Insanely heavy period after a miscarriage

[Maizie83]

Hi all, and sorry this is a slightly gross post.
I miscarried in early December (was 8 weeks pregnant), and bled on and off for about six weeks afterwards. After bleeding stopped, we started TTC again, but there was always a very bad smell from my vagina after unprotected sex. I assumed an infection, but tests came back normal. GP prescribed antiobiotics to be on the safe side. I was still having a bit of spotting which stopped after the antibiotics. I went in for a follow up check-up and my uterus all felt normal and cervical swabs came back normal. I thought that was the end of it, but bleeding then started up again on the 23rd February, and I have been bleeding since. I'm not in any pain, but it's just a really, really heavy period that's lasted over two weeks now. The GP doesn't seem that concerned, or eager to send me for a second scan... but I'm going in for a blood test tomorrow. Could it just be my hormones still haywire or something more concerning? No pain, fever or anything like that. Just a lot of bleeding. BTW, pregnancy tests are all negative and a scan in Dec confirmed that the majority of the tissue had passed. Has anyone had this experience? I've never experienced a period like it.

I'm sorry for your loss and that you are having such a rubbish time with recovery.

I had a similar experience following a later loss at 19+5. Bled pretty much continuosly for around 6/7 weeks with varying flow and ended up on antibiotics half way through due to change in smell. I passed 3 further small pieces of pregnancy tissue around 3.5 weeks in. When bleeding had pretty much stopped I then had spotting right up to first period arriving then throughout follicular phase until ovulation and then again now a few days before my second period is due. My first period lasted a week rather than my usual 3 days.

Periods can be irregular and heavier/longer for the first few cycles after a loss. Spotting can be a sign of hormonal issues but full on bleeding for such a prolonged period like you're experiencing would be much more likely to be linked to further retained tissue. I would really push for another scan to confirm all of the tissue has now passed. In terms of blood tests, iron levels will be an important one to get checked due to how heavy your bleeding has been as you may need to supplement for a while. You would ideally want to get your levels within a normal range before falling pregnant.

I hope you get answers soon and that things settle. Good luck with TTC!

@blondie272203 Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I'm so sorry for your loss too. Sounds like you've been through it too! Your insights were really helpful, thank you and good luck with TTC! Here's hoping it happens this year! :)

@Maizie83 sorry to ask but when you say they checked your Uterus did they do a scan or just swabs etc.

I only ask because I had an incomplete miscarriage and had simular bleeding. Ended up bleeding for almost months ( on and off ) before I had to have a d&c to remove
xx

@Maizie83 they also claimed majority had passed but when I went for a private scan they confimed there was still tissue x

@MeganBistram sorry, delayed reply here! Thanks for your reply and insights.

The bleeding finally stopped on 16th March after passing some enormous clots. It started up again on the 25th March for about four days and has now tailed off.

I'm praying this was my first normal period, and that the bleeding I experienced in late Feb/ early March was an incomplete miscarriage as you say.

The most recent bleeding stint was my first with what felt like normal period pains.

I've just had a scan last week and am awaiting the results.

No signs of ovulation yet, and I still have a slight ache around the site of implantation. I know my body is still not recovered from it, but it's been four months now. Hopefully on the road back to normal now. Maybe a private scan is in order, good shout!