Mumsnet : Ask the experts

find the bestsend a reviewthe big issuesask the expertsteach your child totalkweb guidenoticeboardtell a friendshare parenting tipshome

Health

Click here to read previous questions to Dr Wareing and our previous health expert Dr Gilroy. Ask a question here.

I was ecstatic when I discovered that I was pregnant. I've done two pregnancy tests, both positive. After the first there was some bleeding (no cramps , no pain, some brown discharge, pink and bright red , one or two blood cloths, but very small ) but the second test two weeks later was also positive too but I bled again. It did not look like a period. I did another test and it was negative . What happened to me ? What do I do now ? Is there any possibilty that I imagined being pregnant or that I was pregnant but didn't miscarry fully? Would I need d&c ?

Dr Jane Wareing completed her training in General Practice in 1993. She spent a few years working in Community Child Health and Family Planning before returning to General Practice, where she now enjoys working part time. She has three daughters aged six, five and three years old.

A positive pregnancy test shows that you were indeed pregnant, and the fact that it is now negative will show, I am afraid that you have miscarried. It may well be that the amount of bleeding that you experienced was sufficient to have cleared the womb of all the products of the pregnancy. Miscarriage is a terribly sad experience for most women and estimates are that 3-15% of all pregnancies result in miscarrige, this rate rising as a woman becomes older (particularly over the age of 35 years).70 of miscarriages are likely to be caused by a chromosomal problem with the fetus, that is the baby was never meant to have developed normally. This can be of some reassurance to women who blame themselves for what may have happened. There really is nothing you could have done about what has happened. Because the rate of miscarriage is so high and because most miscarriages are not preventable, women are only referred for futher tests if they have suffered 3 recurrent miscarriages (usually proven by a positive pregnancy test). Fortunately only about 1% of women will find themselves in this situation.

It is worthwhile visiting your GP to explain what has happened. If you are experiencing any discomfort or continued bleeding your GP may arrange an ultrasound scan to confirm that the womb is now completely empty. It may be that your GP will check your rubella status, thyroid gland and possibly sugar levels before you embark on another pregnancy.It is important to know the correct blood group and rhesus status for anyone who has suffered a miscarriage (particularly after the first).Whilst trying for your next pregnancy remember to take your folic acid supplements and if you smoke, STOP and cut any alcohol intake right down.

Please be very very positive about your chances of having a perfectly normal future pregnancy.50% of women who have had five miscarriages will go on to have a healthy live birth., and clearly most women will have produced a healthy baby long before this. For further information and support either contact your local branch of the NCT through their national number, which is 020 8992 8637, or contact The Miscarriage Association, c/o Clayton Hospital, Northgate, Wakefield, West Yorks WF1 3JS telephone:01924 200799 or web site www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Information given by Dr Wareing on this web site is not intended to be, nor is to be treated as, a substitute for professional medical advice given by your own doctor or health visitor relative to a specific medical condition or question.