Retained products, first period or chemical?

[vjb39]

As if losing your baby isn’t enough… here I am 12 weeks later still with a positive test 😩 advice please as I really don’t know how much more of this I can take.

I had a D&C on 18th May for 2.2cm retained products after 2 failed rounds of misoprostrol for a MMC that was discovered 30th March.

Bleeding after D&C was light, took a test 10 days later and got the faintest of squinters which was amazing after seeing clear positives for so long. Bleeding slowed to spotting and I assumed that D&C had done its job and the test having been so faint would be negative any day.

3 weeks after d&c I started AF style cramping and bleeding heavier- called the EPAU and they said it’s likely to be my period, a little bit earlier than expected but as long as it’s not too heavy or painful it can be normal.

This heavier bleeding has now been going on for 12 days! It’s lighter than my normal period, sometimes heavy and red, sometimes lighter and pink and sometimes mucusy (sorry TMI)… also lasting way longer than usual. Anyway I got freaked out that’s it’s not actually my period and did a test (or 4)… all squinters 😭 if it was my period surely I would be testing negative by now?

My HCG was 500ish when I had the D&C so I feel like after nearly 5 weeks it should be at 0? I’m now worried about having retained products again.

Or could it be a chemical? That could account for the faint tests and when I have had a chemical previously I bled for 9 days on and off?

Sorry for the long rant but I’ve been through so much the last 3 months, I was so happy after the D&C because I felt it was all finally over and now there’s all this uncertainty again 😩

Yeah I felt the same @Chrissy1208 - there’s the initial shock and sadness of the MC but then it quite quickly became eclipsed by worry about my own body and the consuming experience of feeling physically crap, and that feeling has really dominated. I don’t know if after this is all over we’ll uncover some new layers of emotion about the loss itself. It’s definitely left me with anxiety around health though, and hyper sensitivity to any bodily twinge. So I can see why you’re worrying about long term effects on fertility. I have similar thoughts. I prefer to think of them as another symptom (of anxiety, resulting from trauma) rather than any indication of reality. Chances are we’ll be fine TTC again.

I had bleeding in exactly the same pattern as you, in terms of it all coming out on the toilet rather than on pads. It’s gravity I guess, and may be to do with how the uterus is placed - mine is apparently retroverted. They weren’t worried as I wasn’t soaking a pad in an hour or whatever the guidance is, and it frustrates me there wasn’t any recognition that I could still be losing a lot of blood. As far as I remember you didn’t bleed for a while, but do be conscious of the effects of blood loss over time, and maybe go to GP if it doesn’t get better. You may get further starting from a fresh assessment than trying EPU again. Though it’s a bit shocking they’d leave you with known RPOC and no follow up. I feel for you - it’s a horrible nightmarish existence.

@Chrissy1208 i am so sorry you are still going through this! I would try and get yourself back to the docs or to EPU as soon as possible, that’s exactly what my bleeding was like too, nothing overnight, lots in the morning and then it would tail off through the afternoon. If you are bleeding that much and it’s not calming down I would assume it’s your body trying to rid itself of the product and it’s not working. Let us know how you get on!

@Oxalis00 wow I wonder if that was a period then, if it falls in line with your positive ovulation tests? How has your recovery after hysteroscopy been? Are you feeling more positive?

I am 27 days post hysteroscopy today and have started my first period bang on time! It’s so light atm which is a bit worrying (like you said) because everything online says expect more painful and heavier but I’m just gonna wait and see 🤞🏼

Good to hear your updates @vjb39 - though I never thought I’d be so interested in the details of a stranger’s menstrual cycle 😂Do keep me posted!

I was feeling a bit better physically last week, 2 weeks after hysteroscopy and transfusion, but now have a miserable cold so am feeling grim again. Hopefully it’ll pass soon and I can get on with getting better. Still quite anxious after it all, and just want some signs of normality. I’m tracking ovulation again now as PreMom app thinks I should be ovulating this weekend if indeed that was a period. We’ll see!

@Oxalis00 hahaha that is so true, weird isn’t it 😂😂 glad you are starting to feel better and hopefully too can get over the cold soon and back to normal! Have you been temping or using OPKs? How are you feeling about TTC?

I’ve been using the test strips - I didn’t think temping would work as my sleep is pretty disturbed having a nearly 3yo climbing all over me half the night! It did work for conceiving her all those years ago, back when I was much more well rested!

Hi @vjb39 how are you getting on? I’m on my period now and it seems more normal than the very light one I had last month, so hopefully my body is finally sorting itself out. Still waiting for the OK to TTC from docs though as they want to make sure my blood levels are back to normal after being so anaemic.

Hi @Oxalis00 glad to hear you are doing ok! Have you got more blood tests to check your levels coming up soon then?
My first period was 6 days so longer than normal but came right on time… hoping that means I am back to normal? Although I have had some spotting the last few days CD 15-17 which I have never had before… trying not to worry about it too much and just hope it’s some ovulation spotting 😩

Sounds like you’re on the right track @vjb39 - I can imagine it just takes a while for hormones to settle again. I feel like my body is extra sensitive to hormonal shifts now - I’ve had ovulation pain, sore boobs, and huge PMT, none of which I had before. Such a rollercoaster! Yeah, got a blood test next week so will see what that shows. Hopefully nothing some iron tablets can’t fix.

I hope things keep ticking along for you, though I understand the reaction and worry. It’s completely to be expected after all you’ve been through.

@vjb39 hiyanwhat did your spotting end up being? Is it normal to spot sometimes

Hi just wondering how you all got on TTC after this ordeal?! I’m in a very similar position with repeated procedures, constant bleeding and RPOC so would be so good to hear what your outcomes were as currently I’m just panicking that this will affect my fertility!! X

Hi @SarPea93 - I’m so sorry you’re going through this shitty experience. I was completely unaware that a miscarriage could be something other than a single event, and I still feel pretty angry about some of the treatment I received during it - or rather, the ways I was dismissed. BUT my body recovered fairly quickly, although my periods were weirdly light after D&C and hysteroscopy. I’m pleased to say I conceived four or five months later, and now have a nearly five month old baby who is a joy. Chances are very high that you’ll end up here too! I do understand the worry though. It’s a horrible knock to confidence and worrying feels like a kind of control where you’ve had none. Wishing you good health and good luck xx