A couple of questions about after mc...

[moominlike]

Currently going through a mmc at 8 weeks, hopefully through the worst of it now, and trying to focus my thoughts on ttc in the near future so that I have something positive to concentrate on!

I wondered if others who have been through mc had a scan afterwards to make sure it was complete? I had 2 days of spotting, 6 days of light bleeding and then a very heavy bleed on Tuesday. Now it's calmed right down so I'm hoping everything has passed. I had a 3rd scan booked for next week because I hadn't had a heavy bleed yet, the EPU lady said I wouldn't need it if it happened in the meantime but could still have it if I wanted. I'll be back at work next week but my instinct is to still have the scan just to check it's done...I was surprised they don't do it as a matter of course though.

Also, how long after mc did you get a negative hcg test? Presumably I won't ovulate again until the hormones are back down to zero?

Hi Moomin. I would definitely have the scan. I had an incomplete miscarriage 2 weeks after it all started and had no symptoms or warning it was coming - ended up in A&E. I was offered no scans or follow up, so take it if its offered! It took nearly 6 weeks until I got a negative test.

I've had a scan 3 out of 4 times and once I needed further (medical) management. It's taken about 3 weeks to get a negative HPT after MC at 8-10 weeks, and got period about 5 weeks after MC. I don't think I ovulate in that cycle.
If you are offered a scan, take it, it draws a line under the physical process.

Hi Moomin ,I agree with St4rfish, it's worth having the scan.

At my first miscarriage at 11 wks I hadn't passed the sac at the first scan though was bleeding heavily,they took bloods for HCG levels and booked me to have repeat bloods the following week and a rescan . I went on to pass the sac a few days after the first scan but was told at the next scan the miscarriage was still incomplete so was booked for another 2 weeks later. Bleeding had tailed off by the third scan but I was surprised to hear ,even though HCG levels had dropped, the miscarriage was still not complete, I was just told it would probably sort itself out with my first AF.I ovulated on d23.
I had one scan at my next miscarriage at 6 weeks,but because they could only fit me in a week after bleeding started it had more or less resolved by then and blood HCG levels were almost back to normal already. I didn't do a check HPT but cycle must have been back to normal immediately as I ovulated and conceived on d14.
With my mmc I discovered at a scan at 10wks baby had died the week before and because I opted to miscarry naturally was just booked for a scan 2 weeks later. By then I had started to bleed.I had two further scans and bloods at 2 weekly intervals before they confirmed it was complete.I had taken a HPT a week before the last scan(so 3 weeks after mc)and it was negative.I again ovulated on d23.
When I miscarried at 5.5 weeks I phoned the EPU to check if I actually needed to go in(midwife recognised my voice on the phone before I said who I was, definitely an indication I've spent far too much time there over the last year or so!). The advice was to stay at home if I could cope and just do a HPT 3 weeks from the start of the miscarriage. I actually did it 2 weeks after and it was negative. I think I ovulated on d17/18,cycle was 32 days compared to my normal 28 days.

Hopefully everything has resolved for you but a scan will give you peace of mind. x

So sorry you are going through this.

I would have the scan so that you know exactly what is going on.

I was told that 4-6 weeks is the norm for a negative pregnancy test. Mine took 7 months to return to normal (below 5) but that is definitely the exception rather than the rule (molar pregnancy)!

Go for the follow up scan! I wasn't offered a second one and it turned out a month later that i had retained products festering inside me (sorry if tmi), and so ended up back in hospital going through it all over again. Better to know for sure so definitely have the scan!

Take the follow up scan. I began bleeding 3 weeks ago now and after a huge bleed that wouldnt stop I was sure I had passed everything. but the follow up scan showed I still have retained products. I now have to have my hcg levels tested evrery two days and a weekly scan to make sure everything is gone.

if you have products you haven't passed you might be at risk if of infection or have rarer complications like an ectopic pregnancy that's gone undetected. I don't mean to scare you just encouraging you to look after yourself and get checked out.

Thanks so much for your replies, I will definitely go for the scan in that case just to be on the safe side. And I see now I was jumping the gun a bit testing after a few days! The bleeding is quite stop/start now so no idea what's going on...I really hope I don't need anything else after Tuesday as I just need this to be over with. The last few weeks have felt like a bad dream.

Thought I was doing really well on Friday, went back to work and managed to hold it together, but then yesterday I just could not stop crying!?? I'm wondering if it may partly be hormonal? Presumably the hormones are dropping and that must have an effect?

moomin I always find initially when miscarrying and dealing with the physical aspect I sort of go into survival mode to get through it , it's always been in the weeks afterwards the real emotional turmoil kicks in. It's a whole grieving process, for what you've lost now and the future you would have had with the child.
As you say ,hormones dropping will have an effect too but it's quite normal to have good days and bad days ,you don't forget but in time it becomes easier to cope. Don't expect too much of yourself too soon,look after yourself. I hope you have lots of support in RL. x

That makes sense actually, I remember the night it was really heavy I didn't cry at all and felt quite upbeat, almost a bit wired!? Maybe in a dramatic situation the adrenaline takes over. I was shocked and relieved it was finally happening as that meant it would be over soon. I couldn't sleep that night and felt very drained for the next couple of days. As you say maybe it's because the physical side is (hopefully) over so the emotional side hits.

Yes have lots of support thankfully, bf and mum have been brilliant. I've only told a couple of other people as I've found reactions can be a bit odd...one hasn't even acknowledged what's happened and seems to be avoiding me, another just started going on about her friend's abortion and how much blood there was (not great when you're waiting to mc). One colleague knows and has been amazingly supportive. I told another yesterday as I was still teary at work and I was so surprised at her reaction. She's been texting me loads since I've been off, being really lovely, but when I told her what happened she was quite dismissive. Just said "oh that's really common...so-and-so had one...you weren't far along at least...the D&C is routine and no big deal...etc". She was probably trying to be reassuring but it did hurt my feelings. It puts me off telling people, even those I consider friends.

Anyway, follow up scan this morning so keeping everything crossed.

Well the scan went as well as it could, they confirmed everything has passed. Was a bit teary but very relieved that side of things is over. Thanks everyone for your support and advice x