Is waiting until 13 weeks with a MMC dangerous?

[LittleRobins]

I had a scan at 7 weeks showing a viable pregnancy and was given cyclogest due to bleeding. A week later all my symptoms disappeared. I was previously very nauseous with food aversions and exhausted, as I was when I had a successful pregnancy. This pregnancy has follow the pattern exactly of when I had a MMC so whilst I’m hoping baby’s okay, I’m also guessing it’s not.

I’m aware that as I’ve had no further bleeding I won’t be scanned again, with the next one scheduled for when I should be 13 weeks. If I did lose my baby at 8 weeks is it dangerous to wait until I’m 13 weeks along? I’m curious as to whether there is a risk of infection? I’d rather not have a private scan.

Sorry you're potentially going through this OP, I understand it must be a very worrisome time for you.

Some women go weeks and weeks before they find out, or even choose to wait a few weeks more after finding out to allow their bodies to recognise the pregnancy isn't viable and pass the pregnancy on it's own.

I'm not medically qualified in any way but I have had two miscarriages (both of which I chose expectant management) and I did also contract sepsis via labour with my son, so from my personal understanding of it all, infection is more likely to happen when a miscarriage is incomplete. So that's when you have started to miscarry (bleed and pass the pregnancy) but your body has retained some of the pregnancy.

If you are genuinely concerned though that you are having another mmc, despite not having bleeding, it's always worth asking your midwife / Dr for a referral to the EPU. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and refer you for peace of mind. I hope everything works out for you x

Many women only have 12 week scan and that’s when they find out about MMC so I don’t think there’s a problem waiting.

However it is very common for symptoms to come and go during the first trimester. As hard as it is I would try to think positively here as it is just as likely to be successful as not.

Sorry to hear about your previous MMC, and really hoping everything goes fine for you now 🙏

In terms of risk, I found out at 12 week scan I’d had a MMC at 8+5, then took a good few weeks until I had any treatment due to needing an NHS scan to confirm the MMC and then taking the ‘waiting for nature to take its course’ approach for a few weeks (nothing happened).

Had to have an MVA and had no issues, MVA all went well (as well as it can go I guess) and no signs or mentions of infections or dangers in the weeks leading up to it. As a PP said, the issue is more making sure the miscarriage is complete once it has started.

Thank you all, yes it’s a difficult time. I think I’m trying to cope with it by being practical about it so I feel prepared as I was completely unprepared the first time.