeks. That way, you can pretty much be sure. It would be awful to go along and not get a definitive result. Overwhelming chance is that things are fine this time, just stick it out and wait till the 8 weeks. Also, be prepared to be quite scared going for the 12 weeks, I was surprised how scared I was. then it's so great when everything is fine! best of luck and don't worry!

As MC is your concern you should wait until 8 weeks, unless you know when you ovulated, in which case I would go at 5 weeks post ov (i.e. 7 weeks if you have a 28 day cycle).

I've had early scans both privately and on the NHS (with ectopics). One thing I would say is that when I went private (at a London hospital) the sonographer couldn't find anything (and I was advised to come back in a week) but only 3 days later 2 NHS consultants had a look and spotted an ectopic. So TBH I think the NHS scanning service near me is better than the private equivalent. Also I really really object to paying loads of money to be given bad news and I think that if I might need further treatment I am better off starting on the NHS.

IME there are certain times to avoid EPAUs. Mondays and Fridays are especially bad. Try turning up on a Tuesday 10 mins before it opens and you get a much speedier service! You could always ring them and ask what times are typically quiet.

I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks

I had a MMC a year ago tomorrow ( ) I was regnant again in July and waited till 9w for a private scan as the the mc baby died at 8w. I did have a nhs scan earlier on due to pain but they were not willing to do a reassurance scan at 8w so we chose to pay for it, it cost £70 and was money well spent.

We used Mums in Solihul and the scan was brilliant, it was late enough to see movement and limb buds and of course the most important bit, a heartbeat which we also go the pleasure of listening to

Good luck xx

I got a DVD too which you dont get with the nhs although i have to admit i have never watched it and ds is 6w

sorry to hear about your MMC Worzsel

Thanks, sorry to hear about yours too. They are shit, massivly. It was the worst day of my life.

Eldon, Sorry to hear about your mmc - it is awful.

I had a miscarriage this time last year and was treated through the NHS EPU at our nearest hospital...the level of care was terrible so when I fell pregnant again, we deliberately booked a private scan. I chose to wait until 8 weeks so that any scan would be definitive. I didn't want to have any doubt about whether my dates were right or not, or have to go back in another week.

We went to a BabyBond and it was brilliant - the service was lovely, the sonographer was re-assuring and really took her time showing us the baby, the heartbeat, the measurements etc. There was none of the 'conveyer belt' or just being a 'number in the system' feeling that we had with the first pregnancy. I found the experience really empowering and felt much more in control than I did at the EPU (if that makes sense.) I would highly recommend going privately if you can afford it.

However - to echo what Gemzooks said, I had thought that the early scan at 8 weeks would re-assure me and help me to relax for the remainder of the first trimester. In fact, I was surprised that I felt more concerned after the (successful) 8 week scan, because then I KNEW there was something there. I was petrified for my 12 week scan. Of course, everything was fine (I am 29 weeks now and getting kicked as I type!). Just be prepared for those feelings, regardless of whether you go to the NHS or Private.

Good luck, whatever your decision!

I'll aim for 8 weeks and see if I get that far

x-posts BrightSideOfLife
thanks for sharing your experience

I was definitely not reassured by my early scan this time round, as I lost at 10 weeks it was no guarantee in my eyes. Also terrified at 12 weeks, luckily all good

I found it easiest to stay in denial for the first trimester, not get attached, pretend I wasn't pregnant (hard when puking!) and assume it may well not work. After 12 weeks it got easier and now (19) is fine.....

I agree with Gemzooks 100%. I'm in the catchment area for Kings Hospital in London and they have great facilities, so I never really considered going private for an early scan. I waited until 8 weeks this time around as last time we saw a hb at 6+3 and baby died around 7 weeks or so. Also echo the turning up before the EPU opens midweek and also that you should be prepared to be appeased for only a little bit - it's still murder waiting for your 12 week scan. good thing is though, if you wait until 8 weeks there are "only" 4 more weeks until your 12 week scan.

good luck!

Hi BSOL! How are you?

Thanks both

I'm 9 weeks now but haven't been able to pluck up the courage and go for a scan

Can anyone tell me at what point they can do an trans abdominal scan instead of TV?

I've had transabdominal scans that have seen the heart beat without difficulty as early as 6+6 (I'm not at all skinny either). They usually try TA first & only switch to TV if they can't see what they need to.

Thanks

All the best if you do decide to book an earl(ier) scan.

Hello EldonAve - just seen this. Muted congrats....

I went privately following m/c as my gp wouldn't refer me early. You've definitely done the right thing in waiting as i had my first one at 7 weeks and because the size showed a few days behind it was inconclusive. I then had to wait until 10 weeks as we were on hols, At 10 weeks you're through the highest risk period.

I went to a clinic above the FMC as the fmc wouldn't scan as early as 7 weeks.

Good luck !

Thanks Wheelybug

I keep putting off going and hoping I'll get the nuchal scan date through but nothing yet