Advice requested: natural MC follow up

catiecatp · January 2016

I'm sorry to be a member of this group, but happy to have found support. I have a quick-ish question that normally I'd direct to my doctor, but it is a long weekend and I don't want to wait until Monday. I'll give a brief back story before my question:

I had an ultrasound on Dec 22 - baby measured 5w5d, I thought I was 7w - but doctor(s) said that the size matched potential ovulation etc. based on LMP and when I thought I'd ovulated (later than 14 days) and implantation bleeding. They detected a subchironic hemorrage (hematoma) and gave me a 50/50 chance of a MC - I was instructed to have serial blood tests for HCG levels, and had the first on Dec 24. Dec 24 I started bleeding, got heavier on the 25th. We chose not to go to the hospital because I wasn't in pain and wasn't bleeding so heavily to be scary. Sharp pains for a few hours on the 27th, but they passed with a heating pad on low, an extra strength tylenol and just a few hours of time. I called my doctor on the 29th to schedule an appointment for next week - and told the medical office assistant that I thought I was miscarrying. I was crying and emotional, but not in physical pain. She ordered me to go to the hospital - in not the most caring tone of voice - but that may have been to cut through my apparent hysteria (I wasn't that bad, but may have sounded worse than I was feeling). So DH rushed home from work and we went to the ER - because I wasn't in pain, or bleeding a lot, or running a fever it took awhile to be seen. They tested my HCG levels and they had dropped - our MC was confirmed and the ER doctor was lovely about it and told us what to watch out for as signs of a problem and/or infection. I haven't bled a lot - like a regular period for me, maybe a bit heavier. No major clots, but some tissue that was in small clumps, but again, not much different than a regular period (though more clumps than I normally have).

It is now Jan 1 and I'm still having some light spotting - but I'm wondering about my next steps. I had already booked a follow up ultrasound for Tuesday (not with my doctor since she is a GP) - should I keep it and use it to look to see that I've completed my MC? It can take up to a week to get an ultrasound scheduled so I haven't cancelled it yet (on the advice of the ER doctor) - but I'm wondering if it will be a waste - and/or if it will be an unnecessary hardship for me (I'm sure I'll get emotional again). I'm figuring my doctor will want to continue with the blood tests - I'll confirm that with her - but I'm not as worried about that since it is easy/quick to have a blood test.

Everyone is different - but for DH and I, we want to start TTC again as soon as possible - and a part of me is wondering if I could get to a confirmation that we can start again faster with the ultrasound. Thoughts?

SharonB222 · January 2016

I would keep follow up (f/u) appts - to ensure the pg has passed in full, particularly if you want to TTC again soon. In my case f/u hCG levels were sufficient to ensure the pg had passed (or required treatment). Most losses complete in full, but sometimes they can drag on (retained tissue). You can call Monday to see if the u/s is still called for or not. If there's any doubt and since it's hard to schedule, I would keep it - for peace of mind. I ovulate immediately after (or during) my early pg losses so could TTC immediately, but mostly wait a cycle.

I am sorry for your loss.

BooksForMe23 · January 2016

I had my scheduled u/s right after my miscarriage, and it was at least nice to hear that everything had passed and I didn't need to worry about more bleeding. It was very sad seeing all those pictures of empty black space where most people see a baby. But like I said, at least I knew I wasn't going to need any further intervention.

cjt121413 · January 2016

I'd keep the u/s appointment. I had a u/s to confirm everything had passed, and then they'll do blood work every week until HCG is at 0.

So sorry for your loss.

ceu · January 2016

I would keep the U/S appointment. Like some of the previous posters mentioned, it's helpful to hear that things have gone the way they were supposed to, and no further medical intervention is needed. I think with my first miscarriage, I spotted for a week and a half or so after the full bleed. I normally have a light period, so I was a little concerned with this. One thing you might prepare yourself for is you might be very sensitive now. The internal U/S really hurt me after my natural miscarriage. I had no idea, otherwise I would have taken some ibuprofen just before the appointment.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's very hard. Know you've found a great support network if you ever need to talk...

catiecatp · January 2016

Thank you ladies - I really appreciate your input - and the support I'm getting on these boards. Still haven't talked to my doctor directly since it is still the weekend - but I've confirmed that she wants me to have the ultrasound because my best friend is my GP's little sister and works in her office (and therefore was the only friend we announced the pregnancy to) - I didn't ask but Vicki asked for me knowing I'd want to know.

I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get an appointment with my GP on Tuesday afternoon - that way DH can come with me - I think I'll have him come to the ultrasound and the appointment if I can get it on the same day - he may benefit from some closure and being able to ask questions (plus I'm sure I'll forget to ask some).

Cubslove12 · January 2016

Keep the appointment! 1/2 my sac remained and I thought I naturally miscarried... If there is remaining tissue it can cause complications later on. Good luck, I'm sorry you have to go through this

catiecatp · January 2016

This might be a Canadian thing - but heads up - if the purpose of an ultrasound changes you'll need another requisition. So I suppose, either don't tell the ultrasound place that the purpose of the u/s has changed or put a call in to your doctor for them to fax another requisition. I'm so glad I like my doctor's secretary as I'm going to be talking to her for the 3rd time this morning...

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