mmc; light spotting - what next and when?

[Ktay]

This is probably covered in other posts so apologies in advance for asking people to relive their experiences again. I had my mmc confirmed at a follow-up scan on Monday. I should be about 10.5w by now but the scan only showed a sac.

I've opted for an ERPC next week in the hope things might kick off of their own accord in the meantime. I had a few cramps on Friday afternoon and some light spotting over the last few days. I know everyone's different but I'd be very grateful for thoughts on the following:

• how quickly are things likely to progress from spotting to the miscarriage itself? (appreciate this is a 'how long's a piece of string?'-type question)

• I've read mixed things about this so am a bit confused now: does the length of the delay between the pregnancy stopping and the mc occurring affect the intensity (for want of a better word) of the mc? (ie I only have a sac to pass - but has the womb lining been developing over this time too?)

Thanks so much for any insights.

Hi Ktay, like you say there is no set time span for these things so I can only tell you my own experience. I went in for an ERPC on Monday, I should have been about 14 weeks pregnant by then but my 12 week scan showed that I had MC at 5 weeks - so my body was still holding onto it all 9 weeks after the MMC. I began spotting about 5-6 weeks ago (before I knew about the MMC), but it stopped a few days ago so I think the ERPC was the best choice for me. I did give it a week or so after finding out about the MMC to see if it would happen naturally - but I felt there was only so long I could wait and be in limbo for.

As for your second question - I'm not sure - but even if the womb lining has continued to develop it will still be very small in early pregnancy.

I wasn't sure about the ERPC - but have to say I found it to be fine and 2 days on I still have a little tummy ache and some bleeding but generally I feel ok.

I hope it all goes ok and I'm sorry you are having to go through this. Take care

Hi creamcracker, thanks so much for getting back to me. Sorry you are having to experience this too. It is really helpful reading about your timescales as at least it suggests I don't have to remain too housebound while I'm waiting out this limbo period. I hope you make a speedy recovery from the op and that you have some good news asap.