No heartbeat, now what?

[user1479588581]

Hi

Thanks for reading this.

Had a private early scan today the sonographer said I'm measuring 6 weeks 1 day and no heartbeat. She's referring me to the early birth unit at our local hospital where they'll scan me again but not looking good.

We only did the deed once when I fell which was 28th December when I got a positive ovulation stick (CD13)

I'm wondering if the dates are actually consistent with when I ovulated rather than last period and it's too early to pick up heartbeat? However I started to spot lightly yesterday so I've resigned myself t the fact that it's not good news.

Anyone that's been in this position can you let me know what I should expect to happen next? I've never experienced this before. had no issues with first pregnancy. Should I make sure I'm always wearing a pad? Will it be like a long heavy period? Will the hospital offer me some kind of procedure, if so what is that?

Sorry for all the questions I feel like I'm watching a movie of myself at the moment. I'm obviously feeling a bit shell shocked and sad but also have felt comfort in reading other women's stories on here and realising it's more common that I thought.

[Quicknamechange7]

I'm so sorry to hear your story. I've had several miscarriages, albeit a long time ago. My eight week miscarriage started with no heartbeat at scan then IIRC I was given option of whether to wait to allow things to progress 'naturally' or go to hospital for what was then called a D&C. I opted for former but ended up with latter - it was like a very heavy period before and after the procedure. I was also scared of what it would actually be like - there wasn't much info around at the time I went through it and sounds like it hasn't improved much. I would ask what your options are, will you be monitored (for another miscarriage I had to go hospital for a few days to have my blood checked for pregnancy hormone level), what scans are available. Oh, I also think a trans vaginal scan was involved somewhere along the line for an early pregnancy so be prepared for that. Again, I am so sorry. Sadly it is all too common.

[Riggles78]

@user1479588581 So sorry you’re going through this
When I found out at my scan, they gave me a leaflet with the options and said I didn’t have to decide on the spot, that they would ring me the next day when I had a chance to think through the options. Options were to let it happen naturally, medical management where they will give you some pessaries that open the cervix and encourage it to progress and two surgical management options, one under local and one under general anaesthetic. Both surgical options dilate the cervix and remove the contents of the uterus. Leaflet gave all the pros and cons for each option. I personally went for the surgery under local as I didn’t want to be hanging around waiting for it to happen.
I would wear pads if I were you, there were times when I was waiting before my surgery where I had a few gushes of blood. They advise you not to use tampons as there is a risk of infection.
Get yourself some paracetamol or cocodamol too, the cramping can be really uncomfortable. Hot water bottle also does wonders!
Hospital followed up the day after procedure for me, then once a week for 3 weeks until I got a negative PG test and my AF returned.
It’s so much more common than people think, the number of people that have come forward and told me that they’ve either experienced it themselves or someone they know has is unreal.

[user1479588581]

Hi thanks both for your replies.

I've started to bleed now, enough to fill pads so I'm guessing I don't have much choice but for it to happen naturally. There's no official information online other than if you bleed too much go to a&e and it's important all the tissues come out! Sorry to sound crass but what's a 6 week fetus in blood levels?! See what I mean! Is it so many pads and hour etc? How will I know if all the tissues come out. There's no practical information.

The place I had the scan said they would contact the hospital who would then contact me but as it's a weekend this isn't likely to happen until Monday or Tuesday next week by which point I might be over it anyway.

If I've not fully passed it I think il opt for procedure I just want it over with ASAP.

[Quicknamechange7]

I went to a & e when I was at your stage of bleeding as any bleeding is ‘too much’ in this situation, IMO. I was seen straight away so clearly they agreed (although this was 20 years ago but v busy central hospital). I didn’t noticeably pass any tissue - probably pad every 2 hours. I wish there was more practical info available as it is outrageous that we’re still second guessing the process. So so sorry - do you have someone with you?

[user1479588581]

Hi

Yes I've got my husband, I've just had a bowel movement and felt something come out and then shortly after lots of blood and as I was wiping a large palm sized chunk of something. I didn't want to look so I just put down the toilet. Weirdly since then the cramps have eased (but that could be the ibuprofen kicking in!).

I'll monitor the pads and phone if I need to.

Thanks so much for all the advice just knowing that someone took the time to reply and has been through the same makes this journey a little less lonely.

[Riggles78]

@user1479588581
It could well be that you’ve passed the sac now and that’s why the cramping has eased off a bit. As for blood loss, it’s difficult to say how’s much of when it will stop, from what I’ve read it’s different for everyone. Even after my surgical procedure to remove everything I had bleeding that was similar to a heavy period and then again about a week later had a second short bout of heavy bleeding that turned out to be a large blood clot that had developed after the procedure. It’s different for everyone.
Could you see if your local hospital has a gynae ward or early pregnancy unit that you could make an appointment with for Monday? Maybe call yourself rather than waiting for the clinic to get in touch for you? They should be able to scan you to give you some reassurance as to what’s happened and if everything has passed now?

[Seekingadviceagain2020]

I am really sorry to hear you are going through this. I have no advice but wanted to reach out to say that please do come back and tell us how you are if you think it will be at all helpful.

[BarbaraSmithJohnson1969]

my child from 3 months a year ago lost his heart beat :(