What to expect from EPU?

[LankyDoodle]

Hi ladies

I've been offered a scan at the local EPU tomorrow morning as my Dr wanted to check it out to make sure all ok due to some one sided pain I've been having.

What should I expect? I'm asking because I am so nervous I'm tearful. I'm doubtful a heartbeat will be found (I'm 6 weeks tomorrow). Symptoms are not in full force yet. I had an us at 8 weeks with my daughter and they found her straight away including heartbeat. I just have a really ominous feeling. I haven't had any ms yet either.

Anyone been to epu and can say what to expect?

 

[Mrs B.]

It's possible they might see the heartbeat, but don't be worried if they don't. At 6 weeks, you should see the gestational sac and more than likely the yolk sac. The fetal pole may or may not be visible. When I went (5w2d), I had a short meeting with the nurse/midwife who was running the epu that day where she asked a few quick questions, then sent me down for the scan. Had the scan but could only see the gestational sac and yolk sac, and he said to come back in a week. Went back up to the epu and she literally repeated the same thing and gave me a new appt. second time came back at 7w1d and repeated the process but this time we saw the fetal pole and heartbeat, and the epu dismissed me after that. 6 weeks is when symptoms usually start up for most, so don't be worried that you haven't got ms yet. Hope all goes well with your scan

 

[angelbump]

I had an early scan at about 6 weeks and saw the heartbeat it was a tiny flicking dot and saw the sac around him. I had no morning sickness at all in my pregnancy so dont take that as a sign that things are wrong. I hope all goes well x

 

[baileybubs]

Hi, hope all went/goes well at EPU. As other ladies have said don't worry about MS being a sign of things being well. I didn't have any with my dd and ds but then I have had some this time so it doesn't necessarily mean anything.
Let us know how you get on, sending hugs x

 

[MindUtopia]

I've been to the EPU with two pregnancies now. Usually they meet with you first to take some basic intake information and ask a few questions so they know what it is they need to be looking for. Your doctor will have sent along some info as well likely when making the appointment. Then they'll do a scan, probably starting with an abdominal one and then also an internal. At 6 weeks, it should be easy to see baby assuming your dates are right and they will be able to get a clear shot of location, so should be able to answer any concerns about ectopic. You may not get an obvious heartbeat at that point as it's more of a guarantee to see one at 7 weeks, but depending how far into 6 weeks you are and how good of an image they can get you might. They should then sit with you after and discuss the results and any follow up you need to do, like coming in for another scan or going back to your doctor or midwives. I found it very reassuring, even unfortunately when the outcome wasn't what I'd hoped, and they have always been lovely and supportive and took the time to explain everything and show me what they were looking at. Hope to hear all is good news.

 

[LankyDoodle]

Hi ladies and thanks so much for replies.

After a very anxious wait I saw 2 lovely ladies - a specialist midwife and a sonographer at the EPU. Answered a few questions and they went straight for internal scan. I'm about 6+3 according to measurements but LMP makes me 6 weeks today.

They saw a gestational sac, a yolk sac, and a baby! There was a good clear heartbeat. Over the moon that it was in the right place as well and they could detect no bleeding from the uterine wall, so it was all nothing to worry about.

 

[Mrs B.]

Fab news!! Congrats

 

[xxmyheartxx]

Fab news hun x

 

[MindUtopia]

That's wonderful news!

 

[Bevziibubble]

Great news!

 

[baileybubs]

That's great news Hun

 

[margeandmom]

Yayyyyy!!