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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.

Missed miscarriage

885 replies

Armdjm · 28/06/2024 18:44

Hello, I am just looking for any advice (preferably from NHS experience) as I know no one who has gone through this to ask.

I am 9 1/2 weeks pregnant, had a private scan yesterday which confirmed heart stopped at 6+4. I had a gut feeling (hence the scan) I can’t explain why as I still have all my symptoms.

I rang my local unit and went today for a scan who again confirmed the same as the private scan but are making us go back in 14 days for a re scan before I can have any medical management.

it just feels cruel and I have so many worries.
Will it happen naturally when it stopped so long ago?
can I end up with an infection with it just left there?
Will the NHS offer surgical management over tablets?

I just feel tortured

thank you to anyone who has read this!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Confusedmermaid1 · 06/08/2025 08:29

@TruthUnwinding keeping everything crossed for you, congratulations 💕

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 10:50

@TruthUnwinding aw huge congratulations! So happy for you!

OP posts:
Sunshine8537 · 06/08/2025 11:15

TruthUnwinding · 06/08/2025 07:45

I just had my first BFP since this loss, fingers crossed / prayers please guys! x

Amazing! I’m currently 17weeks. Getting scans every couple of weeks to calm my nerves

TruthUnwinding · 06/08/2025 11:23

Sunshine8537 · 06/08/2025 11:15

Amazing! I’m currently 17weeks. Getting scans every couple of weeks to calm my nerves

Congrats to you too, I would be the same!

Confusedmermaid1 · 06/08/2025 11:24

@Sunshine8537 so glad things are still going well for you. I’m also 17 weeks tomorrow and had a private scan yesterday and heard the heartbeat for the first time 💕 finally beginning to relax slightly though negative thoughts do creep in from time to time!

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 11:32

Ah it’s so amazing to see so many pregnancies now on this thread 🥹

We had our little girl at 37+4 nearly 3 weeks ago now!

OP posts:
SureLook · 06/08/2025 11:41

Aww @Armdjm congratulations ❤️ I was thinking you were due soon. How amazing 💕

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 11:52

@SureLook was due 3rd August but she decided to make an early appearance!

thank you so much!

OP posts:
Sunshine8537 · 06/08/2025 11:58

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 11:32

Ah it’s so amazing to see so many pregnancies now on this thread 🥹

We had our little girl at 37+4 nearly 3 weeks ago now!

Amazing! I’m due 14 Jan but I’ve got a feeling I’ll go early. What were the reasons for her early appearance if you don’t mind me asking. Was it on her terms like all little girls 😂?

TruthUnwinding · 06/08/2025 13:13

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 11:52

@SureLook was due 3rd August but she decided to make an early appearance!

thank you so much!

Congratulations!!

LovingFawn · 06/08/2025 14:05

@TruthUnwinding everything crossed for you!

Congratulations on your little lady @Armdjm ! Hope you’re healing well and you’re both happy and healthy. It really is wonderful seeing this thread fill up with so much hope and positivity. We’ve made it to 15 weeks but are still finding it a little hard to believe - all the anxiety!

WildFinch · 06/08/2025 14:21

@LovingFawn I'm also just 15 weeks! I was on this thread last year after a MMC with surgical management in July. I had a spontaneous MC in Feb this year and now I'm 15 weeks..hoping it's 3rd time lucky! Really love the success stories as the anxiety especially early on is very tough, huge congratulations @Armdjm

Fletchasketch · 06/08/2025 14:27

@Armdjm huge congratulations, it's wonderful to see this thread come full circle with your little one. I hope you and your daughter are doing well.

Congratulations on all the new pregnancies too, hoping to join you before too long and wishing you lots of luck.

InvisibleDragon · 06/08/2025 14:40

Congratulations on your little one @Armdjm !

And lovely to hear your pregnancies are progressing well @WildFinch, @LovingFawn and @Confusedmermaid1

And congratulations on the BFP @TruthUnwinding !

I'm 34 weeks now and having a planned caesarean between 39-40 weeks, so hopefully nearly there now. If I'm honest, the anxiety has never really gone away for this whole pregnancy, but the time passes anyway!

