Is my GP being a bit shit - no plans to check if MC?

[ThinkAboutItTomorrow]

I bled a bit last night. Stopped overnight then started again earlier today. Have period type pains. Bright red blood and a couple of clots.

Went to GP expecting to be referred for a scan but instead he just said 'sounds like you have miscarried. I'll give you a letter in case it gets heavier over the weekend and you need to go to A&E. So they send you straight to the gynaecologist instead of waiting.'

I asked if that was it then, how long to expect bleeding, what if it stopped etc and he said 'expect 3-5 days bleeding. If you want to check afterwards you can do another test to see that it is now negative.'

I had been worried obviously but buoyed by the mumsnet stories and my pregnancy books etc that bleeding doesn't always mean miscarriage. He was just so immediately unequivocal and leaving me to it. '

Or am I being precious and this is just how they handle it?

Just floored by it to be honest. Guess at least no agonising wait.

It's kinda what they do tbh.
How many weeks are you?

I think your gp sounds matter of fact to the point of being a tad callous. In a mc you should ideally be checked, and yes your baby may be fine. A pg a doctor describes as wastage to my BF is now a bounding 3 yo! If you do get heavier bleeding or it stops or you are concerned, use the letter and go to a&e as a scan is really the only way to be sure

My doctor still referred me for a scan even though I was only 5 weeks and said myself I thought it was a miscarriage. That's awful. Plus what if it's not a complete miscarriage? Hope you are ok and there is no follow up needed x

I'm only 7 weeks and I'm pretty matter of fact. I just expected some more guidance or follow up or a check.

Actually I expected to be told it wasn't necessarily the end of it, wait and see and come back / go for a scan.

Like I say, it was the certainty and lack of follow up.

But in some ways better than dragging out with false optimism.

Nope that's what I was told at 11wks.

Take another preg test was the second advice. It will show negative if mc as hormones disappear. It was right in my case. At least I knew to stop fighting for hope. Which was all I wanted to know.

Still makes me bloody mad though that that was how handled.

I get the impression that because there is nothing that can be done to prevent mc, they just advise what to do if bleeding gets heavy.

Wow, I can't believe that response!! My friend was 5 weeks when she started bleeding and her doctor was amazing and straight on to the phone to the EPU for her.

Do you have an EPU near to you you could call? I would try them as they will hopefully be a lot more helpful than this charming doctor has been.

I have just had the same symptoms at 8 and a bit weeks.

My GP got me a same day scan. In my case, I have miscarried and the sonographer has booked me in for another scan a week after the first, to check for progress of the MC or for development (unlikely). At that point she said we'd discuss options regarding management of the MC.

Can you call your midwife and ask whether there is any way for you to be scanned as you are very concerned?

That's pretty rubbish advice. I was still getting positive tests weeks after I mc'd. And in this pregnancy I have bled lots but when I was last scanned, the pregnancy was still going.

Have you got an EPU near you to which you can self-refer? Some of them have drop in sessions.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

Local EPU's vary in practice, but mine wouldn't see you until beyond 6 weeks & 48hrs of bleeding.

However, beyond these points, investigations were offered, such as scans & serial blood HCG measurements.

Is your EPU open at weekends? Or would you consider a private scan?

Am crossing everything for you & hoping it works out for you x

I'm a GP and for me bleeding at 7 weeks pregnant is EPAU referral for scan (only exception I can think of would be if you now had a negative pregnancy test). I think if I were you I would phone 111 now and ask for some more advice. Sorry you are going through this and sending best wishes xxx

I was also advised by a female GP first that a few years ago it would have been called a missed period.

Dunno which comment was worse. 2011 too. Not 1970.

I'm so sorry my dear. It's truly shit. Hope your ok. Thinking of you. Xxxx

Thank you for everyone's kind words and hope.

I think I will wait out the weekend and see if the bleeding and cramps have continued. I guess if they keep going he is probably right that it's over. I guess a test in a week to confirm.

I will self refer to the EPU though if I have any doubts, ie it slows down / stops quite soon.

I guess there is no way to make it ok news to break.

I'm a bit worried that he expects the bleeding to get so bad I may need to go to A&E. At the moment it is like a light day for my period. How much worse will it get?

Thanks everyone.

Thanks paintyfingers. Why should i go to the EPU tomorrow? Isn't the scan more about certainty or is it for safety as well?

And thanks bankholidaybaby. I guess i was hoping for that but now i'm resigned.

Glad your story was happy

I think you should have been referred to EPU for a scan. Some doctors are very hard-headed about early pregnancy loss, it's true that there is nothing that can be done to change the outcome, but how it is handled and how long you have to stay in limbo, uncertain about what has happened, can make a big difference to how you cope with it.
You will probably have to have an internal scan (fanny cam) which is fine, but can take you aback if you are not pre-warned. You may need to have a faxed GP referral to be seen at EPU, at my local one you can self-refer back if you have further problems in the same pregnancy, and if they do give you bad news they also give you numbers to call (usually the gynae ward) if you need help or advice.
I'd google your local EPU, find out if they are open over the weekend (probably not) and whether you can self-refer or need a GP referral. If you need a referral I'd speak to out of hours GP over the weekend and ask them to fax something. No point in seeing anybody out of hours (made that mistake with first miscarriage) as the only thing they can do is examine you to see if cervix is closed (good) or opening (bad) but really you need the scan to tell you what is going on.
I hope it's a good outcome for you.