I had the same thing happen earlier this year - at almost 8 weeks. Started spotting which built up to heavy bleeding a few days later (sorry if this post is tmi). I was really upset leading up to the first scan as I had a feeling it wasn't going to be good news and my pregnancy were hormones all over the place. This was my first pregnancy and so didn't know what to expect.
The scan revealed an empty sac which was pretty devastating. I then had blood results a couple of days after which confirmed drop in hormone levels. I started to feel a bit better psychologically as at least I knew I was having a miscarriage, rather than uncertainty.
I had some bleeding for a few days, then three days of very heavy bleeding. I was still going to work and unfortunately had an incident in work after rushing to the bathroom with blood ending up soaking through to my clothes and had to go home. I felt a bit in shock after this. I went for another scan as convinced that this must be the worst of it over, but they said the empty sac was still there.
I took 2 weeks off work and doctor signed me off as I wanted to wait and see if the sac passed naturally. I asked if I could take a photo of the scan print on my phone as I was interested in what was going on. The first scan measured 36.5mm / 33.5mm. I found that over the next few weeks there were different scanning people every time and they don't really volunteer information unless you ask specifically.
I spotted on an off over the weeks, and some times of cramping, especially after exercise. There were a couple of times when I thought this must be it now, but it wasn't. I couldn't go on holidays or away for weekends for fear of bleeding and the passing the sac away from home.
I wanted to have a natural miscarriage, but every time I went back for a scan, the nurses were trying to persuade me to have a D&C or the tablets in hospital. Although the nurses were nice to begin with, I started to feel bullied after a few weeks as they kept saying that I could get an infection and that it was time to get things moving now as it wasn't coming out on its own. However, I pointed out that research says that you are just as likely to get an infection from an operation as a natural miscarriage so no extra risk. Also, the NHS leaflet says that you can opt to have a natural miscarriage for as long as you want to - there is no time limit.
I saw the consultant and he said that all they know is that the sac will come out eventually - but they don't know when!
So I went back for several scans over the next 10 weeks. Each time they said that the sac was still there and I was really disappointed. Then I started asking about the measurements again and I wrote it down. After 7 weeks the size had reduced to 28mm. Then 23mm at 8 weeks. I knew it most be breaking down as I was passing clots. However, the scanning people and nurses kept saying that the scanning equipment might not be measuring it accurately and they still wanted me to book in for D&C etc. I actually gave up having scans after this as I was so fed up with their attitude. I did a pregnancy home test at around 8 weeks and it said negative.
After another 2 weeks after the negative pregnancy test, I had really bad cramps while out in the early afternoon. I came home and went to bed. I then had waves of extreme pain, I felt like I was kind of in a trance and had lots of what felt like contractions. It took about an hour to push the sac out in the bathroom. I couldn't see it when it came out. Afterwards I felt immediately much better and I knew that was the end of it.
I phoned the hospital the next day to ask for a scan as I wanted to check it had gone and they said you can't come back as you missed your last scan and you've done a pregnancy test which says negative. I explained I had done this test 2 weeks ago and I needed to check! So they reluctantly booked me an appointment with the consultant and he confirmed that it had all gone - I was massively relieved!
Also whilst waiting for the natural miscarriage I had gone to an homeopathy, but not taken the remedy. I went to acupuncture. Talking with the lady helped me the most as she gave me faith that the body can heal itself and said what did people do hundreds of years ago? I also looked online and shopping and bought High doses of natural vitamen C (1000mg), raspberry leaf tea and Dong Quai. I also did some reading of Louise Hay and did meditation. I don't know to what extent these things helped, but I felt better knowing I was taking action.
I am pleased I followed through the natural miscarriage, even though it took 10 weeks, but it felt right for me. I was struggling to find anyone who had been through this, so thought I would share everything for other people who are in the same situation. It is not an easy route though. I had to carry spare clothes with me all the time in work and was afraid to use public transport.
It is not an easy experience and I wish anyone well who is going through this. Just be kind to your body and know you will make the right decision.
I am now pregnant again so hoping that this one is a goodun. I started trying again straight afterwards as it felt right. I had one period 25 days after the miscarriage so my cycle went back to normal straight away. I'm not sure that this is always the case with D&C. I got pregnant after the first period and you are supposed to be more fertile after a miscarriage. I'm in my thirties, but I'm not sure it makes a massive difference as loads of younger people go through this as well!
Sending lots of love x x x