Armdjm · 06/08/2025 15:19

@Sunshine8537 my first daughter came at 38+2 spontaneously so I had a bit of a feeling I would go earlier this time!

my water broke at 37+1 but when they swabbed it was negative but it continued to leak so I went back to triage at 37+3 and the swab confirmed it was my waters so they put me on the drip that night and she was born the following morning! Mind she was 7lb 11oz at 37+4 so I’m quite glad she didn’t hang around much longer 😂

OP posts:
TruthUnwinding · 06/08/2025 15:21

Ahh this is so lovely to read, so hopeful! I had my MMC in July 24 and a TFMR in July 23, so hoping it is third time lucky for me too. Can only hope! x

SureLook · 06/08/2025 16:42

@Armdjm I'm glad for your sake that she came early too 😂
We're TTC again now so this makes me hopeful ❤️

Readingrainbow6 · 20/09/2025 17:55

Hi everyone, I’ve been reading through your post and they have been very helpful not to feel alone and also feel a bit hopeful.

I was told on Thursday that my pregnancy was not viable at 9weeks MMC. had some brown discharge at implantation, then it stopped, then about 10 days of brown discharge (which I wasn’t sure what it meant but bc it wasn’t red they said to watch it). Then I started having symptoms so I figured things were ok. Two weeks ago I had a little bleeding and had a scan the next day. They found a gestational sac measuring 8weeks and a fetal pole measuring 6 weeks with no visible heart beat. They diagnosed it as PUV pregnancy of unknown viability and programmed a scan 14 days later. On the first scan the nurse that talked to us in that little room, played it 50/50 and that surely my dates were wrong. She mentioned misscarriage but barely.

all of this caused a lot of strain amongst us. My husband thought that I was still pregnant and everything was going to be ok and I knew. I knew the moment I kept having that discharge. I knew even more after seeing the giant sac with a lifeless fetal pole. So this has caused me to feel really alone in this. I feel like I have been grieving since that first scan but then my body doesn’t seem to get it. In fact my symptoms basically stopped after that first scan, just my breast hurt but they hurt differently.

the nurse who spoke to us after the second scan was much more senior and explained things better. Although because of my age (42) she kept mentioning that my eggs are not good. That the chances are really low. I felt this was not ok to be saying, it has thrown me on a loop of feeling even more miserable. I can’t go back in time, and this was the moment when we decided to start ttc.

also I should add that since that first red bleed, I had a week of really dark brown discharge (some days heavier). Then this week I passed mini clots when having a bowel movement and 1 just randomly. I have also had some more red blood. Some cramping in these days but still nothing happening. I’ll get some cramping and feel like it might be starting, but then it stops.

they didn’t offer me surgery as they don’t do unless further along. They offered me medication or waiting. I am going to take the medication route although I’m scared. I’ve had really bad period pain in the past, like make you faint and throw up. Plus my iron levels tend to be on the low side. So I decided to go to the gp on Monday, get a full blood test done to check my levels. In the meantime, I have continued to take the prenatal that has iron and I am eating red meet regularly. I also want to ask for a codeine prescription in case I need it.

im scared, im not going to lie. Im scared of the physical and emotional pain. I’m scared of all my eggs being unviable. I’m scared of the strain this is putting on our marriage (my hormones are everywhere, I get so angry at little things, I am extra sensitive. I’m scared of loneliness, I haven’t told anyone and don’t want to and feel like my husband is sort of there but doesn’t really get it.

I called Samaritans today, and a man answered and it wasn’t helpful at all. I then called 111, and again a man answered who said upfront I don’t know how to help, I need to put you through to a woman. Whilst he did that he left the mic on so I heard how he refers to me and didn’t like it and hung up.

I have cried so much, and I know I still have a long way.

I am sending you all lots of light to guide your way. Thanks for reading me 🫶

GreenForestsAndWhiteSnow · 20/09/2025 19:02

@Readingrainbow6 I’m so so sorry, it’s such an awful thing to go through. I was terrified too and found reading all the many stories here really helpful. I totally agree with your description, my body just didn’t get what was happening and was trying so hard to remain pregnant.

