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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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Miscarriage support

302 replies

Wearenotyourkind · 20/05/2020 15:55

Hey. I am currently going through a miscarriage (8 weeks) with my first pregnancy and finding it a pretty lonely process. So I just wondered if anyone else in the same position wanted to join a thread for support etc. I know there are lots of other threads, but it's a bit overwhelming and don't want to just jump on an existing thread 💗

OP posts:
Positivity2019 · 07/06/2020 12:04

My partner has not been able to be with me all. Last saw him when I was ambulanced in at 4.30am sat morning.
Spoke to surgeon today and my left tube and ovary look healthy and fine so I just need to recover and then we can think about trying again. The hardest was the discussion about what to do with the foetus, hadn’t expected that. I lost 2L of blood and I get the impression it was caught just in time and they saved my life.
Got a ward with fine ladies on it and I’m getting home later today which I can’t wait for.
I hope you’re all fine ❤️

Wearenotyourkind · 07/06/2020 12:32

You are so brave @Positivity2019 I'm so glad you got medical attention when you did. Wow you lost a huge amount of blood. I can't imagine how difficult the discussion about the foetus was. You've been through such a traumatic time. How are you feeling today? I'm not surprised you can't wait to get home to your own bed and your partner. I hope he looks after you and waits on you hand and foot. Stay strong lovely 💜

OP posts:
Positivity2019 · 07/06/2020 16:36

That’s me home. So glad to see my DP and yup he is taking good care of me.
Now to recover in all the ways we need to. Thanks for all your kind words and wishes. It’s been just a scary time and we are ready to move past it and start trying again as soon as we can. I’m not giving up on my dream for a family.

Hope you are all fine and recovering well.

mrsssk · 07/06/2020 16:58

@Positivity2019 so sorry to hear that you've been through all this.
I had a suspected ectopic but miscarried naturally but was so terrified of a rupture. I really hope you manage to get rest and heal up. It's such a tough time and I can't imagine having to also deal with surgery on top of this x

mrsssk · 07/06/2020 17:01

@Poppypip have you been signed off work for any time off sick?
I tried to be a trooper and worked one day but honestly just couldn't face it. I've been signed off by my GP till the 19th June now.
A little worried what to say to my colleagues when I'm back though.

Hope everyone else is doing alright given the circumstances and starting the healing process.
I've found physically I am ok now - the bleeding finally stopped 2 days ago - but keep bursting into tears randomly.

goldflakepaint · 07/06/2020 23:26

Hi everyone. I have been lurking and reading on and off for the past week or so but its been a bit too painful to post until now. It has been helpful to hear about your experiences though and feel less alone. I recognise a few names on here and am so sorry that we are going through this.

I found out two weeks ago at a private scan that the baby had passed away at 7+5. We had been trying for two years, had been given a mild male factor diagnosis and were expecting to pursue IVF treatment post COVID-19 before we got pregnant naturally. I knew that it was possible for something to go wrong but I think genuinely thought that our shitty luck had passed. But clearly not.

I was planning on surgical management but had to wait more than a week and the miscarriage started by itself last Friday. I ended up in hospital due to heavy bleeding. At one point I went into shock due to having some 'product' (I hate that term) stuck in my cervix- I passed out in the hospital toilets and woke up to a whole load of doctors and nurses trying to get me out of there so that they could remove things. I remember only thinking about how close my head was to the toilet brush and how gross that was. I think it was days afterwards before the horror of the experience actually hit me.

I was in hospital overnight- there was some concern that I might have needed a blood transfusion but I was able to avoid that as last scan confirmed that the miscarriage had completed. My blood count lowered by a fifth so I'll be on iron pills for a while. The scan also found multiple small fibroids including one in the womb lining although I have been told not to be too concerned about that right now (which is easier said than done).

I can feel myself recovering physically and gaining some strength back but emotionally I have been all over the place. For some reason, I prefer the bouts of crying to the hours spent feeling numb and just completely erased. Feeling nothing is worse than feeling everything for me.

