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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

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Should you have scan after Natural Miscarriage? And how long did you bleed/ have pain for?

29 replies

iggypiggy · 16/04/2009 10:38

I finally had my miscarriage on Easter Sunday - after 9 days of brown blood spotting - which was gradually getting heavier.

After Sunday I had lots of bright red blood - and i still am having that now - but only a small amount of bright red blood. However I am still getting pains (not exactly cramps - more odd twinges... sore feelings)

So is now exactly 2 weeks since spotting started and 4 days after MC actually happened...

Should I be going for a scan to check everything gone? How long did the pain/ bleeding go on for others?

For info - I would have been 10 weeks PG when MC happened - but baby stopped growing at 6 1/2 weeks. in case that relevant.

Thanks all xx

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mermaidspurse · 16/04/2009 16:10

iggy so sorry for you and no amount of words help I know. If I were you I think I would go and see your dr, just in case you have an infection. I bled for exactly 14 days with my last mc at 11 weeks. Just go easy though, your body and your poor head have been through a lot in the last few weeks.x

iggypiggy · 16/04/2009 16:27

Thanks mermaidspurse i think i will ring Dr for advice.

The bleeding appears to have pretty much stopped now... although guess might start again?

Feeling v. tearful - so guess hormones just crashed abit or something xx

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mermaidspurse · 16/04/2009 16:45

iggy its just the pain bit I would just check, you have been through enough without further worry. I remember having a real 'yes I'm absolutely finnnne' for the first 2 weeks and then a huge crash by which time of course everyone in rl thinks you are indeed fine and are busy with rl things. Hope things work out for you.x

iggypiggy · 16/04/2009 16:50

Yes pain bit owrries me - is sort of comes and goes.. so can't tell if is just end of mc or soemthing else..

Will check with Dr - thank you xx

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LovelyPear · 16/04/2009 19:15

I think it's worth having a scan anyway. I felt terrible 4 days after my mc - v nauseous and wiped out - and wanted to check all was as it should be. I felt much better for talking to the doc about it.

The main signs of infection are a high temp, pains in your tummy, smelly discharge...

Altagloria · 16/04/2009 22:07

I had an mc at 7 weeks pg at the end of February and bled for 5 whole weeks, with an unsuccessful medical mc procedure in the middle of it. I waited until the bleeding finally stopped then went in for yet another scan that showed I was all clear at last.

If you are not in great pain (i.e. cramps that paracetamol doesn't fix), not bleeding too heavily (filling a sanitary towel in half an hour)and you don't have an 'offensive' smell then miscarrying naturally just means waiting until the bleeding has been stopped for a couple of days then phoning your EPU back for a scan to check it has all gone. If you have any of those other symptoms then phone your doctor asap.

If you can't self-refer to the EPU you'll have to see your GP but generally yes you will need a scan a few days after the bleeding stops just to make sure the pregnancy sac and lining aren't still in your uterus.

So sorry you're going through this, I know how awful it is.

Joolsiam · 17/04/2009 08:09

Iggy - I remember when my bleeding tailed off, I did get some strange pains and asked about them on here at the time - does it feel a bit like muscle strain / ache ?

I put it down to two things - one being stressed muscles due to the mini contractions that an MC at that stage can bring, plus the opposite of stretching pains - all your bits moving back to where they used to be.

If it is that, then I would say it is normal. If more like period pains, it may be that the MC is not yet complete...

Hope you have taken the day off and are pampering yourself today x x x

iggypiggy · 20/04/2009 10:29

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories xx

Jools yes - was kind of muscle strain - i agree it was stressed muscles from mini crontractions - cos that is what it felt like.

Bleeding has stopped now - and pain gone too - so am hoping this means is all gone?

I did take day off - think I really needed it. xxx

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cupcakefairy · 20/04/2009 13:12

Hi Iggy hope you're feeling ok today

I too had some muscle type pains around my womb/ovaries for 2 weeks after my medical managament; I should think it's fairly normal after your uterus has been through that 'trauma' so to speak. I also felt really really nauseous the week after the m/c and v tired.

