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?

I have had numerous miscarriages. Some were awful, lot of pain and bleeding, some were like a heavy period.
I would not take a pregnancy test too early as my consultant said it can take several weeks to get a negative result

I second/third/fourth the advice to self-refer to your nearest EPU. Even just phoning them to see what they say, I miscarried very recently and my local EPU were so, so helpful.

How are things today, OP? Hoping you're ok x

They should scan you, in case of complications. Your GP's response is not in line with NHS guidelines at all. As others have mentioned go to a local EPU 1st thing and ask to be seen.

I hope you manage to get a referral to an EPAU. Thinking of you, and hoping you're all right.

Thanks everyone.

I am a bit all over the place. Yesterday it had slowed down to spotting and stopped. Today I have had a couple of bigger bleeds again. No more clots and still more like a light period than what I had expected of a MC but the cramps are there fairly persistently.

My EPU at the hospital nearest me isn't self referral but others nearish are so I will call up tomorrow morning and see what they say.

I have a busy day tomorrow and am supposed to be away overnight and then for an all day meeting on Tuesday. I can't really back out of it but am not sure if I am using this as an excuse not to have the worst finally confirmed.

But I just feel I need something definite to say it's over so I can stop this horrible hoping and start facing into it properly.

Hi tomorrow, I agree with the advice you have been given about going to the EPU for a scan- please do this- You really do need to know whether you have had a MC- and if so is it complete? or if you have a viable PG.

If the MC is not complete you might need tablets or an ERPC to complete it otherwise there is a danger of infection.

If you are still pregnant then you need to know for booking in purposes etc.

Your GP is an idiot. EPU's do not advise taking PG tests for confirmation of a MC until 2 weeks later as it might take 2 weeks to get a negative. If you take one a few days after bleeding as he recommends and still get a positive you will have no idea if it is because the pregnancy is continuing or if it is just too early for the hormones to have dropped to zero.

I really really wouldn't go away overnight and to an all day meeting far from home until you know more where you are. What would happen if you suddenly did start bleeding heavily and needed help?

A few clots and bleeding doesn't sound like enough for a 7 week miscarriage in my experience- but of course without a scan you don't know how developed the PG was - it might be it stopped developing at 4 or 5 weeks, and is only leaving now, so less clots to lose, (in which case it might seem like a heavy period) or it might be you haven't lost it all yet and it could suddenly start again (or need help to get the rest out), or it might be less bleeding than a seven week MC as you are not actually miscarrying....only a scan will tell you this.

The hoping is completely normal- this was a wanted baby and you don't want to lose it, of course you will hope- and women do bleed in early pg and have good outcomes sometimes. I know what you mean when you say it is horrible hoping. Its a savage thing to have to go through.

Please be gentle with yourself. This is not a small thing- I'd advise against pushing yourself to carry on as you don't want to back out of commitments- you need to make yourself the priority, you are going through an awful time and need rest and support and care

I agree completely with Armadale. From a GP point of view, if you do a pregnancy test in a week or so, even if you have miscarried, you are quite likely to still get a positive, and, even if this is the worst case scenario and you have miscarried, you need to know so that you can look after yourself properly.
You could still phone 111 tonight and get hold of GP out of hours, they are unlikely to get you scanned this evening but may well be able to get an EPAU appt booked for next week.
Please take care of yourself and be gentle with yourself. No matter what's happening, don't expect too much of yourself, it's perfectly reasonable not to carry on with work as normal.

Thanks everyone.

I spent the afternoon in EPU and they scanned and can't see any sign of a pregnancy so it looks as though I have miscarried.

The doctor was right as it happens but having clarity is so much better than the 'but maybes' I was killing myself with.

At least I know so I can move forward.

so sorry to hear it was confirmed as a MC.

Am glad you have some certainty, at least.

Look after yourself x

I'm so, very sorry. I'm hoping you can take some time off work & recover. Please be kind to yourself & take it easy. The emotional healing takes longer than the physical, IME. Take care x

I'm sorry to read that. I hope there are lots of cuddles coming your way very soon.

I'm sorry it was confirmed. Take the time you need to recover, you don't need to tough it out and cope.