The worst part is the loss of hope. Even though I understand why they do it, at first I felt really annoyed at everyone- friends, family, professionals- encouraging us to try again as soon as possible. Even though I am desperate to finally start a family, it felt like it was devaluing the loss that I had just experienced. We wanted this baby so much and I just wanted the space to grieve that loss. Now, a week later I have mentally signed on to the idea of trying again (we were given a sensible plan by the consultant at the hospital who happened to be the medical director of the local fertility clinic) as I know it is what I really want. But emotionally, I've lost faith and feel like it will never happen. I used to look at people with families and even at the most difficult times of trying to conceive, I believed that we would get there one day. But right now, I just don't see it. I hope that will change over time.

Sorry to go on so much- I didn't really have any words to describe my experience until now when I apparently have all the words! I hope everyone is recovering in whatever way works for them. Hope to speak soon x

Tbug · 08/06/2020 06:30

@goldflakepaint im so sorry you've had to go through that :( it's the shittest situation :( I really hope you're okay 😘

Poppypip · 08/06/2020 09:58

@Positivity2019 I hope you managed to get a bit of sleep back in your own bed. Take it really easy while you recover, everything else can wait.

@goldflakepaint what a horrible experience on so many levels. I am so sorry for all you have been and continue to go through. I know what you mean about the crying vs numbness. Do get in touch with the miscarriage association if you feel it would be helpful to talk. I'm pleased you've shared your story here, it's strange how much comfort can be gained from strangers online. During this pregnancy I was still grieving the loss of my first. I think it's hard for people who haven't got lived experience of this sort of grief to really understand the impact it can have.

@mrsssk I'm signed off for this week and will take longer if needed. I think avoidance coping got me this far but I now need to really connect with what going on.

@Wearenotyourkind how are you doing? Do you think you're over the worst of it now?

@Snapper81 hope you are starting to heal.

Gosh ladies, we are so much stronger than we ever imagined. It's unbelievable that so many 100s of women share our experiences everyday and it's barely spoken about.

Poppypip · 08/06/2020 09:59

I'm off to EPC for medical management now. I'm pretty scared but ready to start moving forwards now.

Wearenotyourkind · 08/06/2020 11:26

Thinking of you @Poppypip. You're right, we are are a lot stronger than we ever imagined. The contractions stopped after 2 days and now just have strong period type cramps, so I do hope I'm over the worst of it physically.

Things have been a bit strained with my husband for the last few days, so we talked it through last night. He said that part of him feels like I should be moving on already but after listening to me, he said he can understand a bit more now. I told him what support I need to get through this and I'm hoping he took it on board.

Gosh @goldflakepaint you've really been through it and no wonder the place you're currently in has no hope. I think it's a real positive that you found the strength and the words to write down on here your story and how you're feeling. That's a huge step forward. You've been through such a traumatic experience that it is bound to take time until you are able to be hopeful again. Don't rule it out completely. Just take one day at a tine, be mindful of how you feel each day and accept that you are going through a process of grieving and trauma and pain and loss. Keep talking. We're all listening.

@mrsssk really pleased you've been signed off from work. You need time to grieve, heal and process and if you're juggling too many balls, I don't think it's helpful. Take all the time you need.

So glad you're home now @Positivity2019.

Love to everyone 💗

OP posts:
goldflakepaint · 08/06/2020 14:06

Thank you for your responses ladies, it means a lot. None of us should have to go through this but there is something to knowing that we are not alone.

@Tbug Thank you and I am so sorry for your loss as well. I think we will all be okay in time, it is just a process.

@Poppypip Thanks for the advice on contacting the Miscarriage Association, I have heard good things about them. There is an online counselling service who are offering six free sessions for NHS/keyworkers (I work in mental health) and I have signed up for a first session tomorrow with a counsellor who specialises in grief therapy. It may be a bit too soon for therapy but I'll see how it goes. I will be thinking about you today. It's understandable to feel scared. But as you said, it will allow you to move forward. Make sure you are well looked after when you come home.

