Hello,
I'm new to this website. I'm 35, unmarried but in a very loving and happy relationship with my almost 40 year old boyfriend...although at that age I should really call him 'man'friend :)
Two weeks ago I found out we were pregnant with our first, much wanted and planned baby. It was very early to do a pregnancy test but I just 'had a feeling' and wanted to know... even though, I KNEW! Anyway, on the Wednesday 20th I found out I was pregnant.... as it was so early my boyfriend and I just told our closest, immediate family. Fast forward to the following Tuesday, whilst out for lunch with my sister and twin I felt what I can only describe as 'beginning my period', TMI but it felt like a glob had come out.... I told them I had to go to the loo and to my horror discovered two large circular spots of blood, and because I didn't want to lose what tiny thing there was down the public loo, I put lots of paper towel in me and my Mum and sister knew by me asking to leave that I feared the worst.
When I got home, the paper had filled and soaked through to my jeans... there was no clotting but there was I'd say a good 'soaking'. Devastated that this could only mean one thing we contacted a local birthing centre who told us to wait 12 hours and if there was no more bleeding to see a doctor but if I had cramping and heavy bleeding to expect the worst.
12 hours later, no more bleeding, so I made an app with my GP.... they saw me first thing in the morning, and still 50/50 what was going on I was pragmatic with the GP. She was young, but that shouldn't make any difference. When I filled her in on everything she said she would have a look at protocol and I spent the next minute in silence whilst she scrolled through pages on her computer.... eventually she said she couldn't do a test or take bloods as I'd most likely still show high hormones/pregnancy... so she told me to go on to the bed so she could take a look. Explaining that if the neck of the womb was open it was unfortunate but most likely I'd miscarried.... I told her as I was getting undressed that I'd had a few colposcopies and exploratory things over the years due to dodgy smears... anyway - silence as I was clamped open, and then she apologised as she said she needed to go deeper to look further.... then quickly she pulled out and said, "Yes, I'm afraid the neck of the womb is open so the pregnancy isn't viable and as such I'm afraid you've miscarried" she told me all the facts in a haze 1 in 4 pregnancies, it was early etc etc, and then said that I should expect heavy bleeding and cramps (and how I'd 'just know' when it would begin) how I should take a pregnancy test in three weeks, and if still pregnant to come back. I was heartbroken but trying to keep it together. I got home and crumbled.
Hours went by, hours turned to days, and still no bleeding. It had got to the point where I NEEDED closure and an end to it, so I called the INCREDIBLE Tommys line, I spoke to an incredible midwife who showed such kindness, compassion and advice.... she did say that she was surprised I'd not been referred for a scan, and that three weeks is a long time to wait to do a test.... she also said, without wanting to give hope that the reason for a scan is not only to double check but also to rule out ectopic (which does run in my family!) The next day I called a local EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit) to find out what I needed to do for a scan for closure, and discuss a D&C or pill to get things moving, to expel everything for closure.
They told me I had to be referred by docs, so I called up the GPs and told them I wanted to be referred, I was told it had to be the doc that saw me and she wasn't back until Monday but they'd pass on the message. A whole weekend still no bleeding... so first thing Monday I called GPs up to check they could look at it asap, and was told that doctor was infact off all week. They understood my anguish and passed the message on to another doctor who later on that day called me went through everything and told me she'd organised a scan for two days. BOOM!!
Finally I could have some closure, clear out and then hopefully start trying again in a month or so. Once there I became SO nervous, sad that I was there at a scan knowing they'd find nothing or some remnants of it, to my shock after some small talk with the sonographer, during an internal scan, she said "well I don't know why you were told what you were told, but I see a baby in here with a very strong and fast heartbeat" I put my hands on my head and shocked said "SERIOUSLY!?" she turned the monitor to face me and with her finger pointed at the yolk sack, the baby and the incredibly fast moving heart beat!? I couldn't believe it. I just believed the GP.
Happiness continued and I asked her lots of questions that she answered, confusion then set in, I asked her how the GP could have said what she did, she asked me to cough and said "no, I was just asking you to cough for me to check what she'd said, and I see no problem" she added that she just wanted to make sure so would ask a doctor to speak with me and potentially do an exam. I was of course welcome to this. I had to wait an hour as the doc was called to theatre, but I didn't care! I just sat staring at the photo of my little sweat pea sized baby!!
An hour later, I met with a lovely doctor who said she didn't need to examine me as she was happy with the scans and had no concerns, but she wanted to take the time for me to ask her questions, so I mentioned the GP saying about the neck of my womb. And here is the MAIN THING to my miracle story... what I want to pass on to women who bleed early and are told the neck of the womb is open.....
The doctor said, that because I'd had colposcopies, exploratory things and biopsies taken over the years that often they take the biopsies around this area and often it can give off the appearance as the neck of the womb being open!!
I don't want to give false hope to people having early miscarriages, and it's still early days for me and my sweatpea, BUT if you're doctor doesn't refer you, if your body is telling you something that you want looked at, if you're not continuing with heavy bleeds and you see a GP.... TELL THEM if you've had colposcopies in the past. This could mean avoiding a misdiagnosis like I had.
In my case, I have my doubts, I think my GP still wouldn't have referred me... but the fact I pushed because I just wanted closure for me, and I've had THE best surprise.... for however long my sweatpea stays happy and safe in there, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS and PUSH for answers!!