Bleeding after late miscarriage

[Alicia870]

I lost my baby boy almost 2 weeks ago he was born sleeping at 21+6. Having a very tough time coping but my question is about bleeding. My bleeding had been strange as some days I don't have any at all and then the next day there will be more bleeding. Is it normal for bleeding to stop and start?

That’s terrible @Alicia870, very sorry to hear this has happened to you. I don’t think there’s much information out there about late miscarriages which isn’t very helpful but it seems likely that your body takes longer to recover than an early miscarriage so 2 weeks doesn’t seem like too long a time and stopping and starting also sounds quite normal. It’s likely your body will take a while to adjust and bleeding is a part of this whilst your body is settling down and the pregnancy hormones are decreasing. You shouldn’t hesitate to call your EPU if it gets heavy or anything doesn’t seem right though. Take care x

Thanks @Lolo20 you're right there really isn't an awful lot about the physical process of late miscarriage online. I really haven't found very much when searching the internet expect for sites like sands, Tommy's etc but that's all mostly around the emotional loss. A late miscarriage really is labour and birth. Thanks for the message - hopefully it tails off soon

I was only 12 weeks when I miscarried but the bleeding lasted a good 4 weeks so I found it misleading when I read online that bleeding afterwards lasts around a week. Someone on here may have experienced a miscarriage later on and be able to advise better. You're right though, a late miscarriage is like labour and birth so it makes sense for bleeding to last longer if you consider when you give birth to a full term baby, bleeding can last for around 6 weeks afterwards. It's a shame your hospital and midwives haven't given you more advice and support, I hope you're doing okay

I'm so so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm 9 weeks post losing my sleeping boy due to late miscarriage.

I bled for 8 weeks exactly. No infection, no retained products. I was scanned regularly, there was still a very small clot at 4-6 weeks which is clear now. The bleeding seemed to tail off at times, and was heavier and far more clotty at times. The consultant explained the uterus is a muscle and contracts meaning the blood flow isn't consistent.

Look out for signs of infection, temp and tenderness. Ensure you're scanned if you suspect anything amiss. I've a few friends now who had late miscarriages and no one I know IRL bled for less than 3.5 weeks. It really does differ.

Again, I'm so so sorry. I found nature and reading helped. Grief doesn't last forever but love does.

Hi @Alicia870 I’m so sorry about your baby boy. I lost our little boy at 17 weeks like you I laboured and delivered. My bleeding has been very strange; Like you it’s so hard to find out what is ‘normal’ I bled very heavily for the first 3 days then it seemed to tailor off. Then on day 9 I started heavy again and now on day 11 it’s very pinky, watery and quite light. Sorry if that’s TMI. My friend is a gynae nurse and she said to expect a lot of stop starting for around 3/4 weeks. If it lasts any longer perhaps contact your assessment unit. Hope that helps you a little xx

Thanks ladies. So sorry to hear of your losses too.
Really useful info- I was actually told bleeding would probably last less time than with my first birth at full term. But 2 weeks in it's still going - and based on what you're both saying could likely still keep going. So frustrating there is so little info online. Thanks again

Hi

I am so very sorry for your loss.. I lost a baby boy as well on 15th Nov at 20+3 weeks and it was just awful. Please do take time to grieve and talk to Petals charity for counselling if that's something you feel like you need.

I remember bleeding quite heavily for the first few days and then it stopped and strated again. I remember having really heavy periods on 12th December, so my bleeding wasn't very long. In fact, it did stop pretty much fully after 2/3 weeks.

Do contact your hospital if you feel its not correct. I did contact my gp because I thought my period was too early!