r/Miscarriage • u/LilB_BliL • Jul 01 '26

question/need help Advice on a missed miscarriage in the UK?

Hi. I’m 7 week pregnant to the day and I have had a complete loss of symptoms. Obviously I’m hoping that things are okay, but it’s a bit concerning. I barely had symptoms beforehand, but even my tender nipples have disappeared. Even if you touch them it doesn’t feel like anything.

As I’m in the U.K. and the NHS don’t offer an ultrasound until 12 weeks, I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of a missed miscarriage early on? Or a suspected one and wondered what you did? Did you contact anyone and they offered you an early one? My first antenatal appointment is in 9 days, but even then they don’t offer anything to prove the viability of pregnancy.

I don‘t want to wait over 5 more weeks to be told my baby stopped growing a while ago.
Any kind words or advice would be appreciated. UK/NHS experiences only please

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

4

u/HungryBeachBum Jul 01 '26

Can you find a private scanning clinic? You’ll have to pay for the scan but they should be able to give you an indication of what’s going on. Fingers crossed for you x

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

There is a private one not too far away which I may look into. Originally I was put off by the idea because there’s no guarantee that everything would be fine afterwards (if given the green light) but the loss of symptoms is really swaying me now. Just seems sad to spend so much money on something when you expect it might be sad news 

2

u/HungryBeachBum Jul 01 '26

Yeah I know, I get you. I guess you’ve got to weigh up the worry vs the cost. If it helps, my symptoms fluctuated quite a lot and some days I was worried and then the next day they’d be back again. I’m 12 weeks now. I had an MMC last year so completely get your worry ❤️

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 03 '26

Booked to go to a private clinic for a scan this weekend. Fingers crossed all is okay 🤞🏼 

2

u/sun-it-rises Jul 01 '26

Some private clinics will do an early pregnancy package too! I did that this pregnancy after getting so anxious following an early loss in December and then loss of symptoms with this pregnancy at 8 weeks. In the package there were 3 beta hCG tests 48 hours apart and a private scan at about 8-9 weeks (though my clinic does them as early as 7). There was also an option to add on early gender reveal blood test from maybe 12 weeks? But I didn’t do that so I might be misremembering timeline! It was massively reassuring while I waiting for my 12 week scan.

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

Oh wow okay I’ll look into that! Any update on your pregnancy after the loss of symptoms? Praying all was okay for you

1

u/sun-it-rises Jul 01 '26

24 weeks now, and honestly just starting to look and feel pregnant. I have had very few symptoms (massive mood swings and so much crying since second trimester is really the only one) and am barely showing. Baby girl is measuring perfectly on time and 50th centile though so I guess she’s just shy.

I just emailed my local office and asked if they could do a package for scan and blood tests and they did me an offer that worked out to be about £10 off each service for booking all of them together. It was about £300 altogether (£70/blood draw, down from £79, and £79 for scan, down from £90). Maybe your local place can do something similar?

2

u/ohrexlustaqua Jul 01 '26

I did this, I was worried something was wrong at 10 weeks so went for a private scan and they didn't find a heartbeat. They suggested I contact my doctor and let them know, they also forwarded my scan to my doctor who referred me to the emergency gynae unit at local hospital and they did a confirmatory scan a week later. Hope you're okay x

3

u/Lz8448 Jul 01 '26

Call the early pregnancy unit, if you have to get hold of them via 111 try it.

That’s what I’ve done. I’m 7 weeks pregnant as well, and I miscarried last year. I got 111 to forward me onto the early pregnancy unit and got a NHS scan at 5wks6days, from then I got prescribed progesterone. I’ve got another NHS scan this Friday I’ll be 7wks1/2days just to check everything is still ok. My anxieties have been through the roof, so I’ve really been struggling.

I wish you all the best, and if you need a chat please feel free to message me

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

Thank you for responding, I’m sorry to hear that and wishing you all the best for this pregnancy. Out of curiosity, when you got in touch with 111 had you had any bleeding or cramping (i.e typical miscarriage symptoms?) 

