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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

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1st pregnancy ended with M/C at 9 weeks- Still bleeding

17 replies

CAH2012 · 27/06/2012 12:16

Hi,
New here, wish i wasn't writing my first post about something so depressing and sad.
I had a missed m/c last week at my 9 week scan. Had a D&C the same day, and 6 days later i am still bleeding. Just wondered when i should stop bleeding? The Dr said only a few days...It has stopped being light pink and is now quite dark- is this normal? worried that i wont start my next period until i have healed, and obviously very very keen to start trying again...
I also have had unbearable constipation since the operation, i know this is a side effect of the painkillers, but could it be a sign of infection from the op? Being a bit paranoid i know!
Any advice welcome!

OP posts:
CotedePablo · 27/06/2012 12:38

You poor thing, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I don't have anything to say that will help, but couldn't let this go unanswered. I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable than me will be along soon. In the meantime, how about giving your doctor or health visitor a ring for some advice.

mistlethrush · 27/06/2012 12:48

I would give it a few more days and go back. Did anyone say anything about follow ups etc?

I had this after my first mc - kept on having to go back and 3months later, having been fobbed off with 'it will settle down' on at least 2 previous occasions, got examined and sent off for another scan which at least meant I was getting proper care etc.

Morebounceperounce · 27/06/2012 13:05

So sorry Cah, how awful for you to be going through this on your first pregnancy. Do you have a number for the ward you were treated on, as they May be able to help? Was there nothing on your discharge letter? It's so difficult not knowing what happens next or who to ask for advice.

I understand the desperate need to try again and i wish you every success next time round. Here's hoping that you're well and healthy again soon. x

Ellie78 · 27/06/2012 13:19

Hi Cah.
So sorry for your loss. It really is rubbish isn't it?
I think in terms of recovery it can be different for different people. I bled for 2 weeks after an erpc. The doctor told me that as long as it wasn't really heavy or had any offensive smell it was fine. I am now nearly 6 weeks on and no sign of a period yet. But it was 3 weeks until i had a negative pregnancy test. It is frustrating but I have always had longer cycles and think maybe my body is just taking a bit longer to recover. Try not to worry too much and allow yourself some time to heal.
Rest well and good luck with trying again xx

CAH2012 · 27/06/2012 13:56

Thanks for your reply Ellie, do you think i should start taking pregnancy tests to see if im going back to normal? Hope you get your period soon! x

OP posts:
Ellie78 · 27/06/2012 14:11

Hi Cah.
If it helps then you could try doing one. I bought a load of the digital ones that give you the number of weeks. A bit weird (and expensive!) but it made me feel better to know the hormones were decreasing and then it was good to finally get a negative one. I am now waiting for signs of ovulation too but no joy yet!!
It might help you know where you are a bit better but I wouldn't worry too much until you stop bleeding. Is it getting lighter as you go on? Am sure it won't be too long until you are back to normal (physically anyway...) xx

CAH2012 · 27/06/2012 14:29

Thanks Morebounceperounce... I don't really want to call the ward, i feel like a bit of a moaner... They gave me the most useless aftercare information that says nothing helpful! I do feel a bit like im just meant to suck it up and get on with it, but this bleeding is a constant reminder that i am not pregnant anymore. I have a gyno appointment in 3 weeks time to go through the results of the foetus testing... anyone had theirs back? Is it helpful at all?

OP posts:
Morebounceperounce · 27/06/2012 15:03

I do understand Cah, I'm in the same position myself having been discharged after failed medical management of my second m/c in 9 weeks on Saturday with no clear idea of what's supposed to happen. It is rubbish isn't it.

A quick Google showdown that bleeding for a couple of weeks afterwards is normal if that's reassuring at all? I've not had foetus testing so can't comment on that bit of the process.

Mintie190 · 27/06/2012 15:44

Hi Cah2012, I had an ERPC (I think that's the same thing as a D&C) 12 days ago. I bled for 6 days, medium flow for the 1st 2 days and then very lightly. But, the ERPC was for tissue I retained after having a natural MC so I think the bleeding was less than usual. The nurse said that I should bleed for up to 7 days; the Dr gave me 5 mins of his time so I don't have his view. Like you, I just wanted it to be over and done with and have never looked forward with such anticipation to getting my period. I'm just about to do my own post asking when I should expect to get my period. It's a shame that we are given so little information and have to rely on mumsnet. Thank god for mumsnet is all I can say!!

mistlethrush · 27/06/2012 16:05

I would get some cheapy tests and make sure that they're looking less positive and eventually negative - that will be reassuring. But don't test every day - be very strict with yourself and leave it several days between.

WhatDreamsMayCome · 27/06/2012 17:49

Hello Cah2012, I'm very sorry you have been through this experience.

I'm afraid I can't help you with the D&C as m/c'd at home but can really relate to the constipation aspect. I rarely suffer from that but after m/c it was a different story, I found it very difficult and it felt uncomfortable, my organs felt like they had shifted somehow for quite a while afterwards. I suppose the uterus weighs down on the bowel and then has to readjust again.

