Confused after scan, mc or not?

[edwardcullensotherwoman]

Apologies in advance for so many posts this week; I think I just need a sounding board more than anything! (I realise that is extremely selfish but hope you all understand

I had a bleed/brownish discharge starting monday night (small amount), Tues it looked a bit like the last day or so of a period with small clots (around 3-4cm) then nothing today other than a few small bits which look "leftover", IYKWIM, from yesterday. No pains other than usual pg niggles.

Had a scan today, nurse said there's no evidence of pg/ectopic pg. BUT , she didn't appear to be scanning very low; not as low as I remember my 12 week scan with DS (I'm only 7 weeks by my dates, but periods were irregular before so I may be wrong). I also had a blood test which will be redone on friday to compare hormones.

I still have pg symptoms - I feel queasy, have a "full" feeling down low, really tired, peeing loads - so I just don't know what to think! I don;t know if I'm looking for answers here tbh, just needed to get all my thoughts out

Thanks if you've read this far!

Hi

Did she do an internal scan? From what I remember of early scans in my first pg they can't see anything on an external scan until 8 weeks.

I hope that you get answers soon x

What meliesmummy said. Did she do a vaginal scan? If you're only 7 weeks (or less as irregular) then it's highly unlikely anything at all would show up on a scan done externally on your tummy.

The bloods will give you more info as your pregnancy hormone should approximately double between Wednesday and Friday.

Thanks meliesmummy for your reply.

It wasn't an internal scan, just normal ultrasound. I'm still feelign the same today and had no bleeding/discharge at all.

So confused! I'm really hoping it's good news, but assuming it's not

do a test ?

I did wonder about doing a test tbh, but DH said it may not be a good idea, as if I'm having symptoms it may be +ve even if I'm having a mc so would get my hopes up. So for now I'm just waiting.

I find it really odd that when the radiographer couldn't see anything externally she didn't offer you a vaginal scan, if your blood results aren't clear I would ask for one.

Good luck x

there is very little point in retesting. however you need to call epu/your gp and insist on a vaginal scan. that they didnt do one after being unable to see something is negligient at best and hugely dangerous at worst. Im frankly disgusted that they have been so inept in their attempts to rule out an ep.

everything crossed for you

At 7 weeks, if they can't see anything in the uterus through an abdominal scan, they should do an internal. This is what has happened to me every single time, as I have a tilted uterus. Also, they should be scanning just above the pubic bone and pressing hard if they are trying to have a good look.

I always think of peeing alot as a sure sign that the pregnancy is still viable - with all my miscarriages my trips to the toilet diminished within a day, as well as other symptoms such as tiredness.

I have heard of women bleeding brown "old" blood in early pregnancy and still having a healthy baby at the end. I would wait for the hcg results and then ask for another scan. In the mean time, if you start bleeding more or getting pain at the tip of your shoulder or severe abdominal pain then you need to get to A&E ASAP, as it could be an ectopic.

Thanks all.

When she did the ultrasound she did say she was checking elsewhere to make sure there is no ep, and said she couldn't see one. Never mentioned a vaginal scan, just said they'd wait to see what the bloods show then rescan if necessary.

milkyway2007 I know what you mean about the pressing hard - she did this a couple of times but I don't think it was low enough, and DH said the same (based on our experience with DS).
DH also remembered after we came home, that when I was first scanned with DS, the radiographer apologised for hurting me, but said that my pelvis is at an odd angle so it was difficult to scan me. If they do another scan I'll mention this, but will also ask about a vaginal scan if no mention of one.

Thanks for the ep warnings too, I keep getting paranoid so need as much info as possible! Thankfully I've had no pains at all really so I hope that's a good sign.

Well I just had my levels results - they've gone from 373 to 564 since weds. The low level is likely to be the reason they didn't see anything, so I have to ring EPU on Monday to discuss what happens next.
The nurse who's usually in charge at EPU will be back then (the nurse I saw was in covering from the ward). I have the ward number for emergencies over the weekend, so will keep that handy and hope for the best.

please, please, please insist on a vaginal scan. and mention that your uterus/pelvis is at a funny angle. try lifting your bum off the bed.

in the meantime, if you start feeling sick and/or dizzy, get very bad backache and/or one-sided pain call your epu asap. if they are closed go to A&E. if you start getting shouldertip pain that gets worse when you lie back ring 999.

it is good news that your levels have multiplied though. when i was pg with ds i bled a LOT. from 5w-21w, a lot of new blood too. but with my ep i had bleeding and the epu fannied about with scans/bloods so things got a bit messy. trust your instincts. if you think something is wrong call epu.

Just a quick update (and some more questions, sorry!)

I spoke to EPAU this morning, they've said they want to see me again tomorrow, no mention of further blood tests but I've now been told it's more than likely I'll need to have an internal scan.

I'm a bit worried though - is there any risk involved? Could it cause a miscarriage if there's already some risk to the pg (i.e. from whatever caused the bleeding)? I'm wondering if I should just go in with a full bladder and ask for another external one first, mentioning the issue with my pelvis (the nurse I'm seeing tomorrow is the one who usually runs the EPAU, she was off last week).

Also, what is an internal scan like? No explanation on the phone, just that I'll probably need one. I understand the basics of it (mostly self-explanatory I know) but what is the procedure, and how big is the probe?