My EPU booked me in for a scan 4 weeks after the MM so I am going in on 30th April. You probably should ask for one just to check it's all ok.

HappyBump · 20/04/2009 15:47

I had a mmc at 13 weeks (baby stopped growing at 9+ weeks.

The bleeding went like this for me ... 2-3 brown spotting, 1 day heavy heavy heavy bleeding, then 2-3 days of bleeding that got lighter,then finally on the 7th day I passed the sac, then very light bleed/spotting for about a week (so total about about 2 weeks)

I did have an internal scan on day 8-9, and they found that most of the "products of conception" had gone. I was advised to take a pregnancy test about 2 weeks later to make sure that everything had gone. If it came out negative I was told there was no need to go back.

The first time I mc I had to go back twice to check that everything had gone, I mc at 7-8 weeks. I bled for about 2 weeks then as well, but a different experience for me because it was earlier.

I think I preferred the taking the pregnancy test route although it was weird to take and hope for a negative result, but much better than going back and forth for internal scans.

twogirls1more · 26/04/2009 13:04

Hi all!

Have found all your posts helpful. My periods been erratic since coming off pill a few mths ago, but continued..so was v surprised to find out pregnant a wk ago, considering had been bleeding v lightly, on & off for a gd wk before! (only took test cos my boobs hurt so much.)

Anyway, had rollercoaster wk ,within 2 days the bleeding was bright red and getting abit heavier, then Friday it turned to clots resulting in me passing the pregnancy. (I'm thinking was about 8-10wks but not sure as erratic cycle.) Didn't have cramps before but back ache, however, the following night (sat) was woken by bad "period type" pain low down (went with Paracetamol) I guess this was uterus shrinking back?

Tried to book docs appt last wk but receptionist v unhelpful & said 1st appt nxt Thurs!! I feel ok in myself at the mo but I guess should try request scan when bleeding stops to make sure all gone? Wonder how long will bleed for? Does anyone know if it makes a difference that I bled for over a wk before finally miscarrying?

iggypiggy · 27/04/2009 09:18

Twogirls1more Sorry about your MC

I bled for more than a week before MC - in total mine was 10 days bleeding before MC, then exactly 1 week after the MC. I was in theory 10 weeks - but baby was only 6 1/2 weeks in size.

I haven't actually had a scan - but I did do a pregnancy test last week - which was negative - so that was done about 5 days after bleeding stopped? Apparently you dodn't need a scan if you get a negative test, the bleeding has stopped and you have no more pain.

Guess everyone different tho. xx

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twogirls1more · 27/04/2009 10:27

Hi iggypiggy,

Thanks for advice. Have docs appt this Thurs so wait to see what she says I guess. What you say though sounds like gd common sense to me so will keep monitoring the bleeding

Getting very low period type pain at mo (for last two days)though this been mainly at night for some reason?

Do you know if it's safe to use tampons soon after MC? I guess wouldn't be gd idea in case of infection? xx

iggypiggy · 27/04/2009 10:37

I think you meant to not use tampons for the bleeding - I think you meant to keep with pads. I also read that you should avoid baths until bleeding stops - also to prevent infection.

I got pains right up until bleeding stopped. Sort of sore feelings too - rather than cramps..

Is totally rubbish - I hope the bleeding stops soon for you. Is good you have appointment - best to get medical advice if you worried xx

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twogirls1more · 27/04/2009 17:51

Hi again, Thanks for advice and sure you're right, (just sick of awful sanitary pads and feeling so tired!)
Sorry to hear of your situation too xx

canttouchthis · 27/04/2009 20:12

I had MC in March, was around 11wk pg. Had a few days brown spotting then very heavy bright red blood flowing a few days later. Very surreal experience I have to say..felt completely detached from myself, like this was happening to someone else and not me..I have come to terms with it now and I am really sorry for others who have had to endure this. I did go for the follow-up scan to make sure the womb was clear and have waited for 1st AF after the MC to arrive. Seeing it in black and white for me really brought closure to this awful situation I found myself in.

