Natural miscarriage but tests still positive

[lettyloulou]

I'm so sorry to read about everyone's losses. This was my first pregnancy after 18 months ttc and I'm wondering if anyone more knowledgeable can give me any words of advice.

I began spotting brown discharge on Monday 26th April at 6+1 from LMP. Over the next few days the bleeding got heavier and redder like a period. I had quite sore cramps overnight on the Wednesday and on the Thursday I passed what looked like a large jelly-like clot - likely pregnancy tissue. I spoke to a GP and she agreed it sounded like a mc. She referred me to my local EPU but my car wouldn't start and I ended up having a total meltdown and hiding myself away in panic

The bleeding slowed down and stopped completely on Sunday, so it was six days from spotting to finish. I did a Clear Blue digital on Saturday, which was 9 days after the Thursday I passed what I thought was pregnancy tissue, and that said 'pregnant 2-3' which was what the last one said before the bleeding started. I took a cheapie this morning which is 12 days after and it's still showing a pretty strong positive (photo attached).

I suppose I need an ultrasound but my EPU want another referral from my GP. I'm just wondering what's going on. I thought my hcg would fall quickly although I've since read it could take weeks. I still have the tiredness and slight queasiness but my bloating has mainly gone and my stomach feels flatter. I just have no idea what to do or think so any advice would be wonderful

I'm sorry you're going through this. I think the only way you're going to know is to get a scan with the EPU. I started a thread yesterday to ask how long people have had a positive test after miscarriage and it seems like they can remain positive for quite a while, especially if there's some retained products. I had an erpc 2 weeks ago and still showing a strong positive. I would definitely ask your GP to refer you for a scan to see what's happening and hopefully give you some peace of mind.

I am so sorry about your miscarriage. After my miscarriage it took almost 4 weeks before I got a negative test. But if you are worried I would ask your hospital to scan you for retained products. Hope you manage to get pregnant again very soon.

It can take quite a while for the levels to drop, especially if you aren't having any intervention. I'm going through my fourth ectopic at the moment and the doctor's have decided not to intervene this time. We used the same method with my first one and I think it took a good 6 weeks for me to get a negative test.
However, I do think you should get checked and at least monitored. Go back to your GP, if needed. I found out that this pregnancy was going wrong on 05/05/21 (at 5+1, they check me as early as possible due to my high risk for it to be ectopic)...I've had bloods taken twice at the hospital and again at my gynaecologist. They've booked me in for another appointment in two weeks to check again. My levels had more than halved in 24h and I haven't started bleeding, yet.
It could be that you have retained products and if nobody checks, this could be dangerous. It could also just take a little longer. But you should have your GP or the EPU keep an eye on it at least.
Good luck. I hope it all works out for you.

Doctors...it's so annoying that my phone keeps sneaking that apostrophe in all the time.

one possible reason may be that you have "retained products" meaning the miscarriage didn't actually properly complete naturally. This happened to me and I ended up having to have a d&c.

Thanks everyone. It's 14 days since I passed the tissue and the line is blazing. I don't feel pregnant so retained tissue seems the most likely explanation

It's a nightmare isn't it! These are mine at 1 week, 10 days and 2 weeks post erpc so I'm a bit worried there might be some retained tissue too.

@BaaBaaEmily

It's a nightmare isn't it! These are mine at 1 week, 10 days and 2 weeks post erpc so I'm a bit worried there might be some retained tissue too.

How awful for you to still being getting lines two weeks after an erpc 😔 I'm going to get myself in for a scan as it's the only way I'm going to getting answers. I'm scaring myself silly reading about ectopics and the like 🥺

I hope they can get you in for a scan quickly @lettyloulou it's horrible the waiting around, you just want it over with!

Just to update this post with what's happening.

I went to the EPU on Monday. They did a transvaginal scan and the sonographer couldn't see anything there - not even any retained tissue. I had my blood drawn and the results were hCG 1403 which is consistent with 5/6 weeks pregnant, which explains why I was still getting 2-3 weeks on Clear Blue digitals. My progesterone was 16.3.

Went back yesterday for another set of bloods 48 hours apart and I'm just waiting now for the EPU to call to tell me if hCG is going down or not. I'm now three weeks since the day I passed what I think was the pregnancy so I really hope they are declining now