No, the scan is not going to cause a miscarriage.

They really ought to be doing an internal scan. They can see things a lot more clearly with one (they spot pregnancies a week earlier with the internal probe, for example) and importantly will get a better look at your ovaries/tubes etc. It can be hard to spot an ectopic on a scan, so they should not be ruling it out without an internal scan and a series of blood tests. You're right that your HCG levels are low and this may mean there isn't much to see, but my doctor spotted DD2 at 4+4 with an internal scan so it is worth trying. In fact, at the two hospitals I have had internals at they won't bother with a regular scan before about 10 weeks.

My experience of internal scans is this:

They ask you to lie down, like a normal scan but knickers off, obviously. I think they had me in stirrups, which does feel a bit undignified, but they put a towel over me so I didn't feel too exposed. The probe itself is quite long, but they only put a couple of inches inside you. Before they put it in they put a cover on it, like a condom, and a lot of lube. They do need to move around and angle it, and so it can feel a tad uncomfortable sometimes (one of my ovaries hides behind my gut so is hard to see) but mostly it is not bad at all. The more you relax the easier it is. Although it isn't the nicest thing in the world, the various doctors and sonographers who have scanned me have all tried hard to put me at ease.

HTH, and that it goes smoothly.

I've had internal scans a few times and if anything find them easier than external ultrasound - which the full bladder made very uncomfortable for me! The probe is pretty thin, you'll be covered up with a towel or sheet, and they are looking at the screen rather than at you directly, so it's a much much less invasive feeling than say a smear test. Good luck, hope it's good news for you.

Hi. An internal scan is really nothing to worry about. I promise you it doesn't hurt. The probe is long and thin, but please don't worry about the size as they won't hurt you, it looks a bit scary, but they will only insert it as far as they need to to see your uterus better, every woman is different and they are well aware of this. It will give you the answers you need. I really hope it all works out well for you. good luck and big hugs. xx

I was scared when they said internal scan but it was fine - this from someone who finds smear tests almost unbearable. It's like a long thin dildo and they put a condom on it (tell them if you're allergic to latex.) Honestly, if it was my bf doing it rather than the sonographer I might have enjoyed it!

Had to empty bladder first. Feet were in stirrups but bottom half of body & legs were totally covered by a sheet. She only had to look just briefly to slip it in, then pulled the sheet down again so modesty was preserved. After that it's done by touch & watching the screen.

I don't know if there's any risk involved - I doubt it, but ask them if you need to be reassured. I just felt it was bound to be less risky than not knowing what was going on.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better about it knowing what's going to happen.

DH will be coming with me so I think that'll make me feel a bit more comfortable too tbh.

angela how are you feeling now? So sorry to hear your sad news. big hugs back for you too x

Really hope it goes okay, Edwardcullensotherwoman. Let us know how you get on.

Good luck for tomorrow, I hope you get good news x

Thanks. I'm doing ok... i think. A bit up and down but i'm getting there. I have an amazing fiance looking after me, and my beautiful daughter is keeping me busy, and taking my mind off it.

I really hope it all goes well for you. It'd be nice to hear someone get some good news! Let us all know how you get on, and just remember that there are so many of us here for you. xx

Thanks for the good wishes everyone Glad you're doing ok angela , and you're being looked after! Same here thankfully, DH is brilliant.

Just got my blood result back - it's just over double from friday (over 1400 now) but they couldn't see anything on the internal scan. So, still none the wiser! Can't see anything in the tubes/ovaries, except a cyst on my right ovary which apparently shows where I ovulated and is normal.

So I have to go back friday for another scan, if they don't see anything I'll be given medication to re-absorb the pregnancy.

I just hate being so confused and not knowing!

Oh you poor thing {{{hugs}}} not knowing is the worst. It's great that your hormone levels are going up more steeply now but odd that they can't see anything on the scan if you are getting on for 8 weeks. Is it possible you could be only 5 weeks or so (as you're irregular)?

Take things easy and try not to worry (easier said than done, I know) until Friday.

Thanks Mitzi. It is possible that I'm only 4-5 weeks tbh, and I did tell them my periods were irregular before I was pg, so hopefully they're taking that into account and looking for anything at all, not just what they expect to be there based on what I've said. I honestly think there's a pg there somewhere (and in the right place - my pain threshold is practically non-existent so I'm sure I'd had had some pain by now), I defo still feel like I am, and obviously the hormone levels show it too.

I will do thank you. Hopefully it won't be too bad, the past week has flown since all this started!

I'm sorry it hadn't been clear cut, OP. I know that this period can be a total rollercoaster and very tough, especially with all those hormones floating about.
Once your levels are over about 1500 they should be able to see the pregnancy if it is in the uterus, so a scan on Friday is a good idea. Promise me though that if you do get any pain AT ALL in the meantime, or any bleeding, you'll get yourself to A&E?

I hope it all works out and on Friday you get a better result.

Well if it's possible that you might be only 4-5 weeks then I have my fingers crossed that means everything's perfectly fine for you. Please do let us know on Friday.

As RancerDoo says, get immediate medical treatment if you get bad pain or heavy bleeding but otherwise just relax as much as you can.