Do I need to involve the doctor? How urgently?

[SwallowsInSpring]

I'm either 6 weeks (going from ov stick) or 7 weeks (going from last period) pg, or was. Started having horrible cramps around 1.30am today, and bleeding, passing clots. The cramps settled after an hour or so.

This morning when I got up, there was a definite piece of tissue on my pad that I must have passed while the cramps were bad, sort of rolled on itself but when I straightened it out, flat and reddish purple and about 6cm wide.

since then the bleeding has been less, but still about as heavy as day 1-2 of a period, with 'stringy bits' (sorry, yuck) when I wipe.

I realise it's probably (I should think definitely) a mc, but with it being a Sunday I can't speak to a professional about it. I sort of feel I want a scan just to be sure, even though I guess there's no doubt-or is there? I'm not 'ill' enough to need nhs direct, but I suppose I just want reassurance that I can just sit at home and ring my normal doctor on Tuesday and see what they say?

And is it likely they'll refer me for a scan or just wait a bit and repeat a pregnancy test? I feel so sad.

[Kasterborous]

Sorry to hear you are going through this swallows it certainly sounds like you have miscarried. I had one very like this, I had really bad cramps followed by heavy bleeding for a few hours, which then settled to more like regular period bleeding. This was on a Saturday and I went to see my GP on the Monday. She said it sounded like I'd had a 'complete' miscarriage and didn't need a scan.

I bled for around six weeks, until one night in the bath this lump of shrivelled grey tissue came out. It had been in there all that time, once that came out the bleeding stopped (it was never heavy). With hindsight I should have gone back to my GP.

I think you should go to see your GP on Tuesday to discuss it, they might send you for a scan or not. But if you continue to bleed after a couple of weeks of get any pain, or smelly discharge you should go back.

It's a horrible thing to go through physically and mentally. Give yourself time to grieve and feel sad

[SwallowsInSpring]

Thank you kaster that is very helpful and thanks for replying. Sorry for what you went through as well. How unpleasant it is for anyone who has to go through it :(

[Kasterborous]

Thanks swallows let us know how you get on. I hope it's all resolved physically for you soon. If you do end up needing a ERPC or D&C it isn't painful to have. I had a D&C with my second miscarriage, the first one was the one like you are going through. Look after yourself and as springtime said if you are at all worried get some advice and help. Once again sorry you are going through this.

[SwallowsInSpring]

Hi again,
I spoke to my GP this morning, and she said that unfortunately it does sound like a complete miscarriage. She said there's not really a requirement to do any more, just wait for the bleeding to settle (it's lessened a lot already). She said although she understands that I'd hope it might not be, it's such an exact description of what she'd expect at this stage of pregnancy that there isn't really any doubt.

So I was sort of happy with that (I think I've accepted that it is what's happened now), but then she phoned me back about 5 minutes later and said she'd been on the phone to the EPAU, and they advised a scan anyway!

I do feel happier knowing I'm going to have a scan, even though I know it won't be pleasant (for me or the person doing it!), but I still have about 1% of me which is still hoping that I am still pregnant and I want a definite answer.

I know it's unlikely, but just in case it had been twins and this was only one (or another unrealistic explanation!).

I am so grateful for your advice and for you sharing your experiences, it made me feel a lot less lonely and gave me a plan I focus on- I was in a state for most of Sunday and kept crying. I'm much calmer now.

Thanks again

[Kasterborous]

Swallows I'm not surprised you were in a state on Sunday. I also completely get what you are saying about that 1% hoping you are still pregnant. The good thing about having a scan is it will give you a definitive answer and you will know for sure and can begin the healing process. It's the not knowing that is hard to deal with. With my third miscarriage I had an early scan and there was something there, they were pretty sure that it was a sac that hadn't developed (was around six weeks), but they couldn't say for definite and a had to wait two weeks for another scan to see if anything had developed (it hadn't). They were the longest two weeks of my life.

I hope you are not waiting too long for your scan, there are no answers on how long you will feel sad for you just need to go with how you are day by day

[SwallowsInSpring]

Thank you for your contined support. I have my scan this morning. I'm grateful to you for sharing your experiences as well, Kaster, I think it's made me a bit more aware that it may not be a simple answer today.

I really don't 'feel' pregnant anymore at all which is making it a bit easier to assume it's all over with. DH tried to tell me yesterday not to get my hopes up and I nearly bit his head off- poor him. I KNOW there isn't any hope but I just want to really know for sure.

[SwallowsInSpring]

Thank you springtime for your continued kindness. It has really helped a lot.

So I was lucky - the scan has given me a definite answer and closure; not only are they sure it's definitely a miscarriage but they're also sure there's nothing left. So no further treatment needed. She did take a blood sample too but I don't think she needed to really, it was more a formality.

I was doing ok until she asked if I was taking any medications, I said no, and she said 'what about folic acid?' And I said, 'well I was until a couple of days ago' and that set me off! She was really nice and although that sounds tactless, she obviously knew it wasn't a great question but wanted to check.

Anyway, it was fine, and although I feel really sad and disappointed, it's all relative- the fact that you have both been through this more than once, and other people have much harder times, later miscarriages, waiting for further scans etc etc. For me I think it's more the lost 'dream'/change in how I hoped and expected the next few months and years to be, and I am already hoping that we can still have that, just later than expected.

I didn't say before, and I hope this isn't upsetting for you, but I do already have a wonderful and precious daughter who is just over two. She has been a ray of sunshine through all this. And if she is the only baby I have I am still incredibly lucky.

This baby took 6 months of trying, which is really not that long in the grand scheme of things, and although I wanted a smaller age gap than the one we will (hopefully!) end up with, that is NOTHING.

Thank you again for your support and I hope I am not being tactless or thoughtless saying I'm upset etc and then saying I have already got a child! I don't mean to be careless of other people's experiences by any means.

[Adventuregame]

Swallow there are lots of women on these threads who have 4 even 5 children but still need support for going through an mc so don't worry about that at all !!

My mc was at the beginning of April so I'm very much over the crying stage but this thread helped me through the bad times.....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/miscarriage/2327423-Headwreck-Hope-Support-for-those-who-are-might-be-experiencing-MMC-MC-early-pregnancy-loss

Take a look if you need support or advice on your feelings.

[Kasterborous]

Swallows I'm glad everything went okay for you today - as well as could be expected anyway. That closure will help you to heal. The fact you already have a daughter in no way detracts from what you have lost.

We were lucky and got our happy ending after six consecutive miscarriage we had our gorgeous three year old daughter just before I turned 40. We were going to try for another baby but then I went through an early menopause when she was one. In a lot of ways I was relieved that I would never have to experience another miscarriage and we are so, so lucky to have her.

I hope it goes well for you next time and I wish you the very best of luck for the future.