@Wearenotyourkind Thank you so much for your kind words. You are completely right about allowing time for feelings to change. I think I am in the place where I do hope that I will start to hope again- if you see what I mean. I hope that things are over for you physically as that does help with moving forward. The pain lessening is definitely a good sign. And the chat you had with your husband sounds very positive and mature. It is so important for us to express our needs to those closest to us. I think at times I have felt like my partner could not possibly understand because he wasn't there for the physical parts and that maybe that makes it easier for him to focus on us moving on and trying again. But when I get out of my head and really talk to him, I can see how painful this has been for him as well and how patient he is being with me. We deal with things in somewhat different ways and may be in slightly different places in terms of grieving but that is okay.

@Positivity2019 I hope you're resting up and healing at home. I know how crap it is to be in hospital alone with something like this.

Snapper81 · 09/06/2020 10:48

Hi girls,
I'm so sorry to read how traumatic these experiences have been. My heart goes out to all of you.
Im getting better and stronger both physically and emotionally. We have started the ball rolling with our recurrant miscarriage testing. Its SO expensive! It makes me realise just how incredible the NHS is. But unfortunately I just don't have time on my side so we will be going ahead with private testing. I'm still vary much undecided whether we will try again. It really depends on the outcome of these tests. Right now I don't have the energy to go through another 1st trimester of pregnancy (I'm basically bed ridden due to severe morning sickness) and a third miscarriage is just inconceivable. Last time trying again was all I could think about but this time, I'm just too drained xx

Positivity2019 · 09/06/2020 11:10

Oh @goldflakepaint I’m sorry to hear all that you’ve gone through and I hope that you are on the mend physically and emotionally. I think it’s great to that you are engaging with counselling.

@Poppypip how are you today? Hope you are resting and taking time to recover.

@Wearenotyourkind I’m glad to hear you are through the worse of it but of course the emotional healing takes more time. Good you had a chat with your partner to hash out feelings. You need to take all the time you need to recover.

I agree with the strong comments. We are all in such an awful emotional time but we are strong. Take whatever time you need away from work as we really must recover so we can move on. I am terrible for trying to shake it off, even when I was fainting from blood loss I was like, come on, get up you need the toilet. But I am taking all the time off I need to recover. Settled on the couch with TLC on watching wedding dress shows. I want to thank you all for your support ❤️

june2007 · 09/06/2020 11:15

Finally I have had my first cycle since my MC. only took 7 months. (or4 from MM)

Poppypip · 09/06/2020 14:23

@goldflakepaint I'm glad you took up the offer of the counselling. I hope it feels helpful.

@Wearenotyourkind I hope things have got better with DH. My OH has been really sad to the point that I told him I needed him to step up a bit and support me when I was preparing for the physical trauma. I felt really bad saying it but I needed him to prop me up.

@Snapper81 well done for getting the ball rolling with tests. It is a shame you've had to go private but time is of the essence. I know what you mean about a third miscarriage, I really don't know how I would cope.

@Positivity2019 I'm joining you with a sofa/bed day today. Much needed!

@june2007 congratulations on your new cycle. That has been a long wait!

Poppypip · 09/06/2020 14:26

I’ve had such a strange time of it! Had the meds for medical management at 12:30 yesterday. Got told I would start bleeding between 30mins-4hrs later. Went to bed at about 10 and there was still absolutely no sign of blood which was really frustrating/upsetting me because I felt like I was failing again. Woke up at 1am and my waters broke! Didn’t even know that was a thing at this stage! Then passed a few clots and possibly the sack(?) bled quite heavily for about 45 mins with absolutely no pain then went back to bed. Now bleeding like a period but still no pain, not even mild cramps. Obviously not complaining about the lack of pain but I just can't believe that this is it. Do you think I'll be hit hard with a second wave like some of you ladies experienced?

goldflakepaint · 09/06/2020 22:42

@Poppypip I don't have the experience of medical management but certainly for myself I found that once everything had slowed down to period type bleeding, the worse was over. I hope it is for you. Also I experienced very little pain or cramping during the miscarriage even despite losing a lot of blood. I queried this with the midwife as I thought that couldn't be right but she said that it can happen. Everybody's different. Hope you do feel better soon.

