[carabelli]

Hi fellow comrades... rated G post (but in this case, G stands for "graphic"!!!)

I had a miscarriage on Saturday, Oct. 10th. I should have been about 12 weeks that day. It was most likely a blighted ovum. I did an IUI on July 30th, and after the BFP, I went to a regular OB (mistake!!!) Unfortunately, at my 8 week appointment he did not get an ultrasound (in fact, he barely did an exam!) If he did, it would have been very clear then that I did not have a viable pregnancy, and I would have elected to do a D&C. But, that did not happen, so I miscarried naturally about four weeks later on the 10th. It has been one week and two days since the miscarriage, and the bleeding is not getting better. In fact, it is worse! Every time I go to the bathroom I wipe a clot and see long stringy red blood. (sorry!!!!) Last week it was brown and lighter with an occasional clot. This week it is red and heavier and clots all the time!!

However, I have no pain, and physically I feel absolutely fine. (the day of the miscarriage was painful and I emptied like Niagra Falls, but no pain since then) I thought there was a finite amount of clots and blood, and it just needed to all come out. However, now I'm not sure about that. After I did a 10 mile hike on Saturday, I read somewhere that I was not supposed to be active, because that might increase the bleeding (oops!!) Also three nights ago I took Aspirin for a headache. Maybe I shouldn't have done that either.

What I want to know... does all the bleeding have to stop, and THEN I wait a few weeks to get a period? OR... Is the timing of the next period a few weeks from the day of the main miscarriage. Is it too late for Methotrexate (sp?) ? I would go ahead and take it if it would speed things up!!

I am 37 and I am anxious to try again ASAP!!!!!

[Koshveily]

So sorry this is happening, sweets... but it sounds like you're handling it like a trooper. Good for you.

Methotrexate is generally used when you have a growing embryo growing abnormally or in the wrong spot... and probably won't help in your case.

Usually you would be instructed to wait until you've stopped bleeding, gone for some time with no bleeding, and then had at LEAST one normal period before you cycle again. I know my RE told me I had to have three normal periods before I was allowed to cycle again. For that, I would ask your RE what he/she recommends.

The extensive bleeding you're having sounds normal. I would double up on your fluids and make sure you're taking an iron supplement (you should be getting plenty of iron in your prenatal vitamins that you are taking... or should be taking! ). Good luck... the waiting is the worst part of trying to have a baby... and it seems a lot worse when you've undergone fertility treatments!

[sunny72]

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I'm not sure what you should do. My situation was different where I had a missed miscarriage so the embryo stopped growing around 6.5 weeks and at around 8 weeks they gave me cytotec to bring on the miscarriage which had an immediate effect. However, I was still bleeding heavily 2 weeks later so they examined me and I have some placenta kind of getting stuck on the top of the cervix and causing the cramps and bleeding. They gave me a like a mini D&C right in the OB office with no pain medicine (I do not recommend you let them do this) and after a week more of bleeding I insisted on a D&C at the hospital.

Like Shelly said they would probably recommend you stop bleeding, and have the normal period.

I'm hope you stop bleeding soon, but maybe you could call your OB and make sure everything you are experiencing is what is to be expected.

[jenm]

I know how terrible this situation is, so sorry!
I would recommend having an ultrasound, or at least an exam to determine if anything is left inside. When I miscarried I thought I was finished after a week, but surprised a month later to have uncontrolled bleeding due to retained products of conception- had to have an emergency d&c!

[makenalelu]

Sorry to hear about your news. One note I want to make is about methotrexate. They normally only use this for ectopic pregnancies, so I don't think you would need it. It doesn't speed anything up, and actually you have to wait 12 weeks before TTC again. They want to make sure the drug is completely out of your body.

[bunniswife]

For sure you should get an ultrasound done to see if there is anything left inside...If you're concerned about your bleeding, go to the ER and ask to see the gynecologist on call. I had to do that with my fifth miscarriage because I couldn't pass it naturally. I ended up hemmoraging and needing an emergency D&C. Sorry you're going through this, it's never easy. Hugs

[Jen403]

So sorry to hear about what you are going through. I, too would recommend that you have an ultrasound to determine if anything was left inside. I went through a natural miscarriage without a d&c and luckily everything came out on it's own. But my dr. did an ultrasound just to be sure. The bleeding was pretty intense for about a week...more than a period but everyone is different...I was only 8 weeks along and you were twelve. The hiking probably didn't help but I know how you just want to get on with your normal life! As far as trying again, I had to have 2 normal periods after the miscarriage. I think that means waiting until the bleeding stops and having two normal cycles after. The wait seems like forever but hang in there.

[carabelli]

Thank you for the good info and suggestions. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences. After 13 days of bleeding, it finally went down to just spotting... and other odd specimens from time to time. Today, nothing so far! So, if more suddenly starts coming out, I'll ask about another ultrasound, but I guess it's okay right now.

I know we should wait for a normal cycle or two before trying again... BUT, I've heard of so many people that have conceived before their next period. It is unlikely that will happen to me, but I don't want to prevent it by using any type of contraceptives. The only reason I could find to justify waiting was due to the inconvenience of not being able to date it properly. From what I've read, it has been determined that there is no increased risk of miscarriage no matter how early you conceive again. Has anyone heard differently?

Anyway, it likely won't matter because it is unlikely I will conceive naturally. We'll probably have to do another IUI, and for that, they will have to wait for my hormone blood levels to go down, and for a period. As of last night, my pregnancy test still shows a faint positive (ugh!) That must mean I'm a ways away from my next period.

Another ques... could baby aspirin cause harm? My RE suggested it, but we have no definite reason to take it... I think she's going with the "can't hurt, might help" philosophy.

Lots to learn...

[carabelli]

oops.... didn't see the baby aspirin thread. I'll look at that!