When I went in on Monday, at what should have been 11 weeks, baby measured 8 weeks. The doctor gave me a number of options on what to do. Since then, I haven't been able to talk to any of the doctors at my practice (don't get my started there...) but started experiencing cramping and the start of bleeding. I'm trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect - pain, bleeding, passing tissue, etc. A chemical pregnancy was like a late period so I know this is going to be different. And, for those who have been here, did you need any follow up or did your body just process everything on its own?
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First, I'm very sorry you're going through this. For my natural miscarriage, I had very strong cramps and passed a few fairly large clots. Baby was only measuring 6.5 weeks for mine. It happened in the evening, but I did take the next day off just because I wasn't sure what to expect. After the initial clots, it was just like a heavy period for me.
They did an ultrasound a few days later to make sure there wasn't any retained tissue. If that had been the case, I may have needed D&C to clear things out. Sorry, that sounds gruesome.
I also had a D&C for another miscarriage. I really didn't think one option was better than the other. D&C seemed to be easier on me physically since the bleeding was much lighter afterward. However, I think I preferred the natural one for my mental health. I could see where others may struggle with that experience though. Thinking of you and wishing you the best through this tough time.
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Im so sorry to hear this. Its terrible you can't even get a nurse or someone to talk this through with you.
I dont have a lot of experience because both of mine required D&C.
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I'm really, really sorry you are going through this. I had a blighted ovum last summer and started spotting/bleeding when I should have been about 8 weeks along. I started spotting on a Friday afternoon, continued to spot that Saturday, it turned into bleeding/cramping that Sunday. On Monday I went to the OB and there was an empty sac consistent with a blighted ovum present on ultrasound, but the doctor agreed I was likely in the process of miscarrying. I got a prescription for vicodin for pain management (which I definitely needed). Cramps/bleeding got worse through the next day when I passed the sac, then the bleeding went down to normal period levels for a few more days. I was done bleeding about a week after the initial spotting started. I had a follow-up ultrasound about a week later to confirm that I had passed everything which, thankfully, I had. I got my period exactly 28 days after the first day of spotting.
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If I were you, I'd insist on speaking with a doctor from your practice about what is your best course of action. Even though the bleeding has started, you would likely still be able to go in and have them assist in removing the tissue if that is the option that you choose. I had a natural miscarriage but I was 7 weeks along so there would have been considerably less tissue. I never started bleeding on my own before having the D&C for my second loss so I didn't really have much of a choice (D&C or misoprostol). As I mentioned in your other post, there is a much less of a chance of any damage to your uterus with allowing things to happen naturally so provided that my doctor was in agreement, I'd personally go that course. At 7 weeks, my miscarriage consisted of painful cramping and heavy bleeding for about a week but the discomfort was adequately managed with Advil and I never had a traumatic moment like some women describe in which they experience large amounts of tissue expelling at once, etc. If your doctor doesn't think there is too much tissue to go the natural route, I'd probably let my body handle things without intervention.
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I’m so so sorry you’re going through this. I don’t have any helpful experience, just some good thoughts and hugs.
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@Shantuck: I spoke with someone this morning... She wants me to take Cytotec/misoprostol as well to assist in the process and then come back in a couple days for an ultrasound to check on things. I asked about tissue and she said there is a possibility of it all coming out at once... I'm hoping that's not the case. And, honestly, part of me just doesn't want to look and see either.
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@LindsayInNY: I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I had my m/c at 6.5 weeks, but baby was a week behind. When it started in earnest I had several gushes of blood. We ended up going to the ER because it was evening and my OB’s office recommended I go in to get a blood count. I, too, didn’t want to see the contents of what was coming out, so I was glad I was there. An ultrasound revealed the yolk sack (there on a ultrasound the day before) had passed, and just tissue remained, so they decided not to do a D&C. After that initial day or two of gushes of blood I just had heavy bleeding that eventually slowed and stopped about 7 days later. I had another ultrasound 6 days after the miscarriage to double check all had passed and it had. Hope this is helpful info.
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I am so sorry you're going through this.
I had a natural MC at 6.5 weeks. It started with light bleeding for about 12 hours and then I actually starting having mild contractions and quickly passed all the tissue. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty traumatic at the time. But in retrospect, I am really glad I didn't have to go through surgery (or any of the costs associated with it).
After the tissue passed I had normal period-like bleeding for about 5 days. I had a beta test about three weeks after I miscarried to confirm my levels had dropped. -
@LindsayInNY: this is what I took when I found out at 10w that the baby had stopped growing at 8w. They have me a prescription for pain meds and I did take them as it was very painful. It took several hours and then I bled for weeks afterwards. I really wanted to avoid a D&C but I’m not sure I would go this route if it happened again. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about any of it.