If you’re worried about pain definitely do ask for more painkillers. Did they offer you admission to hospital or tell you it had to be at home?

Cry as much as you want, take a load of time off work and try to be kind to yourself. There’s lots of good advice on this thread which I found helpful. I wish I had anything I could say to help but sadly it’s just a horrible thing to go through. But you aren’t alone 💛

Readingrainbow6 · 20/09/2025 19:33

GreenForestsAndWhiteSnow · 20/09/2025 19:02

@Readingrainbow6 I’m so so sorry, it’s such an awful thing to go through. I was terrified too and found reading all the many stories here really helpful. I totally agree with your description, my body just didn’t get what was happening and was trying so hard to remain pregnant.

If you’re worried about pain definitely do ask for more painkillers. Did they offer you admission to hospital or tell you it had to be at home?

Cry as much as you want, take a load of time off work and try to be kind to yourself. There’s lots of good advice on this thread which I found helpful. I wish I had anything I could say to help but sadly it’s just a horrible thing to go through. But you aren’t alone 💛

Thank you so much for your reply and lovely words @GreenForestsAndWhiteSnow they mean the world to me right now.

yeah, I’ll make sure I get painkillers. They did offer me to be in the ward for 24hrs for it, but I feel like I am going to need lots of emotional support and I would feel like I couldn’t ask for it to the staff. I hope I don’t end up in a&e, bc it would probably be worst.

I hope to have all blood test done soon so I can do this. Who knows, maybe it will start on its own but probably not.

thanks again 💕

SureLook · 20/09/2025 20:11

Hi @Readingrainbow6 first of all I'm so so sorry for your loss. We all know how you feel here so reach out any time.
Second of all that "senior" nurse should have bloody known better. What a stupid thing to say at an already desperately sad time.
I chose surgery for my MMC which was fine. However, a week before the surgery I passed some myself. I had cramps very low down and then passed several clots. They scanned me and I still had some retained tissue so they went ahead with the D&C. I then sadly had a blighted ovum after that and opted for medical management. I wasn't keen on another surgery only four months later. I read so many horror stories but mine was totally fine and completely manageable. If you wanna PM me for more details feel free.
Let yourself feel how you feel. It's so shit and nothing anyone says is gonna make you feel better. However I did take some comfort from something I read on here. A lady said she likes to think of it as her body wanted the baby so much that it just couldn't let it go ❤️

Sunshine8537 · 20/09/2025 20:28

Readingrainbow6 · 20/09/2025 17:55

Hi everyone, I’ve been reading through your post and they have been very helpful not to feel alone and also feel a bit hopeful.

I was told on Thursday that my pregnancy was not viable at 9weeks MMC. had some brown discharge at implantation, then it stopped, then about 10 days of brown discharge (which I wasn’t sure what it meant but bc it wasn’t red they said to watch it). Then I started having symptoms so I figured things were ok. Two weeks ago I had a little bleeding and had a scan the next day. They found a gestational sac measuring 8weeks and a fetal pole measuring 6 weeks with no visible heart beat. They diagnosed it as PUV pregnancy of unknown viability and programmed a scan 14 days later. On the first scan the nurse that talked to us in that little room, played it 50/50 and that surely my dates were wrong. She mentioned misscarriage but barely.

all of this caused a lot of strain amongst us. My husband thought that I was still pregnant and everything was going to be ok and I knew. I knew the moment I kept having that discharge. I knew even more after seeing the giant sac with a lifeless fetal pole. So this has caused me to feel really alone in this. I feel like I have been grieving since that first scan but then my body doesn’t seem to get it. In fact my symptoms basically stopped after that first scan, just my breast hurt but they hurt differently.

the nurse who spoke to us after the second scan was much more senior and explained things better. Although because of my age (42) she kept mentioning that my eggs are not good. That the chances are really low. I felt this was not ok to be saying, it has thrown me on a loop of feeling even more miserable. I can’t go back in time, and this was the moment when we decided to start ttc.

