Possible miscarriage. What to do?

[Houserenoqueen]

I think I am miscarrying. Period like bleeding and I’m 7 weeks. I haven’t been through this before so don’t know what to do. Should I have a private scan to confirm? I’ve seen people talk about EPU scans but not sure where to start. Just googled the EPU at my local hospital and it’s appointment only and you need a referral.
Please help.

Go to A and E if you think you’re having a miscarriage, that’s the advice I was given by my doctor. Assuming you’re UK-based you could also try calling NHS 111 for advice. Really hope you’re okay x

I called my gp to get a referral to epu which took a week, I went to A&E previous to that in another early pregnancy and it was no quicker because they didn't do scans there and just gave me an epu appointment 5 days away. There usually isn't any real urgency though which is why they do this, they give it a few days to see what happens and then scan to see what's going on.

Thank you, I feel so much less alone. I can’t easily go anywhere because I have 2 toddlers and DH has to go to the office today. I know it’s not seen as an emergency normally but I guess the not knowing is not great. I might chance it and call the EPU this morning and see if they will see me...

Sorry you're going through this.
If the bleeding is manageable then I would contact Gp today to get referred to EPU to check it has completed- they'll probably scan you in few days. If bleeding becomes really heavy then 111 or A&E. (I had to go in via ambulance with 1 mc after complications after taking misoprostol).
Sorry this is happening to you, it is a total shit experience.

Thank you @Jeds55

It is a shit experience isn’t it. I feel super guilty because we’d been discussing whether we could cope with another baby (plus the two little ones we have). I was firmly in the yes camp now and DH needed convincing. Now I feel totally gutted.

I had bleeding at 7 weeks and midwife told me to just wait and see but GP referred me to epu later that day so I’d call your GP.
I hope everything is ok for you

@Wjevtvha thanks. Did everything work out ok for you?

It did; they never knew why I had the bleed but after that it was a straight forward pregnancy and DS arrived safely, I hope it’s the same for you

Urg so I can’t get through to my GP. Have been caller no1 for 39 mins. Can’t go to EPU without a GP referral and none of the walk in EPUs are open due to covid.
I phoned the EPU and they are booked until mid next week, and that’s assuming they get the GP referral today.
Am wondering whether to pay for a private scan, but then think what’s the point. Still heavy bleeding and period like pain so it seems inevitable. Arg!

You can also call 111. I called them for one of mine and they arranged an urgent within 2 hour appointment with my GP. The GP then contacted the EPU and sent me for a scan.

Sorry you're going through this

Do you have a midwife team yet? I called my midwife when I was bleeding at ten weeks and got a EPU scan the next day. Wishing you al the best x

So sorry you're going through this. 111 is definitely a good shout, when I rang them right in the middle of the first lockdown I was put through to my local EPU to speak to somebody on the phone.

In my case they said they were fairly sure it was a miscarriage and so wouldn't scan me, but I hope you can get some more help than that. It's horrible not being sure what's going on.

Finally spoke to the GP and she’s doing the referral. Will be next week at some point.
I feel in a weird state of limbo, I’ve had two pregnancies before so kind of took for granted that everything would be ok.
@cumulonimbus523 did you need any further interventions? I guess that is my worry. And it bloody hurts already! I’d quite like a glass of wine to drown my sorrows.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I don’t know what I expected in terms of support from DH but he’s still working and is off for his covid jab tonight. I’m trying to look after 2 one year olds (nanny on hols) and struggling. Do people normally carry on as normal whilst miscarrying?

@Houserenoqueen you poor thing, what an awful, stressful situation you're in! My story there is a bit of an outlier because the hormones ended up staying in my body for months after, but because they didn't scan me in the first place to confirm if I'd miscarried I had to go in to the EPU when my tests still came back positive 3 weeks later, and then be repeatedly scanned and have blood tests for about two months (got diagnosed officially as a PUL, though they were fairly sure nothing dangerous).

I'm guessing everyone's experience is different but for me the bleeding and pain gradually got heavier until "it" happened and then slowly faded away after that, though I continued to bleed for a few weeks after. I definitely couldn't carry on as normal and needed to lie down for the worst 3-4 hours. If there is any way at all you can get some rest I would recommend it. Take care of yourself.

@Houserenoqueen I definitely did not carry on as normal. I took about 2 weeks off work each time. I didn't have any children to look after so can't comment on that, but don't feel rushed to 'get back to normal'. Having a miscarriage does change how normal feels x

I was off work for a month after my Mc. It affects everyone very differently. You do what’s right for you.
I’m very sorry for what your going through right now, I also had to wait nearly a week to be seen by EPU, I was still bleeding at this point and I knew there was no chance of a successful pregnancy xxx

I carried on as normal but had 2 small dc to mind and am self employed so no choice, but I didn't mind tbh, I just wanted to feel normal again and move past it.