Am I miscarrying?

[Stephanie1988]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice about my situation- I'm currently travelling Asia for about 15 months, nine months in, and last Sunday I did a pregnancy test after experiencing a few symptoms, my partner and I were shocked when the result was positive. The next day, which was when my period was due, I started bleeding heavily out of nowhere, it was so heavy I had to practically race back to my apartment - very unusual for a period of mine (I had read periods might still come in the early days, so thought it might be that) but the bleeding came and went quickly although I also had some small clots. I did a clear blue which read 2-3 weeks and for the following days I experienced very, very light bleeding. Having had a miscarriage late last year, I can see similarities, cramps, clots, but the bleeding was only heavy for those first few moments when it came, so it's left me a little confused. I've since done another clear blue, which gave the same result and I've planned to do another tomorrow as it would have been a whole week since the last. I haven't seen a doctor, I feel as though the pregnancy has ended but I'm really confused about the lack of blood, with my last miscarriage I bled for at least several days quite heavily and the cramps were much more painful, but maybe it's because it's so early on? I'm very confused and I'm in a foreign country and it's all a little scary, I'd appreciate any advice anyone could offer tonight please. Thanks in advance x

[FuzzyOwl]

So sorry to hear what you are going through and the honest answer is that I don't know and doubt anyone will be able to say without scanning you or doing blood tests.

I've had a miscarriage where I didn't bleed at all, despite it being more than two months after the baby stopped developing. On the other hand, I have known friends who have had huge amounts of blood and gone on to have healthy babies. Fibroids etc could cause bleeding, as can other things besides a miscarriage.

I really hope everything is ok for you and sending lots of positive thoughts for tomorrow.

[BummyMummy77]

I'm not an expert but although breakthrough bleeding can be common, heavy bleeding may not be so great.

The hcg hormone can take quite a while to leave the body which can mean you can test positive for up to around 20 days in some cases.

However, it could have just been a threatened miscarriage or fibroids or something else.

Had you had sex or was there any pain with it?

[Stephanie1988]

Thank you for your replies, appreciate it so much! I haven't had sex for a couple of weeks and I had some cramping for a couple of days before I did the test and I've had on off cramping for a few days since doing the test. The pain isn't too bad at all but it seems similar to when I miscarried last year. It's very frustrating not knowing what's going on and having to wait. I'm tempted to do the clear blue tonight to see if the weeks have decreased or increased but I'll be so disappointed if there's no change so I'm thinking it's best to wait until tomorrow because it would have been a whole week.

[FuzzyOwl]

Strange that it sounds, cramping really isn't anything that can indicate either way as a normally progressing pregnancy results in lots of cramping as the uterus expands.

I've used the Clearblue conception indicator pregnancy tests in three different pregnancies and always found them to be accurate but I have heard lots of stories from women who have experienced the opposite and consider them really unreliable. I've also still had positive pregnancy tests five weeks after having surgical management so you really do need to see if you can have blood tests taken 48 hours apart or a scan. Are you anywhere that you can see a doctor or seek medical help?

[UnicornPee]

I had a miscarriage in May and was told to wait 2 full weeks to do a pregnancy test as it takes a while for your hormones to drop.
So maybe wait a while before doing your next one?
Good luck x

[Stephanie1988]

I'm in Malaysia, which is quite good for medical care so I will look into seeing a doctor but I've been putting it off as it's one of the things I found really stressful with the last pregnancy having to go back so frequently and have blood tests but deep down I know it needs to be done. Thank you

[BummyMummy77]

I hope things are ok.