also I should add that since that first red bleed, I had a week of really dark brown discharge (some days heavier). Then this week I passed mini clots when having a bowel movement and 1 just randomly. I have also had some more red blood. Some cramping in these days but still nothing happening. I’ll get some cramping and feel like it might be starting, but then it stops.

they didn’t offer me surgery as they don’t do unless further along. They offered me medication or waiting. I am going to take the medication route although I’m scared. I’ve had really bad period pain in the past, like make you faint and throw up. Plus my iron levels tend to be on the low side. So I decided to go to the gp on Monday, get a full blood test done to check my levels. In the meantime, I have continued to take the prenatal that has iron and I am eating red meet regularly. I also want to ask for a codeine prescription in case I need it.

im scared, im not going to lie. Im scared of the physical and emotional pain. I’m scared of all my eggs being unviable. I’m scared of the strain this is putting on our marriage (my hormones are everywhere, I get so angry at little things, I am extra sensitive. I’m scared of loneliness, I haven’t told anyone and don’t want to and feel like my husband is sort of there but doesn’t really get it.

I called Samaritans today, and a man answered and it wasn’t helpful at all. I then called 111, and again a man answered who said upfront I don’t know how to help, I need to put you through to a woman. Whilst he did that he left the mic on so I heard how he refers to me and didn’t like it and hung up.

I have cried so much, and I know I still have a long way.

I am sending you all lots of light to guide your way. Thanks for reading me 🫶

Hi poster,

such a sad read. My heart goes out to you. My situation was similar. I went for private scan at 7 weeks and I was measuring 5. Week later back at private clinic who said the pregnancy wasn’t viable so I was referred to nhs. 7 days later I took the medication. Yes the pain was bad for an hour or so but once the clot had passed; the pain disappeared. I took one of the painkillers offered.

I am disappointed at what the midwife said to you. I think that’s really insensitive and if I were you would complain. After my MMC (no symptoms other than the scan) I had one period and then fell pregnant the following cycle. I am now 23 weeks pregnant at age 40.

sending you love and strength on your journey.

Armdjm · 20/09/2025 21:14

@Readingrainbow6 I am so sorry you have found yourself here! But this is such a safe welcoming thread I hope we can give you some kind of comfort and experiences to help you along the way!

first off I’m so sorry you are going through this cruel ordeal but also I’m so sorry you’ve been so unsupported medically. I didn’t take the medicine so can’t comment on that but I did have retained tissue that I passed a few days after surgery naturally and the pain was intense for maybe 30 mins until I passed what was left and then it just went to normal period cramps to nothing quite quickly!

Its so hard to look to the future while you’re in the middle of it all, I told my husband I never wanted to try again and that I could never ever risk putting myself through it again. But I now have a lovely 9 week old daughter and I will always think what would my other baby have been like but try to see the other side of it that I would never have met Grace had it not happened and she is the littlest light of my life already!

My inbox is always open and this thread honestly saved me emotionally, I found more comfort into speaking to women on here then trying to talk to anyone else so really hope you feel the same and we can help you in some ways! ❤️

OP posts:
KT199 · 20/09/2025 21:25

@Readingrainbow6 I am so sorry you are going through this. It’s one of the saddest and strangest things I’ve personally ever experienced.

I would recommend definitely taking some time off of work to put yourself first and to prioritise your mental and physical health. It can be tough on relationships too, but that’s okay.. could you try talking to your husband and just letting him know all of the above which you have said?

I note you’ve mentioned you reached out to the Samaritans and 111, I’m so sorry they couldn’t help you in your time of need. I never used it personally, however a friend of mine reached out to the miscarriage association they have both a phone line and online chat (although having checked just now for you it isn’t a 24/7 service). I follow organisations also such as Tommys and Sands which all have helpful tools and posts as they are targeted specifically at baby loss. I feel these organisations will be much more understanding and helpful to you if you want to reach out again for help. Also, my inbox is always open.. feel free to send me a message if you want to chat.

From a pain perspective I had a MVA, D&C and medical management to try resolve my MMC - I would say yes the tablets caused cramping but I managed with OTC medication but absolutely ask for the codeine you might as well be as pain free as possible.

