I think I am having a miscarriage at 11+2

[violetbubbles]

Been awake since 2am when the cramping and bleeding started. So far it's just brown blood and last time I checked there were a couple of stringy looking bits of brown blood in there too. I would be less worried if I didn't have the cramping, which feels like the first day of a period. My boobs are no longer painful and I just feel 'different'. Hard to describe.

Phoned NHS 24 and spoke to a lovely nurse who advised paracetamol and rest. Not been able to get back to sleep though. I want to phone the Early Pregnancy Unit at 8am. Nurse said I could do that but that they aren't allowed to refer me unless I am 20weeks +. Now I am worried that EPU won't want to see me. I had a private scan at 9 weeks which showed a heartbeat and I have a 3 year old, following a worry free pregnancy, so I am in shock I think.

What should I do? What would you do? xxx

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Hi there, sorry to hear you are going through this.
Some EPU's are self referral (so they will make you an appointment if you call yourself) whereas some require a referral from your doctor. I'd be surprised if the EPU doesn't see people until 20 weeks, normally they see people up until this point. Anyway I would call both the EPU and your doctor as soon as they open. If the EPU won't let you self refer then get an emergency appointment with your doctor and ask them to give you a referral. Hope its not what you think x

[Ellisisland]

Hi sorry to read this xx I started miscarrying on Saturday and my bleeding was constant. Is it constant or has it stopped ? Is there any fresh blood or is it all brown? Brown normally means old blood so if it's just brown and you are not bleeding anymore then it could be nothing to worry about ( though you will worry obviously!) have you rung 111? I rang them when the midwives said they couldn't help and I had a doctor ring me back straight away. Put a pad on if you have one so if you go into the EPU they can check any blood there.

Here for handholding in the meantime xx

[zoemaguire]

Sorry to hear this. I'd ring epu - seems rather odd advice you got from nurse because surely the early pregnancy unit wont see women who are 20weeks+! Round here epu is up to 12w only. We can't self refer but gp or midwife can. Good luck and I hope you get seen soon.

[HectorVector]

The EPU accepts people in early pregancy. They typically don't accept after 16-20 weeks but any time before that is fine. Do you have a community midwife? Phone them first. If not phone the EPU and explain. You need to be seen by someone.

[violetbubbles]

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to respond. Ellisisland I am sorry to hear about your current situation, again thanks for responding to my drama.

The nurse told me that only your GP or midwife can refer you to EPU because the local EPU was being inundated with referalls from NHS24. She did mention something about 16 weeks but I am in such a panic I am probably confused. She said she could refer to out of hours who could then refer to EPU but we both agreed it would be better to rest and call EPU myself at 8am to see if they would take me as a self referral.

I am a big teary panicky mess at the moment. And I really appreciate the kindness of strangers this morning.

Cramping still happening. Blood still brown and mucuousy...and a little bit stringy now. Mind going crazy. I fell off a chair yesterday onto my bum, very painful. Worried now that I should gave taken that more seriously.

[violetbubbles]

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to respond. Ellisisland I am sorry to hear about your current situation, again thanks for responding to my drama.

The nurse told me that only your GP or midwife can refer you to EPU because the local EPU was being inundated with referalls from NHS24. She did mention something about 16 weeks but I am in such a panic I am probably confused. She said she could refer to out of hours who could then refer to EPU but we both agreed it would be better to rest and call EPU myself at 8am to see if they would take me as a self referral.

I am a big teary panicky mess at the moment. And I really appreciate the kindness of strangers this morning.

Cramping still happening. Blood still brown and mucuousy...and a little bit stringy now. Mind going crazy. I fell off a chair yesterday onto my bum, very painful. Worried now that I should gave taken that more seriously.

[Ellisisland]

Violet I was given the choice at the early stages of waiting and then just turning up at the EPU or going to casualty if the bleeding got really heavy.
It was obvious in my situation that I was miscarrying so I chose to stay at home and I'll see the GP this week to get a referral for a scan to check infection etc. in your case as you don't know what is going I would ring again either the EPU direct or 111 and get to speak to a doctor.

[lanbro]

I could be wrong but I think bright red blood is more worrying than brown blood. I had a haematoma and lost a lot of blood and huge clots and was sure I had lost the baby. I went to a&e and was referred straight up to gyno who then referred to epu, although still had to wait an agonising few days.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

[violetbubbles]

Thanks ladies. I will phone EPU at 8. I'll let you know how it goes xxx

[AntoinetteCosway]

I hope they can see you first thing OP.

[Ellisisland]

Good luck Violet x

[violetbubbles]

Phoned them. A midwife will call me back to assess me.
Receptionist said there is only one midwife on this morning. In the busiest maternity unit in Glasgow. Poor midwife!

[violetbubbles]

Just a quick update. Nobody from the EPU phoned me back since I talked to a receptionist at 8am. I have my original booking in appointment with the consultant team at the same hospital (on a different floor) so I'll just head in for that and hopefully I'll get some help / advice from them. Feeling really poorly so keen to have them look me over for infection etc. I just feel so embarrassed and ashamed about this whole situation. Like I'm going to massively screw up the midwives plans for the afternoon. I think my hormones may be a little out of control!

[ajandjjmum]

You have absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed of - the staff are there to help you. So sorry you're having to deal with this, and fingers crossed it's not as bad as you think.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Violet if you haven't already left for your appointment I would call them again. They are there to support women through early pregnancy, and most situations they see are unexpected like yours. They are used to people calling out of the blue, please don't worry

[AntoinetteCosway]

You don't have anything to be ashamed of-be kind to yourself. The midwives are there to help.

[violetbubbles]

Thanks ladies. Sad news I'm afraid. Booked in for a surgical procedure on Thursday. All staff were wonderful. Just lovely.

Sounds strange I know, but I am more upset than I thought I would be. I can't actually believe this has happened. There are no words.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

I'm so sorry. Look after yourselves x

[sophspot]

I'm so sorry xx

[Pancakeflipper]

I read your post early this morning but couldn't reply. I am so sorry for you Violet. Take very good care of yourself. I hope you aren't in physical pain.

Free feel to rant away on here. I always impressed on here how people come to help and share experiences or just hold a hand and pass a virtual kleenex.

[AntoinetteCosway]

I'm so, so sorry

[Christelle2207]

So sorry to hear this x

[Ellisisland]

Violet I am so sorry to read this I was in the same position as you on Saturday and am booked into hospital tomorrow. It is such a horrible thing to experience and I am so so sorry you are going through this xx