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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

Confused about Doc's miscarriage advice

10 replies

queenofthecapitalwasteland · 10/02/2011 08:12

Hi, I had a miscarriage at 11 weeks Tuesday night, I'm pretty sure it was complete but I was under the impression ghat normally I would go for a scan to see what, if anything, was still there. When I saw my doctor yesterday he told me to rest up for the day and try to get back to normal and if I started bleeding again or in more pain to go to A&E for an emergency scan.
Is this right? The bleeding and cramps seemed to fade after a few hours and after passing several large lumps there have been no more clots or similar so would I just be wasting someone's time?

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 10/02/2011 08:18

Sorry for your loss.

I think your doctors position is reasonable tbh. If your bleeding is slowing and you feel you've passed all that there was then it's very likely that everything is clear. A scan would only confirm that and it's something you don't need to put yourself through. However if it's playing on your mind then go back and talk to him again about it.

ClaireDeLoon · 10/02/2011 08:21

I'm very sorry to read about your miscarriage.

I think follow up scans seem rare, they tend to just give the advice your GP has given you.

Have you had an initial scan that confirmed no heartbeat etc so that they can say with certainty you have miscarried? It's just that reading your post I'm not sure that is the case. If you haven't had such a scan then your GP should be sending you for one.

Original poster

queenofthecapitalwasteland · 10/02/2011 08:32

Thanks for the support, it's good to know that it's standard advice.
No I hadn't had a scan at all. I had some light bleeding on Monday night which got worse through Tuesday, in the evening I started seeing clots. I couldn't bring myself to look when I felt larger bits so I can't say for certain what they were. I thought I would do a pg test to see if it came back -ve but I don't know when the best time would be?

OP posts:

ClaireDeLoon · 10/02/2011 08:38

If you have had a complete mc I would expect your hormone levels to fall quite quickly, try a test a week after it happened?

crochetcircle · 11/02/2011 08:52

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I also mc'd at 11 weeks last year. I had a follow-up scan as I ended up in A&E when it happened. It had been incomplete so was told to expect more cramping and bleeding. I also had one three/four weeks later as the bleeding hadn't subsided, but this turned out to be the start of my first period.

I think an EPU would scan you if you wanted it, despite what your GP said, but it's up to you if you want to pursue it. You could call the hospital and speak to a midwife and see what they think.

Look after yourself - you will feel better in time. I found I needed a couple of weeks off to recover physically, and lots of support after that too.

raspberryshake · 11/02/2011 09:09

Firstly, so so sorry to hear of your loss. Things do get easier I promise.

Just to say I had a follow-up scan after my m/c. I've written below what happened to me, so sorry if TMI.

I started bleeding on a Sunday, scanned on Tues to confirm no baby, was booked in to have ERPC on Friday but on Thursday night I passed lots of clots (quite big) and was on the loo for an hour, bleeding. I called the EPU and the nurse said it sounded like I had passed most of it and they would cancel my ERPC. She said I might continue to bleed and pass clots for up to a week, and to ensure it had all gone she booked me in for a follow-up scan the following Weds. The bleeding eased off for about 48 hours. On the Saturday night into Sunday morning, I had another huge bleed. I seriously believe that is when I passed most of it, and was so glad of the scan I had after that to confirm it had indeed all gone. In some ways it helped me move forward from the m/c.

I guess every m/c is different and if you feel you need a scan then insist on one!

Original poster

queenofthecapitalwasteland · 11/02/2011 13:06

Thanks raspberry and crochet that has helped, especially as I started bleeding heavily again today, but with no clots.
I have to admit, from a emotional point of view I'd rather not have a scan but thinking medically I might just insist on one.

OP posts:

IfAtFirstUDontSucceed · 11/02/2011 18:43

Hi,so sorry you are going through this. I also had a m/c at 11 weeks although found after being told to go to A&E and having a scan that there was just an empty sac :( They booked me in for another scan a week later, just to see if anything changed. However, I bled very heavily with severe cramps that night and following day. Knowing that the main event had happened, I phoned the hospital to let them know and ask if the scan was needed, and they advised that I should go in to ensure everything had cleared. Sure enough, they found that there was still tissue left to come out. They then advised to do a pg test in 2 weeks and to let them know the result,luckily it was neg, but I'd imagine,they'd call me in for another scan if it was still positive

raspberryshake · 11/02/2011 19:12

Hope things all work out for you Queen, we're here if you need us! Glad my advice helped a wee bit.

So sorry to all of you ladies who have had to go through this, it's horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Stay strong xx

Wingdingdong · 11/02/2011 20:27

Sorry that you're going through this.

Just to share my experience - this time round I had slight spotting at 6w4, my GP referred me to the EPU for a scan the next morning. Scan was inconclusive. I was booked in for a follow-up scan to confirm either pg or mc 2 weeks later, but told to go back before then if bleeding heavily or in pain. In fact, I bled so heavily I ended up being sent to A&E by my GP, and then back to the EPU a week after the initial scan. At that point the mc was confirmed. They then booked me in for another f/u scan a fortnight later (next week) to make sure everything has gone but said I could go back at any time before then if I felt the need.

I don't know if this is normal, as this is my third mc and the second one I had 2 D&Cs, both unsuccessful with retained products. Also when my DD was born, she was 16 days overdue and delivered by em c/s; the umbilical cord snapped and the placenta fell apart so I had retained products then too. It may be that I've been offered f/u scans because I'm high risk for retained tissue or something!

This time, as last time, I'm testing out anyway using HPTs (eBay cheapies) - my GP took + HPTs a fortnight after mc/D&C very seriously, so based on that I'd definitely ask for a scan if I was still getting + after maybe ten days or so. The risk of leaving it isn't worth taking.

Good luck.

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