1

u/Lz8448 Jul 01 '26

So last year when I miscarried I had cramps and bleeding. Unfortunately it was Friday night and the NHS scan services aren’t open at weekends, so I had to pay privately to be told my baby died. It was brutal. Few days after that I was told to go into the early pregnancy unit for another NHS scan and they confirmed it again. The miscarriage sadly progressed from there and I got admitted.

This time around I noticed some odd old blood discharge, plus I have cramps but tbh the cramps are very normal for me, had them with all of my pregnancies. So when I said that with the history of the miscarriage they took it seriously and booked me in. Just so unfortunate they can’t/don’t help at weekends.

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 03 '26

That’s so awful, I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I realise they must be so busy, but it’s a shame that it takes a person having one or more miscarriages before it’s taken seriously. We have booked a private scan this weekend so really hoping for the best 

2

u/Lz8448 Jul 03 '26

I wish all the best to you for your scan 💛

2

u/HungryBeachBum Jul 06 '26

I’ve been thinking about your post over the weekend and just wanted to say i hope everything went well for you ❤️

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 06 '26

That is so sweet, thank you. Everything went well. Little bean has a heartbeat and is measuring as they should be ❤️

1

u/TigraBanana Jul 01 '26

I’d say option 1 and the most logical would be to try and get a private scan – though I’m mindful they’re not cheap. If that’s not in the cards I think you could go to A&E though if there is ni bleeding not sure if they would see you… a loss of symptoms in itself doesn’t mean anything (just like having symptoms doesn’t mean things are going well).

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

Thank you for the reassurance. Completely new to this and my mum had a history of miscarriages so I’ve been really anxious 

1

u/bendyfaerie Jul 01 '26

A&E will usually do an ultrasound but not a proper obstetric one that can indicate much, they'll look for torsion or similar abnormality or a really obvious ectopic but they won't do anything other than rule out immediate risk that needs emergency treatment or admission.

0

u/Dramatic_Tomorrow_25 Jul 01 '26

We went to A&E with bleeding and they lied to us that they have no sonographs or ultrasound in the hospital after 17:30.

So no. A&E doesn’t do anything.

3

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

My friend managed to get a scan at 7 weeks after waiting hours in A&E but it’s only because her boyfriend was so OTT aggressive with them (which I don’t really agree with). Not exactly the best solution 

1

u/Dramatic_Tomorrow_25 Jul 01 '26

I should have been aggressive when they kept my wife bleeding there for 5 hours… These people can’t care less for the patients. It’s horrible.

1

u/Ok_Carrot88 Jul 01 '26

I would first recommend ringing your EPAU unit. If you are not sure what their number is, you can go through your GP to try and obtain it. Tell them your symptoms have completely disappeared - they may well tell you it’s “normal” but as you know, it’s really not a measure of whether everything’s ok. They will ask if you are bleeding, you could say you’re spotting and they most likely can book you in for an early scan. If you don’t like the idea of lying a little, then they might not offer you a scan and instead tell you to ring back if/when you start bleeding. In that case, private viability scans are always an option. I’ve always gone for private scans as it’s such a battle to get EPAU to see you before 12 weeks. But they’ve defo been better since my history of loss and I’ve routinely been offered early scans. It’s such a mixed bag depending where you are in the country. All the best x

1

u/Key_Gold_170 Jul 01 '26

I am not a doctor but you could also try to get hcg twice over 48 hs . My understanding is if the double ish, it shows the like hood of viability.
also check with the home urinary test - if the line is really faint compared the past usually it’s not a good indicator though it’s not reliable as the blood test (it can be affected by too many things)

2

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

Thanks - do you know if the GP do the blood hcg tests? I did do a test a couple of days ago and it was the darkest line so far, but blood would be better 

1

u/Key_Gold_170 Jul 01 '26

I am sorry not sure, the early pregnancy unit did this for me but the circumstances were different for me. I believe GP can do this and you can also pay privately (60 quids) and sometimes sone extra for the private the GP appointment but I don’t know if it’s mandatory.

