*Sensitive* Early loss

[Cahoots]

Hi

I had my 6 week viability scan yesterday and discovered the gestational sac is empty 😪 I'm devastated obviously, but what's worrying me now is what will happen next. This was my first pregnancy, so I have no idea.

I've been told to continue taking progesterone pessaries until I have another scan (standard protocol to ensure it's definitely not viable - the consultant was pretty certain it was, so I'm not getting my hopes up).

I haven't had any bleeding. Are the pessaries delaying the miscarriage? Presumably I will be told to stop taking them after the final scan. How long after that can I expect the MC to happen and the bleeding to start? Then do I have to wait another month after that for a normal period before we can try again?

[ButtercupGarden]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I went through the same thing in summer, also my first pregnancy, and it was so so hard. I was told to keep up the pessaries until the next scan and lived with a tiny sliver of hope that maybe it would be ok, but it wasn't to be, and sadly they confirmed at the next scan that it was a missed miscarriage. I then stopped the drugs and it took about 5 days for the bleeding to start.

When it actually happened, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be physically. Mentally it was incredibly hard though.

We were allowed to try again once I'd had a natural cycle. I miscarried at the end of August and we tried again at the start of November. I'm currently cautiously pregnant, waiting for my 12w scan on Monday... so scared about it but trying to stay positive.

Take the time to grieve and recover from this horrible experience. I'm so sorry you've had to go through it. Be kind to yourself xxx

[Cahoots in reply to ButtercupGarden]

Thank you for sharing your story. It's really helpful to know what I might expect. Sorry you had to go through this too 😔

Congratulations, and all the best with this one, I really hope it sticks for you this time! 🤞Xx

[Hidden]

I am so sorry for your loss, I had this happen too a few years ago, and I know whilst you try and be realistic there is always that 'they might be wrong' feeling.

Progesterone doesn't necessarily prevent miscarriage and I have miscarried despite being on it but equally once I was told to stop them but I didn't miscarry naturally and ended up having to have intervention. I think most people its 3-5 days later but that does vary by person.

Like Buttercup when I miscarried at 6 weeks I didn't find it much more than a very heavy period physically but mentally I found it very difficult. You typically have to have a natural period (which can be late) before you start another cycle. I rushed into one at one stage as I felt at least it was doing something positive but in hindsight I probably should have waited longer as I might have been ready physically but I wasn't mentally.

Sending you hugs, definitely take time to grieve x

[Cahoots in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Really helpful advice. Sorry you've experienced this too 😔My grief is kind of coming in waves at the moment. It is hard, and I'm struggling to get my head around it. It was a bit of a shock because I thought things were going well. I kept testing to make sure and it kept coming up positive, but I guess the hormones are there even though the embryo isn't 😔 I think it will really hit me when the miscarriage actually happens 😓

I do feel a tiny bit positive that I was actually able to get pregnant after 5 years of ttc naturally, so am hopeful that it could work next time. And we have some frosties waiting for when we are ready to try again. Just need to get through this xx

[Jess1981]

I am so sorry for what you are going through. We tried for 7 years for our first daughter (with a CP a year before her) We also lost a baby at 20 weeks pregnant after having our first child then had another chemical pregnancy followed by another loss at 6/7 weeks. Took a month off trying ( mentally and physically I felt battered by it) saw a miscarriage specialist ( who couldn't find a reason but was very supportive) it was very upsetting and frustrating we were grateful to conceive but couldn't understand why a pregnancy wasn't sticking. I then after that month off conceived and had our youngest daughter is coming up 11 months who was born on 16th ( we learned our second daughter Amelia died at our 20 week scan on 16th November 2020) . Eliza is my rainbow baby 🌈 she and her sister Francesca were worth all the struggle we went through. Whilst I know recurring losses are awful to read about ( I am sorry) even with those ladies do go on to have healthy babies. You are extra fertile for 6 months after a miscarriage- I became pregnant 3 times within 6 months from Amelia ( hope that offers you some hope I know how important hope is ) miscarriage is one of the worst things any women can have happen particularly after infertility so unfair . 🥲 I am so sorry you are going through this . Agree with the other ladies the physical side of early miscarriage wasn't that bad it was the emotional side that was more difficult. I hope you have lots of support and wish you the best. I'm sure your rainbow baby is round the corner 🌈

[TurquoiseWater]

I know exactly how you feel as the same happened to me in August too. After the initial scan I was told to continue progesterone too and then at my scan the week after I was told that the sac had grown but it was still empty but as there has been development in size, they couldn’t say it was not a viable a pregnancy. I was then asked to come in for another scan a week later. At this point the nurse said it was up to me if I wanted to continue the progesterone. I did continue it for another week so that I knew that I had done all I could and should have done. At the third scan they could see the sac had collapsed and they confirmed the pregnancy non-viable.

I started to bleed 7 days after stopping the progesterone. The pain was quite intense for about an hour and then eased when I passed the sac and then I continued to bleed for about another week after.

It does affect you mentally more than physically. Our bodies are stronger than we think! I would have random bouts of getting upset.

As it was my second miscarriage I was referred to the miscarriage clinic where they took blood tests etc. These results came back clear.

Currently now prepping for my first FET!

Hope you are okay and remember you are not alone xx

[Twiglet2]

I am so so sorry 😢 at 6 weeks I bled a few days later after stopping the meds and it was painful cramping for a few hours and then a normal heavy period for a week. It was more the emotional side that was a struggle so please reach out to those around you you deserve all the help and support going xxxx