Early scan - wait 8 weeks or go private?

CameronD · 17 July 2019 10:10

Hi all,

I’ve just had a positive pregnancy test at 5+3 after a right sided ruptured ectopic in December. I had a salpigectomy and lost the right tube. I have subsequently moved house and, therefore NHS trust. The previous trust were amazing and have a standard 6+2 early scan to catch things early and save my remaining tube. This new Trust however say they won’t scan me before 8 weeks (despite knowing my history). They say it’s because I sound like I am in good health and the risk is that an early scan may show nothing and cause unnecessary anxiety (ironically!!).

Obviously this is hugely concerning as NICE guidelines say 6-7 weeks and by 8 weeks it could all be too late. Last time I had ruptured tube with a still growing foetus at 8weeks and had almost no symptoms (I had no pain, no bleeding, just a niggle that something was wrong and weirdly I was right!),by the time I went in it was nearly too late for me and I’m guessing 8 weeks is often too late for most tubes to survive.

I am not really sure what to do now (aside from sit and worry and drive myself mad obviously!). Whilst I know there’s nothing I can do about this pregnancy being ectopic or not, I feel waiting 8 weeks will significantly increase the risk of a potential surgical salpigectomy rather than methotrexate and thus increase the risk of me losing me my final tube and entering a whole new world of fertility nightmares at 38, all perhaps unnecessarily!

So my question, should I go private? There is a nearby company that do a 6week plus scan for about £60. Or do I trust the NHS professionals, control my fear, think positive and wait 8 weeks?

Here’s hoping the pregnancy is all ok regardless but I know you all understand this feeling of helplessness.

Thanks for reading this thesis!

EPT_Host_22 · 19 July 2019 11:17

Hi CameronD,

Whispered congratulations, and I am so sorry you are going through this worrying time. I can understand your anxiety in receiving this new information. I saw your post on the other thread but thought it best to reply here.

While I don’t know your location and region, my understanding is that you can refer yourself directly to your nearly EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit) for an early scan at 6-7 weeks and by the NICE guidelines. However, I am not clear if this is the department you’ve already contacted. The guidelines state: “Advise the woman that she should inform her GP as soon a possible about any future pregnancy so that an ultrasound scan can be arranged at 6–7 weeks to establish the location and viability of the pregnancy.”

https://cks.nice.org.uk/ectopic-pregnancy#!scenario:1

If they insist on waiting until eight weeks for a scan, I would suggest asking why they are going against NICE guidance. You could also discuss this with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) who deal with matters of complaints.

At a six week scan, not all things can be visualized, but it can provide peace of mind following an ectopic pregnancy. I might encourage you to speak again to the EPU department regarding the timing. If you can access the private scan, it may be an option that helps alleviate some concern.

With good wishes,

Michele

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CameronD · 19 July 2019 11:40

Thanks so much Michele,

It was my local EPU that wouldn’t book me in for a 6week scan, despite my querying this. It seems very odd as at 8 weeks it’s likely be too late to save my tube if it were ectopic. Luckily the EPU from my previous region have been lovely and they are going to scan me at 6+2 as per their protocol and are raising the issue with my current region to hopefully help other women in this situation. Thanks for advice re NICE guidelines. It made a huge difference to know I wasn’t being ridiculous worrying that 8 weeks was too late. Worrying to think some areas are refusing to scan until 8 weeks despite patient history.

Tig85 · 9 February 2024 23:22

Dear CameronD and Michelle

I’m very sorry to read you had issues with your local EPU CameronD. I appreciate that you posted this almost 5 years ago and I hope you’ve had a positive outcome and have a lovely happy family.

Unfortunately I am in the the exact same position. Missed ectopic, only symptoms were mild spotting and EPU refused to investigate. Went private and couldn’t find pregnancy. Nothing passed for 2 weeks, EPU finally agreed to scan me and found ectopic, had emergency salpingectomy at 10 weeks in 2023. Now 4+2 and local EPU refusing to arrange scan until at least 8 weeks.

Please can anyone advise on how to deal with this? If ectopic again I want to know as early as possible to try and save my only remaining tube. Thank you in advance.

EPT_Host_20 · 11 February 2024 11:04

Dear Tig85,

I am so sorry to hear of the difficult time you are going through trying to get a scan.

If you are in the UK, I would advise phoning the hospital you are trying to get the scan through and asking to be put through to the PALS department (pronounced how it’s spelt- pals). This is Patient Advice Liaison Service.

I would advise them you are trying to get an early pregnancy scan because of your history of previous ectopic pregnancy.

Advise them that NICE (it’s pronounced how it’s spelt - nice) recommend people who have had an ectopic pregnancy require a scan at 6 weeks with all subsequent pregnancies to exclude another ectopic pregnancy. You can use the direct quote from Micheles post above.

Say that the hospital EPU refuse to scan until 8 weeks. This is 2 weeks after recommended scan time and could be the difference between needing life saving emergency surgery and you would like to know why their EPU is going against NICE advice and you would like your scan as NICE recommend.

Another option would be speaking to your GP surgery to see if they can refer you.

I hope this helps, and I am really sorry you have to do this.

Although I do not wish to alarm you, please seek urgent medical advice with any bleeding or pain or you feel dizzy and unwell.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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Tig85 · 12 February 2024 18:28

Hi Karen

Thank you so much, I will do this. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to you and everyone from EPT. I’ve spent a lot of time reading the content of this website and the forum threads and it has brought me so mouth comfort during a really difficult year.

Thank you x

EPT_Host_20 · 12 February 2024 20:38

Dear Tig,

You are most welcome and we will continue to be here for you for as long as you need,

I just hope you get somewhere with your scan.