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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

Probably miscarrying - any advice?

40 replies

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 09:52

5+4weeks pg and have had quite bad period-type pain for last 3 days. Went to GP yesterday and she said almost certainly early mc. Still no bleeding. Anyone else had this? Pain is quite bad but GP says can't do anything as it is such early days. Feeling very low and know others must have gone through this. How long is it likely I'll have to wait? I feel like at least if I know the worst I can start trying to cope with it.

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Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 10:02

I don't know to be honest as both my m/c started with bleeding, rather than cramping. You could call your EPU and they should be able to offer you an early scan to see what is going on. I would take 1g of paracetamol for the pain so you don't harm the pg if you don't ultimately have a m/c. They say definitely NOT to take Ibuprofen when pg. HTH.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:09

Thanks, Mumpbump. Scary looking on here and seeing what others have gone through. What advice were you given on how long to wait before TTC? Strangely my GP didn't mention it - we're off on holiday next week and hoped to have another go if all has gone wrong. Is this too early?

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Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 10:11

Well, the medical profession apparently like you to wait for at least one period so that they can date you, but you're meant to be more fertile after childbirth or a m/c, so there is something to be said for just going for it if you feel up to it.

The only thing is that ovulation can be delayed, so you just have to have a bonkathon and hope you get the right time! I found that increased EWCM (egg-white cervical mucus) was a pretty good indication of when I was about to ovulate...

ShowOfHands · 03/04/2007 10:13

If you miscarry with no known reason or problems you can ttc again straight away. The only reasons to wait are to emotionally recover and to date the next pregnancy.

I bled at 7 weeks and had awful cramps and was also told it was almost certainly a miscarriage. Lo and behold I am 34 weeks pregnant and the baby is fine. I had bad period type cramps for at least the first 9 weeks of the pregnancy. It was just things stretching and the baby embedding in the lining.

I will hope for the best for you.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:13

Bonkathon and knicker checking it is then! Thanks for the advice.

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mumto3girls · 03/04/2007 10:15

Minicooper - sorry for what you're going through, I know how it feels as I have just had another mc myself. I have had mc's that started with bleeding, but this one started with terrible cramping pains...an early scan showed that there was no viable pregnancy left...but I didn't bleed for about 4-5 days after that - it's finally finished now after 16 days!

I don't think you can write this pg off without having had a scan - i had terrble cramping pains with my first pgy and it all went fine...have you an epu in your area you could contact?

If it is a mc then yes it would be too soon to try again, unfortunately you need to give your body time to lose what is in your womb now and then try again.

Good luck with the epu, and sorry you're going through this.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:15

Showofhands - what a reassuring message. GP seemed so certain that I'd pretty much given up hope, but maybe I should just wait and see. Glad to hear yours is going well.

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lfm · 03/04/2007 10:18

It sounds a bit strange to me that a doctor can say almost certainly an early mc for this type of pain. I think I would want to get more info e.g. from early pregnancy unit before thinking the worst. They can let you know how things look and also check for ectopic pregnancy. For trying again I was told that the only reason they advise wait for period is for dating reason but at EPU they said just to go for it.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:18

Mumto3girls - so sorry to hear your news. Maybe worth trying EPU - hadn't thought of that - though presumably they can't scan til after 7 weeks? In the meantime, helpful to know that you didn't bleed for a while after pain started - I keep wondering why - if it is period pain - there is no bleeding.

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Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 10:21

They can do an internal scan much earlier - from 5 weeks on, I think from what I've seen on MN. I would definitely get a scan. It's the only way you're going to know and living in suspense is horrid!

ShowOfHands · 03/04/2007 10:24

I do sympathise. It's the not knowing that is worse. I think so early on as well an early scan could only partially tell you what is happening. You almost certainly wouldn't see a heartbeat at this stage but you could see a sac and a fetal pole. There are blood tests to check hcg levels though which can be a better indication of whether you are continuing with a viable pregnancy. Unfortunately, the best thing for you to do is to sit and wait to see if you start to bleed. If the pain worsens or moves or you do bleed very heavily then see your GP immediately. I had a miscarriage before this pregnancy and it's heartbreaking. I think it takes time to bleed because your body hasn't quite caught up with what is happening and the pregnancy hormone is still being produced, that is why missed miscarriages are sadly so common.