Take care.

twogirls1more · 29/04/2009 08:17

Hi again iggypiggy, funny, my MC seems to be following v similar pattern to yours. I have been ok but suddenly, (4/5 days after MC)am v tearful. I guess, like you said, must be hormone crash or something? Bleeding generally slackening off, though sometimes comes heavier when I'm rushing about.
Hope all ok with you. xx

iggypiggy · 29/04/2009 08:59

Well for me I felt lots better when bleeding stopped - 7 days after MC. Hopefully same for you xx

I am mainly ok - just bit of bad day yesterday as girl at work announced she PG - 2 days before I would have been announcing - so now have her to watch and remind me but it will be fine - if I can deal with that then I should be ok with anything else!

hugs from me xx

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twogirls1more · 29/04/2009 09:39

What is it with MC.. all of a sudden everyone seems to be pregnant!

Not sure if you said before but was this your 1st MC? Have you got any kids so far?

Have to say, as my 1st (and with any luck last?) MC is much more involved and complicated than I expected. I guess I'd never really looked into it before as I'd never had to.

MC hard for us all though I guess some would say I'm one of lucky ones as already have two great girls from previous marriage and two step kids.. Just be lovely to have the one with new husband. However, if not meant to be then not meant to be I guess.

Really hope it all works out for you. Are you trying again soon? Not sure wot to do about that. hugs back xx

iggypiggy · 29/04/2009 10:31

Is my first pregnancy and first MC - I too hope is my last.

Not sure about trying again - not really mentally, so going to wait until AF turns up - then see how I feel.

Hope it works out for you too - I don't think it matters when the MC is, if if you have kids before - I reckon it must always be hard.

xx

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twogirls1more · 29/04/2009 11:12

Well, something that's for sure is that you should feel both mentally and physically ready 2 try again as even if you achieve healthy pregnancy, as you know this comes with a catalogue of not such pleasant symptoms & hormone fluctuations! (though most def all worth it.)

I wanted to lose a stone b4 I fell anyway so think will concentrate on the gym 4 a while! I'm 36 now so if don't achieve healthy pregnancy in next yr or 2, think will give up as nvr saw myself as 40 something new mum, (though everyone different.)

Sure when you're ready, you'll go on to have wonderful & healthy pregnancy. xx

twogirls1more · 01/05/2009 07:21

Hi all,

Well, seem to have stopped bleeding (a wk after MC) and starting to feel back to normal at last! Saw doc yest who's quite happy with me and says as long as bleeding doesn't restart in the nxt wk I'll escape a D&C.

Lots of gd wishes going out to any of you currently going through the trauma.

Take care xx

iggypiggy · 01/05/2009 09:02

That sounds exactly the same as me!

Glad bleeding stopped - I felt alot better after that happened xx

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ganda · 04/05/2009 07:52

Hi! I lost my baby between 5th and 6th week. It felt bad that I got so disturbed by so little spotting that I needed to see a doctor right away. I never even considered to take bedrest until it comes to a halt. So worried and all, I went to the doctor ad get checked. After taking out doctor's gloved hand in an internal exam- it was bright red with blood. Doctor did not do anything. She just prescribed meds and sent me home. At home bleeding was menstrual-like which lasted 5 days. and Finally, it stopped.. I went back for transvaginal ultrasound.. Sonologist never said a word and According to my OB, we lost the baby.
I am filled with so many "what if's" and "what if not's" ooohhh! After almost 2 years of trying...
But I am still looking at the bright side that I never have to undergo so many expensive and painful fertility tests because I am capable...
I hope waiting time will not be a long agonizing wait... and I hope it works for all of us in God's perfect time!

ally99 · 24/05/2009 23:36

hi . i was supposed to be six an half weeks pregnant tomorrow. but i am now going through a mc. i firstly started with light spotting and now through to menstrul bleeding , this mornin i noticed som pregnancy tissue, is this the embryo,an will the bleeding stop after a few days now that the pregnancy has passed through.also i am experiencing som cramps and pains almost like contractions is this normal, and can anyone tell me if i still need to go to my scan this friday just to make sure, the reason being is that i hav had two mc before and both those times i hav never mc 'd naturally, always hav had d an c done. thanks.