[minimae]

I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me!

I have a referral for an early scan to be done this Friday, I will be approx 7weeks 5 days. I'm having a lot of one sided pain, similar pain to when I had an ovarian cyst.

Now on the referral form, the requested test is for an ultrasound of the Abdomen. When I rang to make the appointment, I didn't have the form in front of me and the receptionist told me to fast for 6 hours before, I queried this and asked about drinking water in the lead up, she said, 'oh, do you mean a pelvic ultrasound' and I said yes without thinking.

It is only now that I am looking at referral and it does indeed say 'abdomen', not pelvic, or even lower abdomen. Further down the form the GP has written, confirm dates, lower abdo pain and confirm pregnancy viability. On the printed info sheet attached to the referral, an ultrasound of the Abdomen is listed as being one to look at Gallbladders/livers.

Has the GP given me a wrong referral? Will the ultrasound place read the notes and do a lower abdominal/ possibly transvaginal ultrasound based on the 'confirming viable pregnancy/ lower abdo pain' stuff? She was a bit distracted when she printed it for me, as she had just received a phone call that her son was having an allergic reaction. My GP only works tuesdays so I can't ring up and speak to her, and I'll have to pay another 60 dollars for an appointment with another GP.

I don't really want to ring the ultrasound place back either because I freaken hate the receptionists there, they make me so stabby!

Argh I'm not sure this makes any sense, sorry!

[minimae]

Just a little bump incase anyones got any advice! My partner thinks i'm overthinking things! Doc gave me a referral, I should stop second guessing everything and just go for it.

This post has been edited by minimae: 16/01/2013, 09:49 PM

[elmo_mum]

maybe call your us place and re confirm with them?

[BJBubbles]

I would call the ultrasound place and confirm that you are in fact booked in for an early pregnancy scan (or a first trimester scan).

Once you have confirmed that, tell them what is written on the referral and check it is sufficient. If it's not, call your GP's office and just tell them that the referral is incorrect and ask for it to be reprinted correctly. You shouldn't have to see the GP again, but if you do, make sure they bulk bill you for the appointment!

FWIW, I've never had to fast for a pregnancy ultrasound! Some places tell you to drink a litre (or whatever value) of water for early scans so they can get a good view of the uterus. It's the comment about fasting that would have me concerned..

Good Luck!

[~Jot~]

The doctor's request sounds fine, I'm not sure you've communicated to the ultrasound place exactly what you need though. I'd ring them back and tell them exactly what's on the form. I've also never needed to fast before an ultrasound, just lots of water especially before the early scans.

[minimae]

Thanks everyone for your input. I know I am just over-thinking everything, I'm super nervous about the scan and my mind is running a thousand miles a minute.

The doctor's request sounds fine, I'm not sure you've communicated to the ultrasound place exactly what you need though. I'd ring them back and tell them exactly what's on the form. I've also never needed to fast before an ultrasound, just lots of water especially before the early scans.

I think you've nailed it Jot, when i rang to make the appointment I just asked for an appointment for a scan of the abdomen, as that was what the referral 'main section' said. When she mentioned fasting for 6 hours, I said that I didn't think that was right, and asked about water. She then said, oh do you mean lower abdomen/pelvis and I said yes.. So she said not to fast and to drink a litre of water first. Just as I made the appointment a friend had walked in (who doesn't know I'm pregnant), so I didn't specifically say it was for early pregnancy.

So whilst I'm sure it's all fine, I will ring in the morning and double check that I'm booked in for the right thing.

Thanks again everyone,

mini