Repost Miscarriage Questions

Updated on October 30, 2008
C.A. asks from Petaluma, CA
7 answers

I'm very surprised I haven't received any responses accept some support from Jennifer (thank you!). I've been reading old posts regarding miscarriages so I know some women on here have had them. I don't think this one went in the newsletter, so I'm posting it again with the hopes of some responses. Sorry if this is annoying, but I'm really at a loss and would like some direction.

I'm pretty sure I'm going through a miscarriage right now. I have no idea what to expect or what's going to happen. I'm emotionally ok with this, I know this means that the baby wasn't going to be healthy and I'm glad I wasn't further along then 5 weeks. My questions are these: How long will I bleed for? Is it like a period and I can expect it to be over in a few days? So far the flow is the same as my normal period. Is it ok to use a tampon? When can we start trying for our second child again? How does the effect my period tracking and other TTC efforts? So many questions so any stories or experiences will be helpful. I do have a dr appointment on Thursday, but want to get an idea of the path I'm heading down. Thank you all for sharing something so personal!

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone for all your input. You all helped me through the waiting period until my dr appointment to find out what to do. I'm in the process of doing blood work every 72 hours for 3 draws to make sure the baby is gone. She told me that we should hold off on trying and use protection until the beginning of the year. That's the hardest part for us, since we've been trying since last February. So far I'm doing good, I'm just really tired. I'm glad the appointment is over and now I'm focusing on losing some weight and enjoying time with my baby girl and my husband. Keep focused on the good stuff. Thank you all so much, you will never know how much your support helped me.

More Answers

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C.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi C.,

I'm sorry that you are going through a miscarriage. I had one in May. I bled heavy for a few days and then light for another 10 days or so. I was told not to use a tampon to let the blood clots clear out. It will depend if your doctor "helps you along" or if you wait for the gestational sack to clear on it's own. I waited. I had a friend whose doc scraped her and she bled just for a few days as the sack popped right out. Now, this is what I wasn't told, you don't have to get your period to get pregnant again. I was told as soon as I got my period we could try again. I never received my period, and took 2 pregnancy tests that came out negative. Then 11 weeks after my miscarriage I still hadn't gotten my period and went to the doctor's... I was pregnant again! Good luck and just keep practicing. :)

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A.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi C.,

I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, so many of us have had this happen! Sad, but definitely natural.

I had one a year ago. I can't comment on a normal MC, bc mine was with misoprostol to expel a missed MC (basically, I went to my confirmation appt at my OBGYN, and the U/S showed no heartbeat. I waited another week to see what would happen, and the next U/S showed a very deflated gestational sac and no embryonic features were even visible anymore.)

My pregnancy ended at 6 wks per U/S measurements, but my body didn't expel it until 11 wks with medication.

It was pretty heavy in the begining (req'd a baby diaper!), and then tapered off rather quickly. Again, this is with meds helping it along. I used pads, no tampons. My heavy bleeding lasted 4 days. Then I started light bleeding, like a weird period.

Hope that helps!

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A.C.

answers from Sacramento on

You seem to have a pretty good outlook, which can be difficult during these things. Hang in there.

When it happened to me it was like a normal period, just heavier and crampier. It didn't last any longer than a normal period for me. I went to the dr. and they drew blood to check the HCG levels and determine that yes, in fact, I had been pregnant. I only had to wait until I had completed one more cycle and then we could try again. I think if I had miscarried much later, then I probably would have had to wait longer before we could try again, but that's not based off anything they told me.

Good luck.

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H.F.

answers from Sacramento on

I'm so very sorry you are going through this.

My experience was that miscarriages were like a normal period, maybe a little heavier. My periods usually last 3-4 days with 1 day of medium flow... miscarriages were like 5-6 days with 3 days of medium and 1 day of heavy flow. I was told to not use a tampon. I was also told that it was okay to start trying 2 cycle after the miscarriage. It totally messed up my cycles... they were between 30-33 days before... after miscarriage they were 70 days long, then 60, then 40, then back to normal. Also I had couple of anovulatory cycles afterwards (before never had one and was charting my temperatures for years).

Did your ob have bloodwork done? Were your betas not doubling? What was your progesterone?

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

C.,

I am really sorry for your loss. I had a miscarriage too. I bled for about 2 weeks and then ended up having to have a D&C. I had a lot of bleeding--so watch out for that. I was told by my doctor to wait at least 3 months before trying to conceive again. It gives your body time to get back to "normal" and also gives a better chance at sustaining a pregnancy because of the uterine lining. I will say that if you are bleeding alot like a pad an hour, you need to call your doctor ASAP.Also, don't take a bath--it increases risk of infection-so just shower. As for tampons-they increase the risk for infection by a lot, so I wouldn't use them. Use pads and also a heating pad helps with the cramping too. As far as your period goes, it depends on your cycle. But I got mine back on track about 2 months after. I hope this helps. I know its really hard to go through both emotionally and physically. Take good care of yourself and rest as much as you can.

Take care,

Molly

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R.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi C.,Sorry I missed your post the first time. I had a miscarriage my very first pregnancy at about 6 weeks along. It started with bleeding and the doctor told me I could take a bath to relax and ease the cramping. We also decided to have a dnc to get it over with as quick as possible. You never know how long the process will take,any where from 5,6 days to a couple of weeks or more. We wanted to move on and try for another baby so a dnc was a good option for us. I am satisfied with how we handled it and went on to have 4 beautiful babies over the last 12 years. No more miscarriages. With my next pregnancy we tested and found out I was low in progeterone I had to get injections. That was the only one. You have a great out look and it's nice you can give your sweet baby girl extra cuddles and know everything will be alright. She's proof. Best wishes.

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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi C.,
I am very sorry to hear that you are having a miscarriage. I've been in this situation many times unfortunately so I can certainly identify with your loss.

From my experience, you will probably have some bleeding for about 10 days or so, heavier initially and progressing to lighter flow. If you are bleeding more than one pad/hr or have any light headedness / dizziness/ severe abdo pain or have a fever, call your doctor and try to lay flat in case you pass out.
As regards tampons, No, don't wear them, it is best that gravity does it's thing and it puts you at less risk of infection. Just wear pads, it will also help you monitor the flow better.
My doc always told me to wait 3 cycles before trying again. I think this is a good idea not just from a physical perspective but it gives you a little time to grieve for your little baby. So many times, we talk about healing physically but you also need to heal emotionally.
I hope this helps and I want you to knew eventhough I had numerous problems with pregnancy I have a beautiful 7 mth old baby so all things are possible.
Good luck and I wish you all the best.

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