Ladies attending RMC in UK - what is the procedure when pregnant?

[hinkybinky]

Hello, I am just after a bit of advice please. I was referred to recurrent miscarriage clinic back in Dec. First appt in March they went through my history and ordered blood tests. The follow up to discuss my results is this Monday, 24th June. In the meantime I have become pregnant, and I am confused about who I need to tell etc.

RMC told me to contact GP asap if I fell pregnant. So I did, but he shrugged shoulders at me and told me just to attend the RMC appointment. Didn't say to make an appt with midwife or anything?? I did have copies of my blood results that he looked through and said there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary.

I then called RMC to check, but they said no I shouldn't attend RMC once pregnant, but the ante-natal clinic. I asked how to get referred to that and they said I need to contact GP (!!!) or the midwife to refer me for an early scan, and that I would then be referred to the ante-natal clinic if necessary.

I say "can I refer myself?" (The EPAU have given me their number to call if I get pregnant as they said they are always happy to scan me in the circumstances). She says absolutely not.

At this point I got a bit upset about the fact I'd JUST seen the GP and he hadn't mentioned a scan or a midwife... so they contacted the EPAU and booked me an early scan (which is tomorrow). They also said I could still come to RMC to get my blood results.

As I have never seen my GP about this (just been referred via EPAU after my latest loss) I feel like nobody knows me or is taking ownership. There are so many different professionals (EPAU staff, RMC staff, GP, midwife) none of whom know me at all.

I keep reading about this 'supportive care' that has been proven to improve outcomes where there is no physical reason found for the miscarriages. But I can't say I've seen any evidence of it!!

Sorry for the rant!! My question is really this: after my scan tomorrow do you think things will be set into motion, or should I still be contacting a midwife as well to set the ball rolling? I just have no idea what the procedure is, and nobody else seems to either.

 

[vixie27]

My gp said to me phone and book in with midwife and I will fax this form across about ur 3 mcs in a row and I will write on it extra scans needed, so I phone midwife to book in and ask about a scan and get told ring me back when you bleed until then there's not a problem. I said 3 losses in 18 months I think there's a problem. I was waiting for my fertility appointment but fell pregnant before it came. Good luck x

 

[hinkybinky]

My gp said to me phone and book in with midwife and I will fax this form across about ur 3 mcs in a row and I will write on it extra scans needed, so I phone midwife to book in and ask about a scan and get told ring me back when you bleed until then there's not a problem. I said 3 losses in 18 months I think there's a problem. I was waiting for my fertility appointment but fell pregnant before it came. Good luck x

It is super-frustrating, isn't it. I am sure there are a few people who get pregnant between appointments, after all, that is what we are trying to do! Seems crazy that there's no set process. The secretary at the RMC said to me that I would be referred to ante-natal after my booking in at 10 weeks... I said the whole reason I'm at RMC is because I have had 4 losses, all before 12 weeks, so it makes no sense. Aaaaarrgh.

I suppose the answer is to go private, if you have an extra few grand lying about

Good luck to you too xxx

 

[SusieRose]

Exact same thing happened to me. At one of my RMC appointments I told them I was pregnant and she told me to contact my GP to make an appt for a scan. If they couldn't do it she would do it?? anyway went to my GP who said that the rmc dr could have arranged a scan. Luckily my DR has been great and got on the phone there and then to EPU and didn't stop trying till I left with an appt. The EPU at UHW were brilliant. Either of them can refer you to EPU.

 

[SusieRose]

put your foot down with your DR, they have a duty of care. The sooner the epu see you the sooner they can start you on hormones or aspirin etc. good luck xxx

 

[SusieRose]

ps I stayed with the EP had scans every two weeks untill 12 weeks when they discharged me and I called the antenatal clinic for normal dating scan. x

 

[hinkybinky]

ps I stayed with the EP had scans every two weeks untill 12 weeks when they discharged me and I called the antenatal clinic for normal dating scan. x

Thank you! Well, I had my scan but the result was inconclusive so am booked in for another scan on Thur. The EPU woman was lovely and explained to me really clearly the whole process - she said to hold fire on contacting a midwife as we don't know if the pregnancy is viable, but if scan shows what it should next week then I should contact midwife, and that EPU would also refer me to ante-natal clinic at hosp for supportive care (same specialist who does the RMC).

I also have my RMC appt tomorrow so at least I will know whether there is anything of concern in my results, and even if not, whether he recommends any particular protocol for early pregnancy.

Seems to be a different process wherever you live, and also GP seemed totally unaware of what I needed to do. So frustrating.

Glad to hear you got what you needed in the end xxx