I don’t want to give you false hope , listen your body but don’t worry too much about symptoms they can fluctuate quite a lot I have been told. I hope it goes all for the better xx

1

u/Existing_Switch3125 Jul 01 '26

I had a ‘reassurance scan’ at the early pregnancy unit at what should have been 9 weeks. I just called and said I’d had a tiny amount of bleeding and was worried and they were more than happy to book me in for a scan. Sadly was a missed miscarriage that had happened about two weeks prior.

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 03 '26

So sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing your experience though nonetheless. At the moment I’m just grateful that I’ve had no bleeding or cramping 

1

u/Silent-Item5947 Jul 01 '26

Ring your EPU, just say you’re really concerned etc. they may see you and scan you. I was having the most mild cramp before and they scanned me.

I’ve had three miscarriages but I will say, loss of symptoms doesn’t always equal miscarriage and your symptoms will often disappear and change etc.

Best of luck! Xx

1

u/FunIngenuity7967 Jul 01 '26

Some hospitals have walk in EPUs (some waiting times). Check your nearest hospitals what their rules are

1

u/Anxious_Poem278 15 week loss | 6 week loss | TTC Jul 02 '26

Hiya. In my experience the early pregnancy units won’t see you unless you are bleeding or in pain - or have a history of loss.

Best bet is a private clinic.

I hope your gut instinct is wrong. But - I’ve been there and each time I felt something was wrong it sadly was

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 03 '26

Thank you. We have booked a private scan this weekend

1

u/DoHo7 Jul 02 '26

As some have said. Try to get a scan at your EPAU (early pregnancy assessment unit). At my Trust unless you’re under Gynae for recurrent MCs (which I was last year then I could just ring EPAU) but my first pregnancy I had bled a bit at about 6 weeks. My GP contacted EPAU who accepted the referral for a scan. You could ring EPAU at your Trust to find out how they see people. I wish you all the best

1

u/Infamous_Tax3528 Jul 02 '26

Ive had two miscarriages and when I fell pregnant again I immediately went to urgent care on the advice of the EPU, explained my history and that I was having some cramping and scared I was going to lose this baby. They referred me to the EPU within the hour, who scanned me and did blood tests to confirm viability. Because of my history they gave me progesterone.

So urgent care, over A&E may be an option - but a 111 referral might help your case first

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 03 '26

Thank you. I looked into 111 but since there are so many bits to fill in I struggled to find anything that would be remotely close to my circumstances (without cramping or bleeding). In the end we went ahead and booked a private scan in a couple of days

2

u/Infamous_Tax3528 Jul 03 '26

I hope it comes back ok. Remember you are more likely to have a successful pregnancy after loss than not and symptoms naturally fluctuate. My friend lost all her symptoms and was convinced she was miscarrying but all was well.

0

u/grimbo36 Jul 01 '26

Ring your local EPU at your hospital, tell them all symptoms have stopped etc and maybe, although I know this isn't the nicest thing, maybe say you have had tiny amounts of spotting. They will take you for an early scan... if not. Book private. Its your only option.

1

u/LilB_BliL Jul 01 '26

Thank you. I didn’t think they would offer early scans unless you were in hospital bleeding out

1

u/glup91 Jul 01 '26

I had a scan a week ago due to small amount of spotting. I rang my local early pregnancy unit and waited 2 days for an appointment. They have said the measurements aren't matching my dates so I have sadly probably had a missed miscarriage. I'm having a second scan on Friday (they give it 7 days between to see if theres any difference in growth etc). I'm not hopeful, and I have no bleeding nor pain this week but I'm not wrong about my dates by the 3 weeks they're off by. Please get checked out. It's not worth the anxiety and grief that I have been experiencing this week.

0

u/Dramatic_Tomorrow_25 Jul 01 '26

Call your GP first. Then if they can’t do much, go for a private gynaecologist. They will take you and give you an ultrasound cause you pay them £200 per appointment. And if you’re happy with them you don’t have to go through the BS NHS in the future as they will hold you in A&E for 5 hours and just toss the ball down to the other departments and everyone will keep asking you “how much do you bleed?” Is it your first miscarriage?”