I have found some nurses/drs really lack empathy. I am sorry such ridiculous things were said to you. Many women go on to have healthy babies at 42, don’t let her words dishearten you.

Take care of yourself and reach out if needed!!

TruthUnwinding · 21/09/2025 06:45

Readingrainbow6 · 20/09/2025 17:55

Hi everyone, I’ve been reading through your post and they have been very helpful not to feel alone and also feel a bit hopeful.

I was told on Thursday that my pregnancy was not viable at 9weeks MMC. had some brown discharge at implantation, then it stopped, then about 10 days of brown discharge (which I wasn’t sure what it meant but bc it wasn’t red they said to watch it). Then I started having symptoms so I figured things were ok. Two weeks ago I had a little bleeding and had a scan the next day. They found a gestational sac measuring 8weeks and a fetal pole measuring 6 weeks with no visible heart beat. They diagnosed it as PUV pregnancy of unknown viability and programmed a scan 14 days later. On the first scan the nurse that talked to us in that little room, played it 50/50 and that surely my dates were wrong. She mentioned misscarriage but barely.

all of this caused a lot of strain amongst us. My husband thought that I was still pregnant and everything was going to be ok and I knew. I knew the moment I kept having that discharge. I knew even more after seeing the giant sac with a lifeless fetal pole. So this has caused me to feel really alone in this. I feel like I have been grieving since that first scan but then my body doesn’t seem to get it. In fact my symptoms basically stopped after that first scan, just my breast hurt but they hurt differently.

the nurse who spoke to us after the second scan was much more senior and explained things better. Although because of my age (42) she kept mentioning that my eggs are not good. That the chances are really low. I felt this was not ok to be saying, it has thrown me on a loop of feeling even more miserable. I can’t go back in time, and this was the moment when we decided to start ttc.

also I should add that since that first red bleed, I had a week of really dark brown discharge (some days heavier). Then this week I passed mini clots when having a bowel movement and 1 just randomly. I have also had some more red blood. Some cramping in these days but still nothing happening. I’ll get some cramping and feel like it might be starting, but then it stops.

they didn’t offer me surgery as they don’t do unless further along. They offered me medication or waiting. I am going to take the medication route although I’m scared. I’ve had really bad period pain in the past, like make you faint and throw up. Plus my iron levels tend to be on the low side. So I decided to go to the gp on Monday, get a full blood test done to check my levels. In the meantime, I have continued to take the prenatal that has iron and I am eating red meet regularly. I also want to ask for a codeine prescription in case I need it.

im scared, im not going to lie. Im scared of the physical and emotional pain. I’m scared of all my eggs being unviable. I’m scared of the strain this is putting on our marriage (my hormones are everywhere, I get so angry at little things, I am extra sensitive. I’m scared of loneliness, I haven’t told anyone and don’t want to and feel like my husband is sort of there but doesn’t really get it.

I called Samaritans today, and a man answered and it wasn’t helpful at all. I then called 111, and again a man answered who said upfront I don’t know how to help, I need to put you through to a woman. Whilst he did that he left the mic on so I heard how he refers to me and didn’t like it and hung up.

I have cried so much, and I know I still have a long way.

I am sending you all lots of light to guide your way. Thanks for reading me 🫶

I am so sorry this happened to you. It happened to me too last year and it’s so cruel as your body happily thinks you are pregnant.

Did the nurse explain why you couldn’t have surgery? They detected my mmc at 10 weeks with a baby measuring 6 (only a week after you) and they let me have surgery under GA. It was so much less traumatic as I woke up and it was all over . The medical management at 9 weeks seems like it would be quite horrible. Can you push back?

seconding the suggestions about sands and Tommys. You can call Tommys and they will be much more understanding of your experience.

finally, to echo previous comments. Since the mmc I have become pregnant again and am 10 weeks. The midwife who told you that you are too old is stupid! I got help from ‘the fertility suite’ / Rachel sheriff online (I’m 37) and she has helped me so much . Maybe something to consider in a few months time ❤️