Blighted ovum and waiting for miscarriage

[Taranta]

I just found out today at emergency scan at 8 weeks that it was a blighted ovum. Had started to bleed on Fri but its v low level at moment so not sure if this will build up to full miscarriage, the uncertainty makes the practicalities of carrying on daily life a bit tricky, should I carry on commuting to work (by car) with lots of pads painkillers and pants etc, or wait for a day or two and see? To be honest I don't want to tell work as its not a friendly environment and I think I will find it easier to manage this without having to deal with other peoples reactions at work (have supportive friends in RL to turn to), so I am thinking I will have to tell work its a gastro bug or something.
Once I've started bleeding am I now likely to miscarry naturally or might it just stop? The doctor who scanned me has booked a second scan next week, he said there's some ambiguous gaps in the placenta that need keeping an eye on (he mentioned molar pregnancy at this point) and has told me to keep a sample of tissue for testing if I do miscarry between now and next week.
What a grim couple of days . Will try and be positive though, I know this is not uncommon. DH being lovely, as is DS.

I am so sorry for the loss of your baby Taranta.

Has your GP signed you off? I needed two full weeks off, both physically and emotionally. Definitely tell them it's a stomach bug if that's easier. I made the decision to tell my boss the truth even though he didn't know I had been pregnant. Everyone was supportive. But to be honest I now feel awkward about them knowing so much about my most traumatic experience.

I had a natural mc and the worst was over in two days. But there's lots of stories on here that say it can go on much longer.

I am so glad that your have a supportive family in real life. Look after yourself xx

PS the Miscarriage Assoc are fantastic if you want to talk things through with someone x

Thank you Hessy, I guess I really find it hard not knowing when and how long this might take. But anyway. I haven't been to GP, no, only went for scan this morning, I hadn't planned on seeing GP, was just going to carry on with work and just take time off with 'tummy bug' when it happens.
This might sound a bit clinical, it's not it's just I find it easier to get on with stuff than actively wait, I've stocked up on jumbo pads and painkillers. I will call the miscarriage association too - will wait til I'm not quite so tearful however.

Not clinical at all. I felt the same.

I'm umming and ahing about writing this as every mc is different. But much like the birth of my ds, my mc started very suddenly and was very intense. The pain was as bad as childbirth, as opposed to a bad period. However, it was over in one short burst and thankfully not dragged out over weeks.

I don't mean to worry you, and I totally understand wanting to keep busy. But wanted to mention it in case being at work meant a long drive from home.

I realise I only saw my GP to get signed off for two weeks to deal with the emotional fallout, rather than the physical side.

I'm really wishing you well

Thanks for your advice and kind words (and flowers). I have been playing over the scenario of getting myself home if the pain is sudden and intense as you describe (as was when I was induced with DS). Think I will have to just play it by ear for now, see what tomorrow brings.

Taranta I'm sorry you are facing this. Were the other options for dealing with the miscarriage (medical or surgical treatment) offered to you? I'm surprised that, if there is a question mark over the normality of the placenta such that they are keen to test it, they are not advising an ERPC so they know they have the material. There is more info on your options here
If you are finding the uncertainty of expectant management difficult, as many women do, I'd phone back and ask to discuss other options.

Thanks for your message bakingtins, and for the excellent thread on practicalities of miscarriage that you started, sad though it is to have had to.
The doctor wasn't very communicative at the emergency scan, to be honest, but what he wrote referred to cystic areas in the placenta that needed identifying... I'm guessing I'm now in the throes of miscarriage proper so I don't think there's an alternative to that now? Its not been too bad as yet, its like a very heavy painful period and I think I passed the empty sac this morning. But its not been possible to capture a sample, its all too happe ing too quick. I did see my GP this evening who gave me some good painkillers and told me I shouldn't worry too much about samples as they can test in other ways... I do hope it isn't molar, not least because I'm knocking on a bit at 41 I don't have the luxury of waiting that long

My 3rd mc was a blighted ovum. I send you the biggest cyber-hug possible.

There is often no specific reason for this happening so don't rely on being given 'an answer', there usually isnt one to give. A blighted ovum is a dud egg, not a problem with the placenta. Its just chance that that that dud egg was fertilised. Awful, miserable - but just chance.

I had a D&C, bled like a period for about a week. Then waited a couple of months before trying again. I now have a wonderfully normal stroppy-arsed 13 year old.

Take time to grieve. Then when you feel ready, try again. Dont ever give up hope.