Pregnant after Blighted Ovum

[Anne1987]

Good Afternoon all,

At the end of Sept last year, I found out I had a blighted ovum at 11 weeks 5 days, which was a huge shock. We took some time out and tried again this month and we are delighted that we have fallen pregnant again.

A positive has been showing for a week (so from 3 weeks on the dot). I have tested every couple of days since then and it has become progressively darker and today it is VERY dark.

I want to feel happy, but I am full of dread. Has anyone else been in this situation? Will the EPAU let me scan earlier?

Any help/advice would be greatly received :)

Hello,
Congratulations!
I had a blighted ovum discovered at 12 week scan in December 2019, was a total shock and something I had never heard of before! Took some time off trying again till may 2020 and fell pregnant straight away. NHS don't routinely give additional scans after one loss, so I paid for a private scan at 8 weeks, just to check all was as expected!
It wasn't an easy pregnancy, I was constantly worrying, and did have a couple of bleeds (which were from cervical erosion) so I did feel like I was always on edge and very anxious throughout! I did trying breathing techniques to keep calm when feeling extra anxious.
My baby is now 10 weeks old and 1000% worth all the worry!
Hope that it all goes well for you in this pregnancy!!

Hi OP, congrats on your new pregnancy! I'm in a similar boat, I found out I had blighted ovum just before Christmas 2020 and I'm now 7 weeks pregnant.

Our EPU doesn't offer routine early scans either following MC unless there have been 3 consecutive losses. I think this can vary between trusts though, I know some London trusts will do reassurance scans. We've booked a private scan for next Thursday when I'll be 8+2. A big difference for me this pregnancy is much higher levels of all day nausea which is pretty horrible but perhaps a more positive sign. Who knows. I'm finding lots of fresh air and daily walks helpful to clear my head and reduce the nausea for about 5 minutes. Taking things a day at a time and trying not to think too far ahead helps too. But it's not been easy.

In all honesty, I don't feel very connected to this pregnancy yet and I'm fairly sure it's my brain protecting me and that's ok. I told a friend and she was very excited for me and it felt quite strange... she said she would feel my excitement until I know if things are going ok. I think it's just a reality of experiencing previous loss. Just like PP, most people go on to have successful pregnancies following blighted ovum (congrats PP!). The way I look at it now is that every pregnancy is a game of chance and we're just more aware of the odds!

Wishing you lots of luck with your new journey and hope for a positive outcome for you! 🙏

@shopaholic29 - thank you so much for your response, it is really helpful to hear your story, your happy ending and your kind words. We are yet to have a child and we have everything crossed. I guess, its all mapped out for us - nothing we can do but look after ourselves and get some reassurance if possible (I will be sure to go privately if needed).

@seasalt1984 thank you so much. It seems like we are going through similar experiences, albeit you are further ahead. I think I will be reassured if I start to feel nauseous this time - I didn't feel that bad last time (think it's a good sign).

I agree, it is a self protection. I wish you all the best, please do let us know how you get on :)

@RoxanneMonke Thank you for sharing your story, it is reassuring to know that there is positive outcomes. I am still very early days, but talking to you all has made me feel alot more comfortable and take it a day at a time.

Congratulations :) You are very unlikely to get an early scan on the NHS after one miscarriage so I would look at a private scan.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate - thank you :) Yes, I will book one for Week 7/8.

Hope it goes well @Anne1987. The reason the NHS won't scan is because it's very likely this pregnancy will go well.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate thanks so much. I will take a day at a time and hope for the best. You have all been very helpful.

I phoned the CMW and they said they only scan after two MCs. So unless there is bleeding, pain or sudden loss of symptoms - they won't do it.

I have contacted the private hospital and enquired about prices.

I feel better today, so thank you everyone. Hopefully I will share some good news in the coming months. For those of you who are also on this journey, I really hope it goes well for you too.

That's generous, normally they do not scan until you had 3 MCs in a row (I'm a recurrent miscarriage patient).

My last MC was a blighted ovum MMC. FWIW, blighted ovum has no impact on your ability to have a successful pregnancy afterwards. It's just that sometimes unfortunately things go wrong and the fertilised egg doesn't develop, despite the fact you may or may not have had pregnancy symptoms. It's a cruel one, but to me personally felt better than seeing my baby with no hb which I've also been through. Every MC is hard though.