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I had natural miscarriages twice, at about the same point you are. I honestly preferred the experience for myself because it helped me process the situation better, but everyone is different.
Its essentially like a mini labor - you get strong cramps/contraction type things that come in waves and then they get more intense. For me, at some point I stood up and I could feel something large pass. I didn't really look at the tissue carefully, but I did transfer it to a small tupperware because my doctor wanted it for testing. Its basically just a small placenta so its like a large red clot the size of a walnut or golf ball. As soon as I passed it, my cramps stopped and I just had regular period-like bleeding for a few days.
The doctor was able to send the tissue to the lab to have it examined and they were able to confirm that the whole thing came out in one piece so I didn't have to have any additional tests, drugs, or procedures.
Like I said in the beginning, it was more healing for me personally to do it naturally because I could experience the pain and discomfort in privacy, grieve, and avoid an office procedure. But, whatever you decide, do what's right for you.
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My natural miscarriage was earlier than yours and I didn't experience cramping that was worse than a regular period. Blood was much darker and clumpier than a regular period. Also, it was about 8 days before I could stop wearing a pad. No follow up was required.
Hug. I'm so sorry.
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So sorry you're going through this
My miscarriage timing was identical as yours. I went in for my 11-12 week appointment and the baby had stopped growing around 8-9 weeks. I had the option of natural miscarriage with medication or D&C and I chose D&C. I just wanted to get it over with and didn't want to "see" it also. Best of luck with your decision.
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I'm so sorry. I just listened to this podcast that walks through exactly what to expect. Hopefully this helps 203|Homebirth Transfer, Three Losses, & Redemptive Homebirth - Sasha Ruscheinski by The Birth Hour
https://player.fm/1mlmGX #nowplaying -
I am so sorry.
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I had a natural miscarriage while scheduled for a d and c, I had to wait because I had my sister’s wedding out of state to go to (horrible timing). The cramps were very painful and I bled a lot with clots, but I never saw anything distinguishable thank god (that was my personal feeling at the time). I didn’t study every little clot but I definitely took a look. I think I would ask for pain medication like a PP mentioned, if I had to do it again. I was 8 weeks along when my miscarriage stated but baby stopped growing at 6 weeks or so.
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I'm so sorry you are dealing with this
I had a natural mc @ 6.5wks, so earlier than yours. Despite being devastated, it physically wasn't that bad for me. I had spotting leading up to the day I mc'd & that morning had brighter red bleeding that increased throughout the day. After dinner I started having cramps & digestive distress. Tmi warning, but I ended up with diarrhea & passed more blood while on the toilet. I passed greyish tissue soon after that & continued to bleed like a heavy period for several more days. As soon as the tissue passed, I believe the cramps stopped.
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@LindsayInNY: I just wanted to say how sorry I am! I had a similar experience with my m/c: saw hb and everything looked fine at 8 weeks but when I went back at 12 weeks the baby had stopped growing and there was no hb.
I did not begin to miscarry on my own so I had a d&c. It was not fun but there was something to be said for having it be “over” in a way.
So I don’t have any advice but I wanted to say that you are not alone and I will be sending you healing thoughts. I am so sorry for your loss.
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I’m so sorry to see this post. My natural m/c was a few weeks earlier so it was a different experience. You are in my prayers as you go through this.
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@LindsayInNY: I'm so very sorry for your loss, miscarriage is such a shitty, painful and miserable thing to go through!
We found out about our loss when we went for a dating scan at 7-ish weeks but it took three weeks for my body to actually miscarry. I knew it was happening when I started lightly bleeding and cramping early on the Saturday morning but things didn't escalate until Monday afternoon. I spent at least an hour in the bathroom badly cramping, bleeding profusely and passing big clots then I had another hour long episode on Tuesday afternoon followed by a final episode of cramping, bleeding and passing clots on Wednesday morning. I finally passed the sac after the third episode and immediately felt much better after doing so (the sac / embryo was quite different to and more solid than the clots I had previously passing).
I wasn't really given the option of a medically managed miscarriage as there a shortage of OB's at my local hospital and I miscarried the morning of my appt but I was already signed on with a midwife and she provided me with support and care while I waited.
In some respects I was pleased to miscarry naturally because I was / am still nursing my toddler and didn't want an additional layer of trauma but I did have to make a very dramatic and untimely exit from work in the middle of a very crucial task! I'll be honest and say that my miscarriage was NOTHING like having a period and the bleeding and cramping were worse than postpartum bleeding, the pain was also quite similar to labour (just in much shorter bursts).
Sending you lots of
My miscarriage timing was identical as yours. I went in for my 11-12 week appointment and the baby had stopped growing around 8-9 weeks. I had the option of natural miscarriage with medication or D&C and I chose D&C. I just wanted to get it over with and didn't want to "see" it also. Best of luck with your decision.
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