Miscarriage at 8 weeks - confused about scan

[mum2be1982]

I found out I was pregnant at the end of April. It would have been my first child and I'm 35. I would have been 9 weeks tomorrow. It would have been everything I'd ever wanted but it wasn't to be.

I started spotting on Saturday, it turned into bleeding and cramps on Sunday and then later in the day I passed some large (palm sized) clots. I passed them on the toilet and didn't look at them closely.

I had an appointment at the EPAC this morning, where they performed an ultrasound but the images weren't clear so they did an internal scan (not as unpleasant as I'd feared so don't worry about having one if you need). The internal scan showed a few spots of what appeared to be bleeding, and one larger dark circle that they weren't sure of. There certainly wasn't anything in this such as a foetus, but the midwife was being very vague. She was almost suggesting that it could be a gestational sac of a much earlier pregnancy and didn't confirm a miscarriage. I've got to go back for another scan a week on Friday.

At the time I was too upset to really ask the questions that are now going through my mind. I know my dates, it's not possible that it's a more recent pregnancy. So what is it? Could it just be a large spot of bleeding? Or is it a gestational sac and I had a missed mc a few weeks ago? Or could I have passed the foetus and the sac remain? I've not had a huge about of bleeding, it's been more like a light to medium period. Should I expect some major bleeding over the next few days?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm going on a weeks holiday to Spain in 2 days and I'm nervous about bleeding more when I'm away. I think I just need to hear other experiences if you're willing to share, to put my mind at ease.

I'll be prepared to ask more questions next week when I return!

Lots of love to anyone going through a similar experience.

Hello x Just wanted to say I fully get where your head’s at. I’m 34, I naturally miscarried first baby last month and I was 8 weeks. I had a private scan a couple of days before because I just ‘didn’t feel pregnant anymore’ if that makes sense. The scan was inconclusive as too small but I had a heartbeat. I then ended up at the EPU a couple of days later with mild spotting where they confirmed the heartbeat had stopped. Miscarriage started that night and the following day I passed palm sized clots like you described. It took exactly a week to fully stop bleeding (medium period it felt like) and I then went back to the EPU for the final scan to confirm it had all passed through. It’s an utterly crap situation - I truly feel for you because nobody understands just how horrible it is until you’ve been through it. I’ve finally had my first period so I feel like I’ve returned to normal almost and I’m not crying all the time! I think you’re over the worst of it with the bleeding and hopefully halfway through your holiday it will stop and you can try to enjoy yourself xxx

Very sorry to hear your news. I went through something very similar 6 weeks ago (started bleeding at 9 weeks, an internal scan revealed a sac and no foetus). We were heartbroken. I bled heavily for 3 days then it eased off. After a second scan I had some retained tissue so I had some surgery to remove the rest, bled for a few more days. I'm physically fully recovered now. I was actually able to do quite a bit whilst bleeding (I did the garden!). I would absolutely call the EPU today with your questions so they can resassure you. That's what they are there for. Give them a call. Take care x

Thanks so much for your replies. It's seems so selfish to say "it's nice to hear others have went through the same" but it makes me feel less alone. We are all part of this horrible club that no one really talks about in real life. It's made me realise how amazingly strong women are, and I know I'll get through this in time.

I'm too scared to phone the EPU, as the woman in the office answering the calls is so unsympathetic and really blunt. When I called on Monday she basically told me there was nothing they could do and I had to push to get seen. So I think I'll just wait on my appointment next Friday as the midwife was lovely and caring, despite being vague. I think my head just wasn't in the right place to process what she was saying but next week should be a little easier. I knew from the minute I started bleeding that this pregnancy was over though.

This holiday certainly won't be the one we had planned but I think my partner and I need the time away from reality to process what has happened, and I'm determined to enjoy at least some of it.

Really sorry for your loss, thinking of you. Same thing happened to me two weeks ago (also 8 weeks). Just to give the range of experiences (not to scare you - just I would have liked to have known what to expect in advance): I bled a lot more heavily than the above posts have described (couldn't leave the bathroom, let alone the house) for the first day. I then had very heavy bleeding for a week (much heavier than a period, but able to move around so long as I took those big maternity pads with me and replaced them every hour or so). Then one more week like a fairly light period. Finished yesterday, so two weeks in total.
Given your scan is still showing some possible remaining tissue (not sure if that's the right word), maybe prepare yourself for the possibility of further heavy bleeding - might not happen tho. At its worst there is no way I would have managed at an airport or on a plane, as the blood was literally pouring out (this only lasted about an hour tho). Some people also describe labour like pains, but I didn't have that and the pain was just like bad period pains, nothing too bad. I wonder if that's more likely at a later stage. Maybe stock up on maternity pads, towels and painkillers so you have them easily accessible when you're abroad. You really might not need them tho, and the time away could be really healing.
I did find going away really helpful last week, so I definately don't want to put you off. Maybe the hospital will be able to clarify whether to expect heavy bleeding, or whether the worst has passed? I'm sorry they haven't been more helpful or caring.
Whatever you decide, hope you get the space you need to come to terms with your loss. I felt OK (detached) for about a week, then the second week I was really emotional. I now feel I've mostly adjusted to the situation. Everyone's different tho. Look after yourself

@mum2be1982 sorry to hear that your EPU hasn't been great. I wonder if you could perhaps contact the miscarriage association as they have a helpline www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/how-we-help/helpline/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7nYBRCwARIsAL7O7dHAgiA8afY_WpBj4URQL3KaUJ9d446zj0R1UWxpEJOe32mAECE5Z-UaAmeyEALw_wcB

Sorry to hear about your loss too @Mellowingslowly I totally agree with your advice.

Also it seems to differ from woman to woman in terms of how much to expect with the bleeding, and how long. I'm not sure if the EPU told you but I was advised that if the bleeding became really heavy (going through more than a pad an hour) or if I was in extreme pain to go to a&e. Also don't use tampons or have a bath due to risk of infection. I think I would give the miscarriage association a call for some professional advice, for reassurance before your holiday.

@Mellowingslowly thanks for the advice. I'll definitely stock up on some maternity pads just in case

@Mistymeow I think you're right, I'd probably be best to give them a call for some professional advice as I've not really had much at all.

And again a big thanks in general to everyone for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. I'm having a bad day today and your support really does mean a lot xx

@mum2be1982 no worries at all. It makes me feel much happier knowing I can be of a little help to someone who is experiencing a miscarriage. You will heal x