8.5 weeks pregnant - heavy bleeding

[EveHen]

So tonight I started with period red blood after mild discomfort in the after , now have passed a couple of pads worth of blood and some clots (palm sized) along with cramping. It seems to have reduced in the past hour. I am planning on phoning GP in the morning. Just after advice on what to expect - will I get a scan? How long will it last? Any experiences if miscarriage at this stage? I am in the UK. Thanks

Sorry you are going through this

Thank you. It's so confusing and I don't know what to expect and there isn't any info. Especially with covid situation!

Sorry not to have any advice for you but I didn't want to ignore your post.

Thanks Avril - I guess not many people online at this hour! I appreciate your concern x

Hopefully somebody who can help will be along soon. Do you have anybody with you ?

So sorry it does sounds like you’re having a miscarriage. Take paracetamol and plenty of rest. They don’t usually see you or scan unless there’s an infection etc. They usually tell you to stay home

So sorry, it does sound like a miscarriage. Just take it easy and rest. It happened to me too - it was quite painful, but manageable with paracetamol. I still went to see my GP just to make sure I was Ok after a few days. Big hugs.

So sorry you are going through this. I've had 2. 11weeks and 7 weeks. Remember, that there is nothing you have done that could have caused this. Majority of MC is from a genetic issue, and again, its not your fault or anything you can prevent. Sadly, between 1/3 and 1/4 pregnancies end in MC. Some people do have a bleed during pregnancy and all is ok.

Sorry of TMI- if you still have the clots, do you have a sterile, urine type pot to collect it in? My early pregnancy unit took it for testing. They wouldn't do genetic tests (despite my 1st pregnancy being a result of a known genetic disorder) but they did sent it off for basic testing. I found out that there was a foetus there and it wasn't a molar pregnancy.

As the other poster said, take some paracetamol. A hot water bottle can help if still achy. I wouldn't recommend a bath. If it is a MC, you shouldnt have a bath till the bleeding has completely stopped for at least 2 days, to reduce the risk of infection. Also, only use pads, not tampons for the same reason.

Feel free to ask anything at all- I'm here
Here are some links which might be helpful x

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/baby-loss/miscarriage/support-after-miscarriage

www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

So sorry
I just wanted to add that pain isn't inevitable.
I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks and had no pain at all.
Thinking of you

I second the use of pads. Keep them in the fridge as they can be weighed to measure the amount of blood loss you have.

I don't want to scaremonger but in the worst case scenario, all information is useful.

@TheSandgroper- Out of interest, why keep pads in the fridge? It makes no difference where they are kept if need to weight them before and after use! Even when working on a gynae ward, we used to just complete a PV chart visually and never weighed pads pre-post use. Possible in ITU or for a severe haemorrhage or on a paeds ward for nappies, but have never heard of advising someone to weigh their pads at home.

Because op is at home and not in a hospital ward. If she keeps them for a few hours just on a bench top for 24-49 hours, they will start to smell pretty awful like any other meat product not kept refrigerated.

Advising keeping them is in Case she needs to go to a hospital. Like I said, I don’t want to scaremonger but I get scared for women when they aren’t listened to. One example www.propublica.org/series/lost-mothers.

Hope you are ok OP. I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks at the beginning of this year. the worst of the bleeding was over within 2 days - I spent most of that time in bed with a hot water bottle. After that, it was just like a period. I had a scan booked anyway for 2 days after mine started so I went just to confirm it was all out and no retained products, which it was. However no real need to be seen unless you are bleeding extremely heavily. Rest up and take care of yourself x

P.S. re “extremely heavily” - EPU told me this means soaking more than 2 pads an hour, for 2 hours in a row.

Thanks everyone, all info is very helpful. I am surprised that a scan isn't more common after this - but good to know what to expect.

Bleeding seems to have slowed since about 2 am. Still sore though!

Morning OP, have you tried doing another pregnancy test to see if it's still positive?

Sorry you're having to go through this.

No I haven't tried a test. When would be the best time? Should I wait a couple of days?

A test wouldn’t turn negative for at least 2-3 weeks following a miscarriage so that is pointless I’m afraid.

I have had three miscarriages although only one spontaneous (two were missed miscarriages so had to be induced). It started with light pink mucus then developed into bright red bleeding, took a few hours to turn into clots and cramping. It only lasted a day in total, I was fine again the following day. It is manageable at home with ibuprofen and given the current climate not worth a trip to A&E unless you’re concerned the bleeding is too heavy (soaking through a pad in an hour).

@TheSandgroper- I misunderstood, and thought you meant OP should keep her unused, clean pads in the fridge before use!

TMI- but as I said earlier, I collected the products in a sterile specimen jar. I kept it overnight in the fridge, and took to EGU for analysis the following day.

Depending on the area, some places let you self-refer to your local EPU/EGU, so worth checking with them. My local area required GP to referral though.

Yes, you should do another pregnancy test, but generally not for 2 weeks. The hormones will still be present, so its a waste of a test doing it so soon.

I hope your cramps are easing OP. Sending hugs

Sp I've spoken to GP who have referred me to early pregnancy unit. I'm awaiting a call from them. Bleeding now like constant heavy (for me - usually I'm light) period with cramps. Not soaking pads so I'm not worried about excessive blood loss at this stage. It is a painful and emotional waiting game!

Sorry you are going through this. I'd just emphasise the need to monitor the bleeding. When I had a miscarriage a few months ago my bleeding suddenly worsened and it ended up an emergency situation. I was going through a small pad every few mins, but if it feels at all heavy it hard to manage, dont delay getting help

Update - booked in for a scan tomorrow morning. At least it will confirm things

That's good.

Best of luck for tomorrow.

OP will you be able to bring someone wi you?