@Positivity2019 Well done for recognising what you need right now. I'm still very much in a vegging out stage a week after being out of hospital (and starting to feel a bit guilty about it). Therapist today said that maybe that is just what I need. It was a helpful reminder to me about the need to be kind to ourselves right now.

I had first therapy session today which was okay although a bit awkward when he lost signal just as I was telling him what had happened to me. Internet can be the worse! We also briefly detoured into talking about current events which was a little weird but I realised afterwards that the only time I've been lifted out of my pain this week has been when I've focused on what is going on in the world what I can do in terms of taking some action. I have booked two more sessions- free sessions run out at the end of the month so will think about whether I need more or not after that. It might just be that I need a neutral space to talk about things for a few weeks.

Hope everyone else is doing okay Flowers

Wearenotyourkind · 10/06/2020 18:57

Hi everyone 💗 I'm still bleeding fairly heavily and having cramps, but it's only been a week since I started to bleed. I have a hot water bottle permanently stuck to ma at the moment as I find it helps with the pain.

How are you today @Poppypip? Really hoping you are over the worst of it physically. Fingers crossed no second wave 🤞🏻 how are things with your OH now?

Well done on the therapy @goldflakepaint. I can imagine it's a bit awkward not in person, but really positive that your accessing them support available.

How are you recovering from surgery @Positivity2019? I get it was amazing to see your mum.

Glad to hear you're feeling stronger both physically and emotionally @Snapper81.

How's the tearfulness now @mrsssk? It's a bloody rollercoaster, isn't it?

OP posts:
Tbug · 11/06/2020 10:09

@Wearenotyourkind I was the same, it defo helps ❤️❤️❤️

Wearenotyourkind · 11/06/2020 10:37

How are you doing now @Tbug? X

OP posts:
Tbug · 11/06/2020 12:52

Yeah im okay thank you, had a negative test and have been DTD, think I ovulated too but in not gunna track or test or anything, don't want the stress ❤️ my partner has just been furloughed so im looking to spending more time together! Hope you're ok xxx

Wearenotyourkind · 11/06/2020 14:10

That's great that you got a negative test (the only time I will say this!). So you've started trying again already? Good for you 💕 nice to spend some more time with your partner too. I think me and my husband need to spend a bit less time together at the moment! X

OP posts:
Poppypip · 11/06/2020 16:21

@goldflakepaint thank you for that reassurance. Glad you took up the offer of the therapy sessions, a space to reflect can be so valuable, as can validation of the need to chill out!

@Wearenotyourkind sorry to hear you're still in pain. You must be exhausted too? A combination of lockdown and MC is quite a lot of strain on any relationship I guess! We've pretty much reverted to our old pattern of me suggesting he could be doing more around the house (he's furloughed) and him not acting on that! I guess things could be worse though and ultimately I know he's going to make a brilliant dad to the children we still hope to be able to have one day. Can you and your OH achieve a bit of time doing your own things to process in your own way?

@Tbug congratulations on your negative test! I think I want to start trying again straight away but also wonder if I should be giving my body a break but also just want to crack on. The thought of going through the first trimester again fills me with dread! It's such a relief not to feel sick!

Hope you guys are doing ok @Positivity2019 @Snapper81 and @mrsssk

It seems that I managed to dodge the pain and now am bleeding like a regular period. It's already slowing down though which is amazing. I was so weak and dizzy did two days and nearly fainted a couple of times but I'm starting to feel a bit stronger today which is a relief. Do we just assume that the MC is complete unless we have complications?

mrsssk · 11/06/2020 17:48

@Poppypip I'm feeling a lot better mentally. I took a bit of a break from social media / the internet in general, which I've found has helped me gather my thoughts somewhat. Still on sick leave so will try and just enjoy being at home for a bit.

@Tbug glad to hear you've had a negative test. How long did that take to
Come up negative if you don't mind me asking?
I tested this morning and still had a very very very faint line showing which was not what I wanted to see right now.

Tbug · 11/06/2020 17:54

Yeah I don't like to call it trying tho cos when I stopped trying I got pregnant! 🙈 Yeah its going to be so stressful and worrying :( and I think aslong as you get a negative test you can say it's all complete xxx