I am now 24.5 weeks pregnant with my little boy, I understand your anxiety. I hope it goes quickly for you and that you will be able to relax a bit soon. Xx

@PurplePansy05 thank you for your reply, it has given me some comfort. I know what you mean, the way I coped with the blighted ovum was to see it as it never really lived, rather than it died. I am sorry to hear you have had to go through so much heartache but so pleased you are doing so well with your little boy. Take care and all the best x

I had a blighted ovum in November 2019 and then fell pregnant again in Feb 2020.

I’m in Australia so bit of a different system but I had private scans at 7 and 10 weeks just to make sure everything was ok. The blighted ovum was my second miscarriage and I was a bit anxious.

My pregnancy went really smoothly and I’m currently rocking my 5 month old to sleep sending positive vibes to you

@Montii thank you for your message. It really helps hearing positive stories and reassuring that my concerns are natural and common. I will get a couple of private scans to allow me to reassure/inform me earlier on. Thanks again x

Congratulations @Anne1987 on your new pregnancy! I know the anxiety you’re feeling. I had a blighted ovum last month and had surgical management for it at 10 was. An early private scan had told us there was an issue. I haven’t had a period yet since the d and c but got a BFP on Thursday and I am just terrified. I have been lucky in some ways as because I haven’t had a period since the surgery I phoned the EPU and told them I had a faint positive test and they brought me in for bloods twice which have showed the hcg levels have doubled. I’m terrified as I have no symptoms at all and am just so scared this will end like the last one. I’m back in for bloods 7 days after my last lot and they’ve said they will offer me a scan if levels are still looking good.
I have also heard anecdotally of
Women being referred to EPU by their GP if they are experiencing very high anxiety around viability of a new pregnancy following miscarriage. I think it would depend on how sympathetic your gp was and how bad your anxiety gets. I really hope everything progresses well for you and that you get the reassurance you need. I will be booking a private viability scan for 8 weeks if I get that far.

@Makingnumber2 thank you for your response and congratulations to you too! I am glad the EPU are giving you that level of care, as I am sure that offers you reassurance. I think we probably around the same dates - I am only 4 plus 2. I have no symptoms accept some breast pain- but many people say the stronger symptoms start week 5-6. I really wish you the best and hope that in a months time we are both sharing happy news :)

Hi congratulations. It will be completely normal that this pregnancy will be a very anxious wait. I am sitting here with my tiny baby after 2 mc. I worried pretty much all the way till closer to 40 weeks.

Take each week as they come. I used to start with 2 week intervals until 12 weeks. So if we get to 8 weeks that will be great, then 10 weeks etc. Then I looked forward to 4 weeks.

I booked a private scan for 8 weeks to help me as that is when I lost by last two babies.

Once I got to + 20 weeks definitely easier - once those kicks start!

I hope so too! Will be keeping everything crossed we both get our 🌈 babies x

@welshladywhois40 thank you so much for you advice, I will take it one step at a time. Congratulations on the birth of you baby, I am so happy to see it all worked out for you X

@Makingnumber2 me too. Take care :)

So today I started to have brown discharge and some pain in my tummy. Thankfully my Dr referred me to the EPAU for a scan on Friday (will be six weeks). I am feeling quite scared and concerned it could be ectopic. Anyone had any experience of this?

Spotting is very common in early pregnancy and brown blood means old blood. How bad is the pain? I always thought ectopic the pain would be very bad and not easily controlled with paracetomal. And I think with ectopic pain is not just in tummy but also in shoulder tip too. Glad you've got EPU appointment coming up but if pain gets worse then call doc/EPU/go to A and E.

Thanks @Makingnumber2. That has reassured me,as the pain is bareable and no shoulder pain. I think its just very hard to not worry. This time in three days, I will know. I just need to hang in there I guess x

Yes just hang in there- I know how nervewracking it is. A friend shared this website with me to help me focus on the stats of NOT miscarrying again rather than constantly focusing on chances of having another miscarriage: datayze.com/miscarriage-reassurer
I have EPU appointment Thurs for bloods and scan to check if my pregnancy is looking viable or not. Am counting the hours practically!x