Practical miscarriage advice needed please

[mumfordanddaughters]

Am 6 weeks pregnant and pretty sure I am miscarrying, have been bleeding since last night. Not heavy yet but constant and have been feeling mildly crampy for 2 days. Is there any reason I need to see a doctor or anybody or can I just treat this as a late, heavy period? Does anybody know how long after a m/c I would expect a negative pregnancy test (I assume checking it is sensible)?
Thanks

unless the bleeding becomes very heavy or you are in severe pain you could treat it as a heavy period. When i had mine, i did get seen by a doctor so that they have it on record (they don't look into fertility problems til you have had 3 mc in a row here). The pregnancy test will depend on how far along and how high your hormone levels are, if you buy the digital clear blue you will see the "weeks" going down til it goes negative. I'd leave checking for a good few days as seeing positive readings when you know you have had an mc can be quite the head fuck. If you can lay on the sofa and take it easy for the next few days. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks gaz

Sorry to hear that you're bleeding.

I suggest you find your local early pregnancy unit. Some you can self refer to, others you'll need to be referred to via gp. they'll offer you advice and some reassurance.

Do I need to see them, gin? Is it sensible to have it confirmed?

(I'd rather just get on with it in peace, given the option)

I don't think you have to see them. But sensible to have it on your medical record, and they can check in a few weeks to make sure it's completed. Also, if the pain or bleeding suddenly gets worse, you'll get much quicker advice and treatment.

I'm currently having a natural miscarriage, and my local EPU have been really helpful. I've chosen to miscarry at home naturally, so very much left to it. But I have a direct line number to call 24/7, they sort everything out with gp, sick leave note etc.

Your choice, but I've found mine to be really supportive, and must importantly, a totally different part of the hospital to the pregnant ladies.

I miscarried twice around the same time that you are now. Both times I went to EPU, partially to make sure it was recorded, but I also wanted to check that I was actually miscarrying (as you do hear of people who have early bleeds but still have viable pregnancies). It also meant I had clear guidelines on if I needed to go back. BTW, they recommend taking pregancy test weekly - if you don't have a negative after two weeks, you would need to go back to see them.

I don't think you have to see them - it is up to you.

Sorry mumford and everyone else who's going through/has had a miscarriage.
When I started bleeding at 6 weeks and phoned my EPU they booked me for a scan the next week. I had miscarried at 11 weeks a few months previously and found the early miscarriage easier to cope with physically, like a heavy period with clots, the cramps were a bit more painful than a normal period. Because I'd had a lot of time off work with the first miscarriage I thought I'd try to just keep going but ended up keeling over at work and proceeded to have faint and dizzy spells for a couple of weeks after so had to be signed off again anyway, don't underestimate the physical toll even an early miscarriage can have on you and of course emotional toll also.
The bleeding lasted about 6 days and had more or less stopped by the time I was scanned and they confirmed the miscarriage was complete. They also took blood to check HCG level, this had dropped right down at this point, though I didn't take another urine pregnancy test.
I suppose going to the EPU didn't change the outcome as I had finished by the time I was seen but it did give me reassurance to know everything was back to normal. I actually conceived that same cycle (I ovulated 14 days after the first day of bleeding )but miscarried that baby at 12 weeks.
I thought too that if three miscarriages were recorded I would then get some investigation but was told because of my age(I was 44 at the time,just turned 45 now) miscarriage was more likely anyway so they wouldn't do any workup.
gin it's great your EPU is away from the maternity unit, ours is in the same part of the hospital so you're surrounded by pregnant ladies having routine scans,not ideal!

Thanks irishmammy. I just feel very tired and a bit crampy at the moment, though I tend to be a bit of a fainter anyway so will keep an eye on it. I don't feel any need to have it recorded (it was very unplanned and accidental, I already have three children - am hoping not to be in this position again ) but I do want to know it is complete and that I am back to normal. I did google EPU at my local hospital but I don't think I can call them direct.

Sorry to hear that you are going through this. Try to stay home and look after yourself. Dvds, a book you've been meaning to read and lots of water and fruit may help.

FWIW the EPU are able to scan you. It can be a relief to get confirmation that it is all over.

irishmammy, how awful to have it in the same area

OP, do whatever you feel is right and listen to your body. Your GP should be able to advise on what is best in your local area. As irishmammy said, even early mc can take a toll on your body. I'm into week two and got a further week sick leave. I wasn't sure I needed it but last night and this morning the cramps and bleeding kicked off again so I'm so glad I wasn't in work.

All the best.

Mamab thank you. It would be a relief but I can't figure out how to access them!

And my mc happened somewhere between weeks 6&7.

Mumford try your gp for the referral.

Really sorry that you're going through this

Im 4 weeks on from a 6 week MC. I still havent tested negative. hCG has stalled at aroud 100. Ive been called back to the EPAU tomorrow to see the doctor. Getting fed up of the whole thing now!

Sorry you're going through this. I've actually just been scanned this morning as I'm about 7 weeks and been bleeding for about a week. They've confirmed there's nothing actually there apart from unusually thick lining of the uterus. They also had me get a blood test to check hormone levels.

I'd say get seen just to be sure. They can then check that everything has passed out

Thank you for all the afternoon replies. I'm going for a scan on Friday x