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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

4 weeks post mc, very confused about hormones

6 replies

loopdeloo · 15/08/2017 15:50

Wondering if anyone with a bit of knowledge could help me understand what happens with hormones post mc as I'm pretty clueless.

I am 4 weeks post mc (at 6 weeks). Since the mc I've taken two pregnancy tests - one at 3 weeks and one today at 4 weeks, both positive. Today I feel a bit crampy... and just feel so confused. Can I get O pain or imminent AF cramp when still testing positive? After previous mcs AF has returned pretty much exactly on time - which would have been 3 days ago - but my HCG levels at point of mc were lower than they were this time.

Of course in my dreamworld it is because I'm pregnant, but I had an internal scan a week ago and the only thing the guy mentioned was that my uterus lining was thin so I know this is not possible (and said that made sense post mc).

I just am so confused about what can and cannot happen in the few weeks post mc with HCG levels still fairly strong (blood test showed 400 at 3 weeks post mc, the one I took today was just a home urine test that said pregnant/not pregnant but used SMU rather than FMU).

Can I be about to ovulate or get AF or is this just going to turn out to be some form of typical post mc cramp that I've not experienced previously as AF has returned sooner?

Any insight gratefully received!

OP posts:
emvy · 15/08/2017 17:48

According to the midwife I spoke to after my last mc, it's perfectly possible for you to ovulate with a positive pregnancy test post mc. I'm not sure about af though. I didn't get my af until I was getting negative home pregnancy tests. With my first mc (mmc and surgery), I didn't get a negative until 4 weeks after and then a few days later af arrived. So I guess it's perfectly possible that af is on its way, or you could be ovulating and that's what the cramps are. It's difficult to tell really but I was told to contact the epu if I was still getting a positive 3 weeks post surgery. However, as you had a blood test at 3 weeks and the scan didn't show anything, they must be confident things are sorting themselves out. Plus, the gradually decreasing hcg levels and increasingly more negative home pregnancy tests show you're moving in the right direction. I know it's a long waiting game sometimes and it really sucks! I'm really sorry x

Original poster
loopdeloo · 15/08/2017 18:17

Thank you so much for your response - I really appreciate it as medical staff I've had contact with have been not very helpful in the past week or so (I know they are busy and see this all the time). If it's not gutting enough having an mc, this one seems to be really stringing out a bit in terms of hormone levels (though very fortunate in that the actual mc itself was again just like a heavy period and the bleeding not as drawn out or painful as some of my friends). Trying not to get too downhearted but the reason I had internal scan and blood test is I'm about to start IVF and was hoping to have time for one last shot at a natural pregnancy that would stick but think I'm probably best to get over that idea and just try to stay sane.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
emvy · 15/08/2017 18:45

I'm sorry medical professionals haven't been very helpful - support does seem very hit and miss after a mc! Give it another few days and I'd say you'd be there on the negative test front, so it shouldn't be too much longer. All the best to you, with whatever you decide to do xx

calimommy · 16/08/2017 14:25

It can take a few weeks for the hormones to leave your system. I had a MC at 9 weeks but it had stopped growing around 5/6 weeks and it took 2 weeks to get a negative. Then I had a MC at 10 weeks but baby was 10weeks in growth and that took 8 weeks to give a negative. I was only testing so I would have an idea when my cycles might start again.
Your probably not pregnant especially if the scan showed a thin lining. Your cycles will come back soon enough though. Xxx

Original poster
loopdeloo · 16/08/2017 15:05

Thanks, it's really helpful to hear how long other people were still testing positive for. Luckily I didn't have any expectations about being pregnant again so quickly, even before having that scan a week ago, so at least have not allowed myself to go down that path mentally other than fantasy daydream (like spending my imaginary lottery winnings when I've never even bought a single lottery ticket!) just was hoping to get back ovulating again in time to give it another go naturally but wasn't sure if ovulation was even possible whilst still testing positive.

But really, I guess I should just focus on chilling out and keeping stress levels down... and it's the first time in quite a while that DH and I have enjoyed a good few weeks of non-ttc sex and now feels like we really needed that break from the pressure to be honest.

OP posts:
calimommy · 16/08/2017 21:37

Oh TTC sex is the worst. It's like "are you there yet? You have to get there." And mentally you think sex the rest of the month is kinda a waste of time 😂

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