1 in 4 and at least you know you can get pregnant!!

[MamaPower]

I miscarried (my first) just under 2 weeks and I am just seeking your advice/experience to 2 queries:

1. 1 in 4 - I was discharged from hospital with an incomplete miscarriage and chose to try and complete the mc naturally. The process appears to be working and the EPAU Nurse is happy that my hormone levels dropped quite quickly. However, I am still bleeding (almost 2 weeks later) very heavily and just wondered of those that went through the 'natural' process how long and how heavy the bleeding lasted?

2. Getting pregnant, again! Quite simply have any of you received any specific advice about when to start TTC again? I was told to wait for at least one period but have read elsewhere that some have been advised to just get right back at it!!

Thanks for any advice x

I'm very sorry for your loss. And I hope the bleeding stops soon. I do think though with two weeks of heavy bleeding it may be time to go see your GP for advice.

I'm not sure what you mean by 1 in 4 - you mean risk of mc is 1 in 4? Yes I was told the same with my first mc and I do know lots of people who have had one mc then have healthy pregnancies.

TBH knowing what I know now I would for the first full cycle before ttc again. Particularly as you're still bleeding. So after your next period. I completely understand the way you are probably feeling and after my first mc all I wanted to do was get pregnant again as soon as possible. But you're perhaps better off giving yourself a month to physically recover.

Good luck whatever you decide.

so sorry for your loss i had a mc a year ago and my bleeding was for around 5 weeks. it was heavy some days then light. as regards to getting pregnant again i think it depends on the individual whether you feel emotionally ready.

I'm sorry you miscarried. I've had two miscarriages and there's not explanation that helps - quite honestly. I bled for four weeks with the first and two weeks with the second.

I got pregnant within a month of each miscarriage and my son and daughter are the results! You don't have to wait on a physical level, on an emotional level, whenever you feel ready.

Hi MamaPower. I'm sorry you're going through an MC, and I hope you won't have to go through it again.

In answer to your queries:

1. my first MC, at 7 weeks, was "natural" - I bled heavily, with extremely painful cramps, for a week, then it cleared up and I had a normal period a month later. I don't know how normal this is, but at the hospital they had told me I might bleed for up to a couple of weeks, so I remember being surprised that everything was over after only one.

With my second MC, though, I had to have an ERPC (anembryonic pregnancy) at 10 weeks, and my first period after that lasted for three weeks, with appalling bleeding and pain. It subsequently turned out that the ERPC wasn't done properly, and I had to have it done again. Based on my experience all I can tell you is that to be bleeding heavily after two weeks doesn't seem good to me, and if I were in your position I'd go back and ask for a scan to establish whether everything has been cleared out. If it hasn't, then you might need an ERPC. The NHS, though, is very good at fobbing you off when you've had an MC, so if you feel that something is wrong, when doctors and nurses are telling you that there's not, then persevere and get a second opinion. You know your body better than anyone.

2. The best time to start psychologically is whenever you are ready, but physically it's best to wait until you've had your first proper period after the MC.

Good luck

Hi all,

Thank you so much, it has put my mind at rest and it does seem there is a lot of variation from woman to woman in how heavy and long the bleeding lasts, think I'll give it until Monday and then head back to the GP, for my own peace of mind.

With regards to TTC, I was hoping for a long shot as my DH works overseas (I know, he was allowed home for one day and night when I had the mc), but I hope to see him end of June/July for a few days (fingers crossed)...I'll just let nature take its course and if I've had a period by then, we'll just give it a shot otherwise we'll have to wait for his return in October and perhaps that'll be for the best.

Incidentally, ttalloo you are right about the NHS fobbing you off after an mc...my GP upon request of being signed off from work asked 'why?' The GP in question was male but please!

Thanks again for sharing all your experiences and advice with me x

Mamapower so sorry you are going through this.

I had a female doctor at the EPU ask me why I wanted to be signed off with my MMC as I wasnt bleeding or in any physical pain!

Hi Mamapower, I recognise your name from the Jan '11 thread and sadly this week I am joining you here having ended up in A&E last night with crippling pain and bleeding - thankfully they were lovely there and I was well cared for but it's still awful. I hope you're feeling better soon.

I've got to go and see the gynae people on Thursday for an internal poke around and US (SO looking forward to that) so I will ask them too how long the bleeding lasts.

saffronbun I am so sorry to hear that...It is a terrible physical and emotional pain but I am now two weeks down the line and it does get easier.
I ended up back in hospital today as I and the the staff were concerned about how heavy I was bleeding, after being jabbed with needles, handing over the obligatory urine sample, giving blood, being pulled, prodded and poked, it turned out that the change in hormones had caused two polyps to appear on my cervix... a minor tug with a pair of surgical forcebs and two polyps later, the bleeding has almost stopped!!
Take good care of yourself and if you want to talk...anytime, in the meantime, big hugs x