What I found that helped was taking an Ortisan cube for a few days (a cube of compressed figs and senna) I then reduced it to half a cube and started taking Morning Flake Oat Bran everyday -you don't need much, no more than a couple of tablespoons with some milk and an added banana or some fruit if you like it. This type of bran is nothing like wheatbran and just provides a more comfortable shit smoother motion! Avocado and wholemeal bread also has a lot of fibre.

When you are sitting on the lavatory, putting your bare feet on couple of upturned loo rolls also helps as it raises your knees higher and helps to put posture in a position closer to squatting.

Thyroid hormone may also be making you constipated, my metabolism was very sluggish afterwards, so be kind to yourself and try not to worry about it but see your GP if it doesn't readjust itself as s/he can test your blood to see if all is working well.

CAH2012 · 29/06/2012 12:22

Mintie190- Yes there is no information or after-care, i wouldn't mind so much if i wasn't still bleeding! It has now actually got heavier and i have had to move from panty liners to sanitary towels. Has the Dr told you when you should get your period?

WhatDreamsMayCome - thanks for the advice- i ate loads of prunes 2 days ago and then was in agony and actually vomited from the pain, then i had dihorea! Lovely! And that was 2 days ago and i havent gone again since. So its been 8 days since my ERPC and iv'e not had a 'healthy poo'... should i get worried do you think?

OP posts:
WhatDreamsMayCome · 02/07/2012 00:50

Cah, apologies for not responding sooner, where do the hours in the weekend go?

Sorry to read that you're still not feeling comfortable - digestive problems literally are a 'pain in the arse'! Throwing up and pain doesn't sound right. I would go back to your GP or contact your hospital to tell them what's going on. They might want to do another scan to check that nothing has been left behind and take blood to check that there isn't an infection. Please do call them in the morning.

Eight days seems to be a long time without defecating properly, particularly if you are making an effort to eat fruit and vegetables. You must be feeling ghastly. Have you thrown up again since eating the prunes? Forgot to ask you whether you are doing any gentle exercise, for example, walking around, up the stairs, vacuuming etc, anything that gets your metabolism moving more, even slightly?

I really do sympathise with you regarding this. For a month after I mc'd I would feel quite anxious when I needed to 'go'. It was fear of a piece of placenta/clot falling out of me - it didn't happen again so it was unfounded and gradually the fear disappated. Do you think that you may be worried about going? Some people are more susceptible to small changes in their daily routine than others, for example, if I go away somewhere for the weekend, sometimes it doesn't happen, at all! Don't know if it is a change or environment, diet or what!

This is turning into a long response (!) but a couple more tips I read about were to drink lots of water throughout the day (if you are able to stomach it) and to encourage the movement along the gut - pull your abdomen in for a few seconds and then out again, do this in a fews sets of 10 repetitions. Sounds odd but it did help. Caffeine also helps to trigger it in the mornings, I find!

Hope that you get on better this week, you might find that once you've spoken to medical professionals, you feel more reassured and things start improving. I would be interested to know if it improves for you.

WhatDreamsMayCome · 02/07/2012 00:52

meant to say a few sets not fews, too tired, off to bed!

JaffaSnaffle · 02/07/2012 01:19

cah, sadly I have had 2 mc, and both times the bleeding went on for over a week.

I am not a medical expert by any means, but I would just monitor the bleeding. If it is period like, it is probably normal. Without meaning to be grim, sometimes the blood can pool if you have been in one position for a while, and then it can seem like it has increased again. Sometimes, surges in blood flow can mean you have the oh so sensitively named 'retained products', where thevEPRC has not cleared everything. I would monitor the bleeding, and if it is still heavy, get treatment from someone.

Did you have a booking visit with your midwife? They could help, or so could your GP. It might be worth seeing the GP about the constipation in it's own right.

I am so sorry you are going through this. It is such a difficult thing, especially when it goes on and on. Your body will get back to normal, but it can take time. I was lucky and got pg straight after my last mc, and I am 21 weeks now, but I know some people have quite a wait.

If you are interested, there is a lovely thread for people ttc after a miscarriage, the metallers thread, and there are lots of supportive ladies posting there. It has been a huge help to me.

CAH2012 · 03/07/2012 12:23

WhatDreamsMayCome- thankfully i am now going to the loo properly- all back to normal! I took some Lactalose and it kick started me back into a routine. So i feel a little less distressed now! Still bleeding mind you, but much much darker and hopefully that means its coming to an end?!!!

JaffaSnaffle- I have an appointment for in 2 weeks time to find out the results of the tests done on the foetus... hopefully i would have stopped bleeding by then! How do i find that thread you mentioned? I cant seem to locate it! Thanks xx

OP posts:
JaffaSnaffle · 06/07/2012 11:42

I'm on my iPhone, so nor sure if this link will work-

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1509863-Just-MC-and-ready-to-try-again-Pregnant-after-MC-and-seeking-somewhere-safe-to-hide-Recently-graduated-from-the-mosh-pit-Come-on-down-to-the-mosh-pit-for-some-serious-metalling-and-cake-Part

If not, it is in 'becoming a parent / conception '

Hope you can find us :)

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