Have you had any pregnancy symptoms and if so, are they still there?

Look after yourself please.

pucca · 03/04/2007 10:28

Just wanted to say, don't give up on the pregnancy yet, i had terrible cramping with both my pregnancies, with my ds (2nd preg) i was even rushed through by my GP to the EPU for a scan (i was about 5/6 weeks).

Everything was ok, if you not bleeding i wouldn't worry too much atm.

and thinking of you.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:32

Thanks, everyone - good to know others have experienced this - with different outcomes. Still have sore boobs and nausea that I've had right from the start - seems unfair to get worst of both worlds - pg symptoms and period pain!

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pucca · 03/04/2007 10:37

MC...I was so convinced i was M/C-ing both times (more the 2nd), horrific pain, really thought that was it, in fact was just waiting for the bleeding to start.

Try and speak to your doc and get him to sort it so you can go to the EPU (my GP organised it over the phone, didnt go in to see him just phoned him up).

Also feeling quite at your GP making it out to be so cut and dried! with pg nothing is certain in any way.

shonaspurtle · 03/04/2007 10:41

mc, I had horrendous period pain and a small amount of bleeding at almost exactly the same stage as you. Ds is now 4 months old!

Get an appointment with the epu - if for nothing else to speak with someone who knows more about early pg than a gp.

They can give you an internal scan if the pg is very early which can show more than the external one.

If you are mc then unfortunately there is nothing to be done but it's absolutely not certain so keep taking your folic acid etc!

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:58

Thanks girls, have just taken my folic acid this second - will not give up yet! EPU is definitely worth a try. Have googled for one in my area, but not sure if there is one. Will GP reception know details? Unsurprisingly not keen on going back to same GP as yesterday!

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shonaspurtle · 03/04/2007 11:06

MC - phoning your nearest maternity hospital to ask would be easiest. You can self-refer to mine.

have a look here

Cadmum · 03/04/2007 11:12

I sure hope your GP is wrong.

FWIW I have never had period pains with a miscarriage but I have had the pains with all four of my successful pgs so don't fear the worst. Take paracetamol. (With DS1 I actually took rather strong medication as the pain was really awful. With dd1 and ds2 the pain with no blood was how I knew that I must be pg. HTH.

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 11:16

Thanks for useful link, Shonaspurtle. Will try closest EPU to me - will help just knowing that I'm doing something rather than just sitting waiting... Cadmum - thanks for advice - how weird to feel more pain with successful pgs - will take you as inspiration!

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Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 13:27

Shona - have just spoken to local EPU - much more positive than GP though obviously not making any promises. They've told me to go in for a (very) early scan and check up tomorrow, so feeling much better about things. Thanks so much everyone.

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Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 13:28

Excellent! I hope that you get a good result and that everything is okay. Will watch out to see your update...

Original poster

Minicooper · 03/04/2007 13:39

Thanks, Mumpbump, will be good to get some more detailed and knowledgeable advice - whichever way things go. Will keep you posted...

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BigEggLittleEgg · 03/04/2007 13:53

Hi MiniCooper. I had pains quite a lot for the first 12 weeks, was really worried and kept asking friends if they had experienced same thing and no-one had... However, pregnancy was fine and no probs and DS was born healthy at term. My lovely GP did say that it is often the bowel that causes abdominal pain, and I do notice now that I can get quite bad period-type pains if I need a poo!!

Fingers crossed for you at your scan. X

shonaspurtle · 03/04/2007 16:17

So glad you're getting seen! Fingers crossed that it goes well tomorrow.

that your gp didn't just refer you straight away though. That's what these services are there for.

Cadmum · 03/04/2007 19:50

Minicooper: I will watch this spot for positive news tomorrow. Hope it all goes well and that you manage to get some sleep tonight as well.

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