why is the UK so lax with pre-natal care?, ....it's it lax? what do you think?

[Mrs_chris_36]

Hi ladies,

This is my 3rd pregnancy ( 1 chemical in Sept, 1 mc in Nov at 7+5) I didn't even realise I was pregnant the 1st time and during my 2nd pregnancy the chemical wasn't acknowledged as a pregnancy. Anyway I seem to fall pregnant really easily but I'm obviously not having much luck with getting the beans to stick. So here I am again 4 weeks pregnant having only found out for sure yesterday and I'm a little nervous. I should also mention I have crohns disease and I seem to be one of the unlucky ones who's pregnancy has a negative impact on my illness as it seems to make it more active. So I get a lot of cramping and it can be difficult to distinguish what type of cramping I have.

Anyway I need to get to the point of this post (stop babbling Andrea!!)

What I want to know is uk ladies what are your experiences of pregnancy/ mc/ scans etc I actually feel quite confident this time round, I feel like I've been through the mill and I'm not gonna take any fobing off...this time I want my hormone levels checked, I want an earlier scan,I want regular appointments....and believe me I will make myself be a total nuisance until I get what I want.

So ladies what are your thoughts on pre-natal care in the UK I'm really interested to hear your stories

Thanks x

 

[MrsD140810]

Hi Andrea,

Sorry to hear about your losses. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I have been quite annoyed with NHS and lack of support in the first trimester. I had a complicated miscarriage back in August (they feared it was ectopic, so I had to have a laparoscopy). It was really traumatic and understandably has made me paranoid this time around.

I found out I was pregnant about a month ago. A few weeks ago I saw the doctor, who was completely useless. I stressed that I was having twinges in one side and feared it was ectopic. (I exaggerated quite a bit in order to get a scan!) Very reluctantly, the doctor booked me a scan, even though after my miscarriage I was told I would be scanned early this time around.

I went for a scan at the early pregnancy unit at the hospital, and everything was in the right place, just too early to see a heartbeat. They rescanned me on Monday and I saw a healthy little heartbeat! I have now been discharged until my 12 week scan. It was definitely worth fighting for and I feel more relaxed now. (However, we shouldn't have to fight for a scan after having losses!)

I also think it's bad that you don't see anyone when finding out you're pregnant. You're not expected to see the doctor, just fill out an online referral for a midwife. And then midwife won't get in contact for weeks. If nothing goes wrong, you don't actually have contact with any professionals for about 8 weeks!

If I were you hun, I'd definitely fight for an early scan to put your mind at ease. Lie if you have to - say you've had bad cramping or have been bleeding slightly. It'll be worth it for your piece of mind.

I agree though - it shouldn't be this difficult to have a scan or meet a doctor.

I hope everything goes well with this pregnancy for you! Be hopeful!

 

[Mrs_chris_36]

Hi Andrea,

Sorry to hear about your losses. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I have been quite annoyed with NHS and lack of support in the first trimester. I had a complicated miscarriage back in August (they feared it was ectopic, so I had to have a laparoscopy). It was really traumatic and understandably has made me paranoid this time around.

I found out I was pregnant about a month ago. A few weeks ago I saw the doctor, who was completely useless. I stressed that I was having twinges in one side and feared it was ectopic. (I exaggerated quite a bit in order to get a scan!) Very reluctantly, the doctor booked me a scan, even though after my miscarriage I was told I would be scanned early this time around.

I went for a scan at the early pregnancy unit at the hospital, and everything was in the right place, just too early to see a heartbeat. They rescanned me on Monday and I saw a healthy little heartbeat! I have now been discharged until my 12 week scan. It was definitely worth fighting for and I feel more relaxed now. (However, we shouldn't have to fight for a scan after having losses!)

I also think it's bad that you don't see anyone when finding out you're pregnant. You're not expected to see the doctor, just fill out an online referral for a midwife. And then midwife won't get in contact for weeks. If nothing goes wrong, you don't actually have contact with any professionals for about 8 weeks!

If I were you hun, I'd definitely fight for an early scan to put your mind at ease. Lie if you have to - say you've had bad cramping or have been bleeding slightly. It'll be worth it for your piece of mind.

I agree though - it shouldn't be this difficult to have a scan or meet a doctor.

I hope everything goes well with this pregnancy for you! Be hopeful!

Hi Mrs D thanks for your response it's really interesting to read, how many weeks were you when you asked for the scan? I think I'll ask for one around 6 weeks. I'm going to book to see the nurse at my gp surgery, I actually have a really good relationship with her so I think it might be helpful to talk things through with her she's taken quite an interest in how I'm getting on x

 

[MrsD140810]

I was just over 5 weeks when I asked for a scan. It was really early days. They scanned me anyway and then rescanned a week and a bit later, so they could see a heartbeat. I think you'll be fine asking for a scan at 6 weeks - just over 6 weeks is when they can detect a heartbeat, and if they can't, they'll just book you in for another one anyway. Good idea speaking to your nurse. Every time I go to the doctors, I always seem to be seen by someone different! There's never anyone I can build up a relationship with and hardly any women doctors!
I'm looking forward to getting an appointment with a midwife - just so I can actually talk to someone!
Be persistent and push for a scan. I hope it all goes well and the scan will provide you with some reassurance.

