Was that my period? (TMI)

[browneyesblue]

I am back ttc after a 2nd MC.

It took over 2 months after my ERPC for my HCG levels to drop, and I finally had what seemed like a normal period, which started (lightly) on 4 May. It lasted for 5 days.

I then did a positive ovulation test on 15th May.

I had a blood test on 28th May, which came back with beta-hcg as less than 4 (which I think is their way of saying negative), and an HPT on the morning of the 30th was also negative.

Later that morning it looked like my period started. This is how it went (I alternated between tampons and pads):

30th May - dark spotting when wiping. Small tampon fairly saturated overnight, but still very dark (almost black) blood.

31st May - slight dark spotting on pad. Small amount of dark blood on tampon.

Today - no blood/spotting. Negative HPT.

I did a Superdrug HPT today, which was negative, so I think I can rule out pregnancy this cycle, but does that sound like a period to you, or can I expect the real AF to still turn up?

I know a MC can mess with your cycles, but I thought that as I've had one normal period I would be back on track. I'm usually pretty regular (between 28 and 31 days, with bleeding around 4 days), and have never had such a short bleed before, or one that has just been dark brown blood.

Any thoughts/similar experiences?

[Quicksie]

Hi there browneyesblue
I think it was your period, I am no expert but after MMC all the professionals seem to suggest that it can be very short, very long, various colours etc! I have just had my first AF since MMC and it lasted two days, and was very similar to the one you described. Doctor said totally normal as hormones are still upset, and that it could take a few months to get in to a 'normal' pattern.
Hope that helps xxx

[browneyesblue]

Thanks Quicksie

It's good to hear that it's not uncommon to have an odd period. I will call this the start of a new cycle then :)

[Jemimapuddleduk]

Hi browneyesblue, I read your post with interest as I have also had really slow dropping HCG after my last mc. I think what you just described was another period.
Just wondering if you would mind sharing when you got first bleed after the mc? I am 7 weeks post Erpc and HCG was 29 on Tuesday. I am fairly sure I ov'd yesterday but don't know if this is even possible!
It's so frustrating to have it dragging on for so long.

[browneyesblue]

Hi Jemima :)

It's really frustrating, isn't it. I think the waiting drove me a bit bonkers. I don't know if how far along you are affects how long it takes your levels to drop, but I had a spontaeous MC at around 6 weeks at the end of October, and did a negative HPT within 2 weeks. I had my first period within 6 weeks.

This time, I had an ERPC on 2 March (I would have been 10+2), 7 days after a MMC was discovered. I'd had 2 scans previously which were fine, so know it must have happened between 8+2 and 9+2. I didn't get my first bleed until 4 May. I don't know if it will help, but this is the timeline:

As my HPT's were still strongly positive, my GP sent me for a scan 3 weeks after the ERPC to make sure that there was no retained tissue. She said that even a few cells can cause a positive result. The scan was clear, but showed small clots.

I had beta HCG tests on 30 March & 1st April, to make sure my numbers were dropping rather than increasing or staying the same. They results were 14 and 11 respectively - dropping, but slowly.

Nearly 2 weeks later I tested again, and it was 7. I had a short, heavy bleed a day or so later, but the GP said it was unlikely to be my period as I was still technically positive.

After another 2 weeks it was 4, which I believe is technically negative (Dr Google said that less than 5 is negative).

I then had a period on 4 May.

On 28 May, just to satisfy my curiosity and because I had a blood test form left over, I tested again. The result came back as "less than 4", which I think is the way they say "not pregnant".

Have you been offered a scan to check for retained tissue? If not, it may be worth asking. Also, make sure you get more than one beta HCG to make sure your levels are decreasing.

I know how awful the waiting is, especially if you are ready to try again. I hope it's over soon for you.

[Jemimapuddleduk]

Thanks browneyesblue, it helps to know others are in a similar position, it's rubbish isn't it! Sorry to hear about your 2 mcs in a row. I was 9 weeks along and it was a mmc. I have had 2 mc's last year too (7 and 11 weeks) and I had negative pg tests after a week and period in 4weeks, so textbook.There was some retained tissue this time (v small amount, too little for another Erpc). Been having blood tests every week and hcg seems to be halving each week! Sooooo slow and frustrating. You are right about it driving you bonkers, have been seriuosly losing the plot over this, imagining i would have hcg circulating for ever! I did think I ov this week but I think it's prob unlikely with hcg of over 20.
Best of luck with your ttc, I hope it happens for you very soon and it's a lucky, sticky one.

[Quicksie]

Yes best of luck to you both, the waiting is awful and it seems really unfair...I kept reading about women getting pregnant straight after a MC, and yet my body wouldn't do me the favour of not bleeding/producing shedloads of hormones! Oh well, once cycles have settled down, I hope we all have some good news to share.

[browneyesblue]

Absolutely! Best of luck to all of us. X