TW: Miscarriage - AIBU to think I should have been seen?

[ChristmasBaby2026]

I might need to change my username as I’m not sure if I will be having a Christmas baby or not!

I’m about 9 weeks pregnant.

Had an early reassurance scan where there was a heartbeat but was measuring 6 days behind which I put down to late ovulation but am now wondering if was more significant.

For the last week or so I have had intermittent tummy cramps and 3 days ago all my pregnancy symptoms disappeared and my boobs have deflated. I don’t feel pregnant anymore.

This morning I had some light bleeding and have had cramps all day. Blood was reddish brown and had some very tiny but obvious clots.

Rang EPU and they told me to just see how it goes but everything I have read online says that any bleeding in pregnancy should be looked at! I’m at a bit of a loss what to do really as I don’t want to go to the urgent treatment centre for something they can’t do anything about anyway but I’m not really sure what else to do - am I supposed to just wait and see if there is a heartbeat at my scan in 3 weeks time?

It's not really a question of reasonableness here, more of what to expect if you've lost the pregnancy. Unfortunately if the pregnancy is lost/being lost at these early weeks there is no intervention to save it. If you're not in pain or unwell then waiting for nature to take its course either way is the right thing yes. Obviously I hope things turn out better than they sound, unfortunately a lot of us know all to well how hard this is. Best wishes to you.

I'm afraid I agree with the previous poster. If you go to A&E, there is unlikely to be anyone there who can do a scan. You are likely to be sent home to watch and wait. Bleeding at this stage may or may not be significant but there is nothing that anyone can do to change the outcome.

Many of us have been here. I hope it turns out well for you

Sorry you are going through this OP, I had a similar experience. Mine was an IVF pregnancy, scanned at 7 weeks by my clinic, everything was fine then i was discharged into NHS care. I had a bit of bleeding around 9 weeks but everyone refused to see me. The midwife, 2 different epu's and my GP. A&E did bloods for me and sent me on my way saying all was fine. I found out at 12 weeks that all hadn't been fine since I was 7 weeks 3 days along. Maternity/miscarriage care I've discovered is shocking in early pregnancy.

I really hope you have a better outcome, not all bleeding is something bad, but I agree with what you are saying. It isn't fair to leave you not knowing. The whole point of EPU is for early pregnancy before 16 weeks is it not?!

Clots and cramps are generally not a good sign. But I did have a very dramatic episode of bleeding at about 13 weeks with my eldest and it was all fine (haematoma). The sad reality is that they cannot do anything if you are losing the pregnancy. But fingers crossed you are not.

Hi OP. I have had bleeding and cramps like this in all of my pregnancies (6) I have four children. It doesn't always mean the worst.

If you are really worried could you consider a private scan for peace of mind? If this is possible money wise. I did this with the last 2 pregnancies. It was around £60 and they could see me straight away.

What a horrible situation to be in! I should count myself lucky that the EPU in my hospital would most times let me come in when bleeding. I had two miscarriages before my youngest and the not knowing what is going on is one of the worst parts. As a previous poster said, if financially possible, go for a private scan just so that you know where you’re holding and if you are miscarrying look into your options. Good luck and sending you hugs

My understanding was that in some, quite limited, circumstances, progesterone can be prescribed if you have bleeding during early pregnancy. Some people are put on it as a precautionary measure from very early on.

I do think they should have seen you, actually. I suspect they haven't because the bleeding isn't heavy, but it seems this varies from EPU to EPU and it's not helpful. I possibly would go for a private scan if you can afford it.

I'm sorry; it is really horrible and I don't want to give false hope; unfortunately it is very hard to do anything about early pregnancy loss.

Thank you for the kind replies - I remember when my niece’s mum had bleeding, she was able to go in for a scan! I did have a private scan at what I thought was about 7w6d. There was a heartbeat but it was measuring almost a week behind. I know these things can be wrong because of late ovulation etc but it just feels like they are all pieces of the same miserable puzzle.

Bleeding stopped about lunch time for a bit but I have spotting again this evening. When I say clots I mean they were about 1mm - don’t know if this means anything!

Hi OP. The EPU should be seeing you. I suspect you've spoken to lazy people who can't be bothered. I had bleeding in pregnancy and was seen - that is the whole point of an EPU. I don't know your geography, but can you get to another EPU? My hospital were being a bit rubbish (agreeing to see me, but silly processes for getting an appointment) so contacted another hospital who said to come down and get seen, they were lovely and scanned me. I live in London tho with a wealth of hospitals not too far away from me. Good luck 💛

Thank you! I actually have my booking appointment tomorrow so I was going to mention it to the midwife and see what she says.

I'm sorry, I know how scary and frustrating it is not to know for sure what's happening in your body.

A similar thing happened to me. The reason they're not scanning you, but have scanned other women you know, is because you've already had a scan.

If someone has bleeding in early pregnancy it can be a sign of an eptopic pregnancy. They don't scan to check on the baby, they scan to check that the mother isn't in danger. Your previous scan shows this isn't a risk for you.

Sending unmusnetty hugs

No, some EPUs will scan multiple times for bleeding.

This is something that is changing, I think.

It used to be believed that 'nothing can be done' and you'd only scan, as you say, to identify an ectopic pregnancy or signs of implantation along a c-section scar (which can cause haemorrhage) - dangers to the mother, rather than dangers to the baby.

My best understanding is that there is now some hope that, in some cases, progesterone can help and might be prescribed, so they may scan.

Certainly, I know people who've had more than one scan in this situation, and when I had bleeding at 9 weeks last year, I was told absolutely I could come in if there was more bleeding. EPUs really vary on this one.