 

[Mrs_chris_36]

Hi Mrs D just to let you know I saw the nurse on Friday she was lovely but couldn't really answer my questions but she booked me in to see the midwife on weds so I'm grateful I'll be able to talk things through and request an early scan then

 

[amjon]

From what I've seen others from the UK post of their care I would not be happy. If I lived there I don't think my boys would be here because they do not follow even very high risk women very closely.

 

[Tasha]

My experience of being high risk is that you are followed closely. Of course the definition for high risk varies from place to place, country to country.

I think it really varies place to place even in the UK as we are expected to see a doctor here, when we get pregnant. That difference means some places even let you self-refer to the early pregnancy unit for a scan if you've had previous miscarriages, so might be worth looking in your area or push for a scan.

My protocol is long and complicated because of my history, but essentially it is a whole heap of meds from positive and then scans from 6 weeks until birth, every fortnight, these change to growth scans at sixteen weeks (very early). Seen weekly from 20 weeks.

 

[MrsD140810]

Hi Mrs D just to let you know I saw the nurse on Friday she was lovely but couldn't really answer my questions but she booked me in to see the midwife on weds so I'm grateful I'll be able to talk things through and request an early scan then

It is interesting that everyone has such varied experiences.
I'm glad you managed to get an appointment with a midwife Andrea. That will definitely help and provide you with some reassurance. Hope everything goes well!

 

[Mrs_X]

hi
im sarah and currently 7 weeks. ive been having twinges which progressed into a stabbing pain overnight. so i rang the EPU and told me unless i was bleeding they cant help me and to go to me GP for a check.
so i went to my GP and agreed its ligament pain (got it with my rainbow baby and it was in exactly the same area and felt like it). i asked for a reasurrance scan as i got one for my rainbow but was refused. apparently they have stopped giving out scans in the first 11 weeks, even if you have pain.
irony is, im classed as high risk due to my losses and my health conditions. but my gp cant do anything until i have booked in with the midwife which is in a few weeks.
its a joke, because EPU's are there for anything in the first trimester.
for my sake, i have booked a private scan for thursday. i am so fortunate to have my rainbow baby, but im still as scarred and anxious this time round x

 

[Linnypops]

The care you're given in the first tri is totally dependant on the area. They don't normally give blood hcg test but I didn't realise this so went straight to nurse with this pregnancy and asked for one, she was a bit confused and it looked like she might not but after a few minutes of persuasion she ordered 2 to be done. Also, my local EPAU allow you to self-refer. Regarding pains on only one side, I had this and the epau told me, when I called them, that they were duty bound to investigate that complaint.....so I'd be pretty pissed off if I were you mrs x.

 

[Mrs_X]

The care you're given in the first tri is totally dependant on the area. They don't normally give blood hcg test but I didn't realise this so went straight to nurse with this pregnancy and asked for one, she was a bit confused and it looked like she might not but after a few minutes of persuasion she ordered 2 to be done. Also, my local EPAU allow you to self-refer. Regarding pains on only one side, I had this and the epau told me, when I called them, that they were duty bound to investigate that complaint.....so I'd be pretty pissed off if I were you mrs x.

you can self refer here too for the EPU. absolute joke, every time i ring its ''see you GP''.
ive done the clearblue tests and im happy with my HCG. i learnt not to ask for that when i asked a practice nurse 'consultant' for one when i was miscarrying and she said i was making out that i made it up.
im pretty certain its ligament/strecthing pains after speaking to a few people and another GP so we shall see what the scan says x

 

[ladyluck84]

This is my third pregnancy one loss and one ectopic. I have started spotting and from the beginning begged for my hormones to be tested just to be told no at this stage there is nothing we can do!

 

[LucyLake]

I have a unique perspective because we're expecting high risk twins who share a placenta. A lot of things can go wrong because they share it including IUGR and Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. We have FB groups to help young ladies expecting these high risk identicals.

Experience is such that the UK is way way behind. Up until 2007, they flat out let twins who got Twin Twin Transfusion die of it citing cost among other factors.

Very lucky to be in the states where it's normal to have over 50 scans to watch for it---had 11 before wk 12. No waiting for a letter from the NHS crap!!!

 

[babyhopes2010]

my prenatal care has been fab.they dont interfere too much which is great.they wont just induce you for v lil reason and they arent too quick to cut!

 

[LucyLake]

Edited by Wobbles:
Unnecessary, insensitive and thoughtless comment.

 

[ladyluck84]

Oh lucylake I didn't know that. You are lucky to be there!

 

[Mrs_chris_36]

Hi ladies thanks for all your stories I haven't checked this thread for a bit so it's great to read all your responses. I myself didn't even get to my midwife appointment, unfortunately I've suffered another chemical so I'm back to the ttc-ing stage.

 

[Tasha]

Sorry for your loss

 

[mummy2o]

my prenatal care has been fab.they dont interfere too much which is great.they wont just induce you for v lil reason and they arent too quick to cut!

Edited by admin!.

Its pretty common not to get induced until 13/14 days overdue in the UK. DS was induced 4 times and ended up being 16 days late and only 7lbs 12oz. Although the risk is slightly increased to be still born from 39 weeks to 42 weeks it isn't that drastic enough. Plus by then you should be well aware of any changes in baby movements which is what most people should watch. If you choose not to be induced then from 42 weeks you will get scanned every couple of days.

 

[Mrs_X]

so sorry for your loss x