Hi Mums. So im pregnant with my second baby, 10 weeks along and the thought of miscarriage really freaks me out. I've never experienced this but just the thought. The other day in another group a mum said she had her 12 week scan and there was no heartbeat and the baby hadn't grown since 8 weeks, also she had no symptoms which makes me more anxious. I'm having the 12 week scan done because I'm opting not to have the down syndrome test so my next scan will be at around 17 or 20 weeks. So what happens if baby passes away without any symptoms and my body still goes on acting like it's pregnant as sometimes it does? I will talk to my GP next week at an appointment I have, I wonder if the GP has a fetal Doppler on them so they can just check then and their or weather I need to go for another scan for peace of mind. My midwife clinic appointments arnt until late august
5 Replies
Hi IM, these fears are real.
You can still have a 12 week scan and just request to check bubs' growth and heartbeat and ask for no nuchal scan. Your GP will give you a referral just to a radiology centre and you'll be out of pocket :)
DO NOT ask your GP to check with a fetal doppler - it is VERYVERYVERY hard to find a heartbeat on them before about 16 weeks and will cause you so much stress and worry!!!
I had my 12 week scan to see a very healthy heart beat and a little baby that wouldn't stay still. The sonographer thought I was a bit too early so wanted me to come back the following week. That next scan showed a still baby with no heart beat. I had no clue, symptoms had ceased but I thought it was because I hit that magic 12 week mark.
So while it does happen, I don't think it's healthy to be so stressed out about it. I assume you have no reason to be worried about this other than there is a possibility. My chances of this happening were high because I had 4 previous miscarriages and I am getting older and had a few other things happening that increased my chances of miscarrying. If you are so far having a healthy pregnancy with no complications then your worry is probably to do with anxiety making you a bit paranoid. Mention it to your Dr and they might suggest to come in a bit more regularly for a check up to ease your mind. Scans are not the only way to make sure everything is going well.
Don't get the GP to use a fetal doppler, its too early. Just get the 12 week scan to ease your mind. I don't really understand why you wouldn't get the 12 week scan?
Do you mean you're NOT having the 12 week scan? They look at more than just Down Syndrome, it's a very important scan. Just tell them not to tell you about Downs but I think you should go and have it anyway.
I think it’s a good idea to speak to your GP about this anxiety - while it’s normal to have some background anxiety about this type of thing, it’s sounds like this is a lot more then that.
You may be experiencing Pre-Natal Anxiety, which is very common, and need a little bit of help to get through it. Hormones are crazy things.
Get some help so you can enjoy your pregnancy and not spend the whole time worried about the “What Ifs”