UHW Cardiff - EPAU

[WorriedWelshGirl]

hi - does anyone know if you can book yourself for an early scan at UHW Cardiff? Am 8 weeks and worried as had mmc last September and feel exactly the same again now. I have NO pregnancy symptoms and am terrifed.

thanks ...

hi there, they wont see you without a docs referal. you will need to see your gp, but they will only see you if you have symptoms of mc.

i had to fight for an early scan in my last pg, even though i had mc'd 3 times previously. i bled at 7 weeks and got a scan, lost all symptoms at 9 weeks and they refused to scan again. my gp told them that i was spotting again just to get a scan.

i'm sure you will be fine but speak to your gp just for reassurance.

x

Just to agree with just1moreplease - I'd read a fair bit of stuff on here about 'walk in' EPU's, but this isn't the case at UHW. They will only make an appt for you if a GP or other healthcare practitioner (MW) refers you. This is, btw, not what it says on their website, where it states patients can 'refer themselves without coming through another medical professional.'

They will also only see you if you have current and ongoing symptoms of possible mc (bleeding/pain). As per previous poster, a GP may say you have current spotting to get you seen, but that obviously depends entirely on the GP...

I'm very sorry you had a MMC, and I understand you are very anxious about this pregnancy, and why you really want a scan.

I really don't like saying it, but is there any way you can afford a private scan, to put your mind at rest? So sorry if that isn't an option, I really dislike '2 tier' care. The Spire hospital would do a scan - their early viability scan is £100, according to their website.

As just1moreplease says, I am sure you are/will be fine (I have no preg symptoms either, but we seem to be okay at 17 weeks and counting) - but I understand a previous MMC will be giving you a lot of concern.

babybond in st mellons also do early scans. i think they are about £80-£90. i looked at booking one for last pg but didnt need it. when i went on website they had limited availability but i phoned them and they fitted me in within 2 days.

im sure you wont need it, so many pregnancies are symtomless.

Hi ladies, thank you for replying and for your kind words.

I have been googling "no pregnancy symptoms" like mad and have read a few things about it not being a healthy pregnancy without the symptoms so I have been winding myself up quite a bit.

I could probably afford a scan as I have a "baby saving" account that I could dip into (sounds VERY sad I know but I wanted to feel like I was doing something productive whilst I waited for the right man/time/weather!!) but this is money I would need to use on things and time off work afterwards. I don't really want to use it if not really necessary tho as it is rather limited but I think if the GP won't refer me, it could be money well spent. Thanks for the recommendations - I shall google them later to see what I need to do.

This would be my first baby and at 35 I feel I am running out of time so this, along with the mmc, is adding to the stress !!!

I think a 'baby saving' account is very sensible!

just1moreplease is right, lots and lots of perfectly healthy pregnancies are symptomless - women have posted here before, worrying about it. It worried me, too, and I'm sure it's even more worrying because you've had a MMC.

I think boards like this be be a bit misleading - people only tend to post when they have problems, not when they don't, IYSWIM - but that can make it look a bit as if EVERYONE has MS/fatigue/cramps etc, and that's really not the case. And of course, for the women with symptoms, it's not the case that 'big symptoms = everything's fine'. And then there are the women who've had totally symptom-free pregnancies, and then been hospitalised with hyperemesis in other pregancies, and they've still had healthy babies at the end of them all... It's so hard not to try and read something into it all - but I think it's all a lottery, meself.

I'd try not to worry about 'running out of time' either (I know it's hard - I'm late 30s and pregnant with my 1st) - you got pregnant less than 6 months ago, and you are pregnant again now, which is v positive.

Whatever you do scan-wise, I hope you find some peace of mind!

As everyone else has said you do need a referal for UHW EPAU.

After a mc last time I went for a private scan at 7 weeks at Babybond and it really put my mind at rest. I then had spotting at 8+4 weeks and ended up at EPAU, once you do get on their books as it were they are very good.

In terms of the symptoms I have had them come and go the whole whay through (am now 16 weeks) and to be honest never had any really major symptoms so don't always assume the worst if they come and go.

Thanks again... and thanks for sharing your experiences, and am very sorry for those of you who've had losses. I never thought it would happen to me (foolish eh??!), don't know anyone else in RL its happened to, and when it does its a massive shock.

"I think boards like this be be a bit misleading - people only tend to post when they have problems, not when they don't"

Thats a really good point barkfox - never really thought of it that way. Quite reassuring, and you're absolutely right.

Think I will ring my GP tomorrow and see what she thinks. Will defo try and get a scan somewhere - if I have to live in fear for another 4 weeks I could very well go insane!!