What do I save and how?

[IhavetowaitHOWlong]

Apologies for the rather unpleasant question and graphic detail.

Went for a scan this morning and discovered that my baby had died four weeks ago (at 8 weeks). I opted to let things progress naturally as the spotting I had gone in with had already progressed to significant bleeding before I left. As this is my third successive miscarriage I would like to save the products (hate that word!) for testing, but I don't know what to save or how.

I got back a couple of hours ago, about an hour later I started having what I'd describe more as contractions than the period pains I'd been told to expect and am now camped out in the bathroom rather overwhelmed at just how much I am passing and how quickly. My last two MC happened before 6 weeks and were much more drawn out than this.

What do I save? I assume they are not interested in seeing every clot, but how do I know what is significant? Do I just keep everything and let them sort through it at the EPU? Should I wash it to help determine what's significant? How do I keep it? It's very hot and the EPU is shut now until the morning, should I freeze it?

There is one bit in particular which is very different to everything else, grey/brown and not bloody, but is very small and is not at all like I would expect an 8 week old foetus to look. I'm guessing I should save that, but should I keep it separate to everything else?

Apologies again for the detail and the rambling post. Just feeling a bit shaky and can't think straight

So sorry for your loss :( I would keep anything that looks like tissue. Have they said will test for you? Ime it doesn't look like a baby at this point, hopefully bleeding will slow once you have the baby, if not do go to A&e. Best wishes :(

Oh and sorry, fridge and Tupperware would be my guess, I wouldn't wash it

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss :( I would keep anything that's a significantly large clot, and also tissue like bits. They would need to check the clots and placenta etc to make sure you aren't about to haemorrage.

Thanks for the advice.

After a pretty hellish night things have slowed to a much more manageable level today and I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed. Looks like it's pretty much over now and I'm hoping after some sleep I'll be well enough to head back to EPU and take things in for testing. Fingers crossed that provides some useful answers

So pleased things are slowing for you now, take care of yourself, sleep and cry as you need to. After my 10week loss it took me a good 10 days to feel physically better, so look into time off work as you need it .

I really hope you get some answers and good care from the EPU

Thanks. SAHM to a very active 2yr old, so time off work as such doesn't really happen, but at least I'm at home. DH's work have agreed to him working from home for a couple of days too, so he's able to do most of the physical stuff and I can take it pretty easy.

Should be at my 12 week scan now so struggling a bit emotionally, but at least I have good support. Staff at the EPU have been fantastic and bloods and referral are already on the way to the recurrent miscarriage clinic. The nurse from EPU phoned earlier to check how I was doing and was able to reassure me that although it sounds like it's happening very quickly, it's still within the realms of normal. Totally different experience to last time when after phoning the midwife to tell her I had started bleeding I was told that it sounded like a miscarriage, but it was too early (at 6 weeks) to scan me. She said they weren't worried until I'd had three in a row anyway and just left me to get on with it. What a difference it makes having good care!

howlong I am so sorry you are going through this. It's good that EPU are looking after you this time though, being taken seriously makes such a difference. You are v welcome on the recurrent miscarriage thread if you'd like some support or company.