Pregnancy test still positive 3 weeks after MC

[TheBusyLemonAnt]

Should I be worried about retained products?
I had a medically miscarriage 3 weeks ago today (baby stopped growing at 6 weeks, intervention at 10 weeks).
I have been testing with easy at home tests for a few days now and you can hardly see a line as it's so faint. They have been getting lighter as the days go on and today is hardly visible. I did a clearblue one today and it's a lot darker than I thought for 3 weeks. Should I be worried about retained products? Both tests are from today. Easy at home was with first morning urine and clear blue was early afternoon (was dehydrated at the time). I had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago and they didn't see anything but said my lining was 5.8mm so they would expect some more bleeding but it stopped that day.

I’d be worried that things weren’t going to plan and check with the Dr.

I tested strong positive for nearly 6 weeks on CB with one of my mc’s when I was just over 6 weeks.

Im sorry for your loss

Sorry for your loss too! Were doctors worried about retained products for you? They are going to call me in week and if I’m still positive then they’ll do a blood test and another ultrasound but that just seems so far away! I thought I was going to be negative soon since easy at home are so light!

Sorry to say yes I would be worried re retained products. In 2018 I had the same and on going to hospital 6 weeks later was still pregnant due to retained products and had to have a d&c.

Did you have any follow ups (scans, blood tests), within that 6 weeks? Sorry for your loss!

No I didn't in those 6 weeks. The pregnancy had been with assistance (ivf). The only reason I had the follow up was because I was going back for a review to discuss next steps / future IVF because at that stage I was still eligible for a final round under the NHS.

If there is an EPU might be worth going in. If you're in London UCLH is very good.

Im so sorry for your difficult journey and I hope you’ve had your rainbow baby since then! I had a follow up phone call with my EPU this afternoon who want me to wait another week and if still positive then I’ll go back in for ultrasound and bloods. I just wanted other people’s experiences to try and get a bit more mentally prepared if it was looking like retained products. It’s all very emotionally draining as im sure you can understand! Thank you for your help!

I was still positive after three weeks. They gave me the choice of coming in for another scan or waiting another week and testing again. Initially I chose to wait but then began bleeding heavily again so I had another scan which said there was nothing left. I then tested positive again at four weeks so they sent me for a blood test which showed low levels of HCG. I'm going back next week for another test to confirm that it is dropping.
I really hope this is over for you soon.

Sorry you're going through this OP. I had surgical management for my MMC in February. They scanned me before and after the procedure and said they were fairly certain everything was gone. They can't ever be 100% sure. They told me to contact them if I wasn't testing negative within two weeks. I tested negative within the two weeks and got my period two weeks later. I would definitely make contact with the hospital x

Thanks and sorry you're going through this. Yes that miscarriage was the last one (prior to that I'd had a loss at 5 months and an ectopic that ruptured hence IVF) and I've had my rainbows (two, the latter 8 weeks old). Infertility etc is horrible. Really wish you the very best of luck and I hope things are resolved soon. X

Thanks for your response! I have an appointment next week, hopefully I’ll be negative by then anyway. Sorry for your loss 😓

Oh wow im so sorry for all your losses! Im so happy for you that you got your two rainbow babies!!!

My first loss I had medical management, and was still positive after 3 weeks. They said to test again a week later. I did & was still positive so called again & went in for a blood test. My levels were very on the edge of nearly being negative. A week later it was negative. So 5 weeks in all. I do think some people HCG levels just take longer to come down than others

I had medical management and still had very faint positives 4 weeks after I started my period and on day 2 I finally tested negative.

Hi, so sorry for your loss!

I'm currently going through this myself, unfortunately I miscarried at 9 weeks and had an MVA on the 21st of March 3 weeks on and I still had faint positive pregnancy tests and yellow CM. I had a scan done on Friday and they found a small amount of retained placenta wgich has blood flow with my lining at 1.7. At the moment the plan is to wait and see if AF comes in the next 2 weeks with a scan for 3 weeks time. If there is no AF then they've said I'll have another MVA but with camera this time to make sure they get it all.

It's mentally exhausting when you want closure 😔

Hi OP,

I hope you're doing ok 💕 I know this is an older thread but I'm currently experiencing the same, 3 weeks post medical management for missed miscarriage and still getting positive tests (fainter than before). Did your tests eventually turn negative on their own or did you have to get further intervention?

Thanks

Hey! I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I know exactly how you must be feeling.

I got a negative at 4 weeks and then my period about 4-5 days after that.

I’m now 25 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby girl. I hope your time comes really soon!!

Let me know if you have any questions! I’m more than happy to answer anything xx

Hey,

That's amazing news! I'm so happy for you ❤️ wishing you a happy & healthy remainder of your pregnancy!
My test today is definitely fainter, unsure if I should ring EPU today or leave it a few days to see if it turns negative

@BoldReader I still tested positive for both my miscarriages after 3 weeks. With the first one, retained tissue was confirmed at a scan. I chose to wait it out and I lost it during my second period. With my second miscarriage, I didn't bother having a scan after still testing positive, as I knew I'd still choose to wait for my body to sort it out. A scan after my second period confirmed I had no tissue left.
So in my experience, if no surgery or extra medication is given, our bodies do usually sort it out themselves, but it can take 1 or 2 periods.

My EPU called me at the 3 week mark to ask if it was negative. I said it was still positive but faint and they said wait another week and they called me back a week later to find out and then discharged me as it was. Have they given you a timeline as to when they want you to have a negative or do you have any follow up appointments? I would call if you don’t just to make sure as each hospital is different! Fingers crossed it’s negative soon!! X

They said to do a pregnancy test 3 weeks post surgery and if it's positive to call them. I'm just worried they'll think I'm over reacting as the line isn't a strong positive.

Absolutely do not worry about that, they won’t think your overreacting as it’s important that it is looked at if there is retained products. I would call for your own piece of mind as I know I was really stressed at 3 weeks still having a positive. Mine was very faint until the morning of the 4th week. I think most people will have a negative by 3 weeks but I think it also depends on how far along you were/how high your HCG was. I was 10 weeks when I had my miscarriage so it makes sense that it took a while for the HCG to go down to 0. I think you should call just to see what they say, I’m sure it’s all fine but best for piece of mind!!