What to expect after a miscarriage

susie_g

I had a MMC about a couple of months ago and was given some pills to induce it. It was the most painful and horrible experience but to my knowledge it went as expected. A lot of bleeding and clots that lasted about 2 weeks. They sent me a blood test a few days after and my hCG levels had gone down drastically (as expected), they sent me another blood test to get done that I did 2 weeks ago but my hCG levels were still not below 5. They called me and told me to get another blood test in two weeks. I had that blood test done today but found they were testing for 3 things: hCG levels, full blood work and a pre-natal blood blood. I tried calling my doctor to ask about it but she hasn’t gotten back to me yet. Should I be worried that they found something abnormal on the first test or is this just regular procedure? I’m trying not to freak out but it’s hard.

capnjackharkness

I wouldn't freak out.  It can take months for the hcg level to go below 5.  I am sorry for your loss, it is very difficult and painful and having to wait and worry makes it even worse.  They may just have ordered a few additional tests to ensure that everything is still going as it should be.  I know sometimes if not all the tissue is passed people have had to take an additional set of medication or have a D&C, but I would try not to worry at this point. It is always better to check and ensure things are going as expected.

susie_g

Thank you, this makes me feel a lot better. I still haven’t heard back from the doctor but this makes the wait less scary. 

susie_g

I’m also wondering if it’s normal that early in the month I got what I thought was my period but it was very light compared to my regular period and it lasted about a week. Then I had nothing for a week but started bleeding again, it was more like spotting could only notice it when I wiped. Anyone had this same of similar experience?

capnjackharkness

Your cycles will probably be wonky for a while, and when they go back to 'normal' it could be a completely new normal. You could have entirely different symptoms than you ever had before.  Since you still have HCG in your system, you may have no had a true period, but rather just some breakthrough bleeding or something earlier this month.  Your body will probably just need time to figure itself out and regulate to having cycles again.

babyodo

OP - How far along were you when you had your MMC? That will kind of determine how long it'll take for your HCG levels to go down.

For example, I had a MMC at 10 weeks in early October last year. I took misoprostol to induce the miscarriage, and had a similar experience to yours (pain, clots, etc), but after the initial two weeks, I continued to bleed due to retained tissue. It took about 8 weeks for my HCG levels to drop below 5, and I still wound up having to go for a D&C in late-December to remove a polyp & some of the retained tissue, and to flush my uterus and fallopian tubes with saline. I'm lucky I didn't get an infection. I didn't get my true cycle back until the month after the D&C.

Since you decided to take the misoprostol (versus D&C route) it might be a good idea to see if your doctor can schedule you for an ultrasound to ensure that you passed everything or if you need another round of misoprostol or a D&C.