[mollymalone]

Hi, I'm new to this board, and have a question that I hope is not difficult for anyone that may be able to help me.

I am in the process of miscarrying right now. I found out on Tuesday, when I should have been 8wks2days, that the baby's heart had stopped beating around 6wks3days (just a couple of days after we first heard the heartbeat on an early u/s.)

I chose to try for a natural miscarriage, but now I am wondering how long it could take. Technically, it's already been 2 weeks, and although I've had some mild cramping, I have yet to even begin to spot. I mean, until Tuesday, I thought everything was fine.

Did anyone else find out they were miscarrying before they began spotting, and if so, how long did it take?

I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks, and she said if nothing happened by then we'd talk about a D&C. At first it seemed a good idea, but now I'm worried about it being inside me so long. I miscarried once before in December 09, but that time I found out because I started bleeding. We really want to try again right away. I am 37, and concerned about waiting too long.

I really appreciate anyone who can respond.

[EJsMommy]

Hi Molly, I am sorry for what you are going through right now. I have read from others that wanted to go through a natural mc may have had some medical help that would speed up the process but not d&c. I have not gone through that persay as I was in my 2nd trimester when the heart no longer was beating. So I had to deliver and they gave me pitocin in tablet form to start my birthing process.
I hope someone here on this board can be more helpful.

[lindsey2000k]

I'm sorry for your loss.
Have you though about trying to do the pills before jumping into a D&C?

I have had 2 missed miscarriages one I did a D&C the next I waited and after 5 weeks of waiting I tried cyctotect and it worked so I avoided another D&C.

[BeckyBozeman]

With mine I started spotting on a Wednesday night, we went for an ultrasound on Friday, discovered that the baby's heart had stopped about 3 weeks before (after we'd heard the heartbeat as well) and I decided to try it on my own. I waited around with more spotting and cramping until Tuesday morning, when contractions started and by that afternoon I'd passed most everything.

I was told that if I wanted to give my body the chance to let go when it was ready I needed to watch for signs of infection - fever, strong smells, etc. I know that time wise it just depends on how soon your body realizes that it's done. If you don't feel that you can bear to wait, emotionally, talk to your doctor about drugs that might induce the miscarriage.

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I'm glad that I chose to do it the way I did, because my body has recovered really quickly. But everyone has to do what's best for them and no matter what it's not easy.

Sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers...

[sweet.hun]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Well, my last miscarriage happened at 10 weeks, but the sac stopped growing at 7 weeks. I'm sure it could last quite a while, specially when your body isn't realizing the baby passed away.

[doremi]

I found out on a Monday morning, and started spotting Wednesday night, with the worst day being Thursday. I'm very sorry you're going through this.

[.:Shortcake:.]

The other ladies gave you some good advice. It really boils down to your body and how it processes things. ((HUGS)) I am so sorry your having to go through this.

[Cartersmommy08]

I'm so sorry you are going through this (((HUGS)))

I seem to be different than most but I also had a natural M/C but I chose to use Misoprostol (sp?) so I can encourage the process. I posted this story 100x so this will be the cliff note version:

On 7/01/11 I started spotting, but only a very small amount (when I wiped) and light brown. On 7/02/11 the spotting became rust colored with some dark and bright red. I went to the ER. I had a sonogram and beta checked. I was told it was only a threatened m/c since my cervix was closed. They only saw a tiny gest. sac on the screen but told me it could be normal as I was still in my 5th week. I had to f/u with my gyn on Tues (Mon was a holiday). On Sunday, 7/03/11 I woke up to horrific back and uterus cramping. I was bleeding pretty heavy, like a heavy period but with clots. I called the on call gyn who said it sounded as though I had lost the pregnancy. I had to f/u still on Tuesday to confirm my beta's were dropping.

On Tuesday 7/05/11, I saw the MW who checked me internally and drew betas. She also confirmed I was MC as she was able to see tissue and quite a bit of blood loss. I of course was devestated. I took the week off of work and was instructed to come in Friday 7/08/11 for a F/U and Beta.

On 7/08/11 the MW was booked so I had to see a new gyn. I tell you what this man really angered me as he walked in the room as though nothing had happened. Although the MW confirmed it days prior, he stated he wasn't convinced as I had continued to have PG symptoms. He took my beta and put a rush on it and said he'd call to let me know. Well, he called that afternoon and my beta's doubled I was put on bed rest until 7/11/11 when I was due for a sonogram.

The night of 7/08/11 I passed what I believe to be the fetus.....Although at the time I was in denial and dismissed it (hey my beta's went up, I'm holding on to this although I had bad bleeds all week).

On 7/11/11 I had a sonogram and was not expecting to see anything since I was pretty convinced that on Friday night I had passed the baby (but trying to not believe that either, it was a very traumitizing time for me . I was still spotting as well. The sonogram showed a much larger gest sac, fetus, but no HB, no movement, nothing. My beta's confirmed my fears, they had dropped by a good 1500 over the weekend.

I was given 3 options of either D&C, Misoprostol or just wait it out and let nature take it's course. I chose to do the Misoprostol only because I was off work for another week and really just wanted to begin to heal. On Tuesday, July 12 I took the first dose of Misoprostol. I had 6 pills orally, I had to take 2 every four hours I believe. Well I read every horror story on the internet and was paniced. DH stayed home with me the next day in case I ruptured my uterus, passed out, etc (I told you I read everything awful). To my surprise I had a cramp here and there and would get really anxious thinking this is it, and then nothing. Wednesday DH and DS woke up super sick. So maybe it was fate looking out for me. Or maybe not because I came down with whatever they had caught as well.

On July 13, I took another round of the Misoprostol. I thought it didn't work either, but on Thursday the 14th I started to get a pretty good bleed. It was at this point I'm pretty sure I passed the gest sac (there is NO mistaking that feeling). I continued to cramp and bleed for most of the day and into Friday. Although, it wasn't as heavy or as painful as the Sunday when it was first believed to be happening.

I bleed in between heavy, light, spotting from the 16th until the 24th. The heaviest stuff stopped around the 18th. I went back for a F/U on the 18th because I was worried about the bleeding as it seemed most woman only bled for 2-3 days and stopped. I was checked and they found some tissue in my cervix (TMI Sorry). After that was removed the cramping/flow like bleeding stopped but I continued to have 2 days of nothing then spotting, then light, then nothing. It about drove me crazy! I went a whole week with just an intermitent spot here and there, or spotted EW CM and then on Sunday the 31 I started having those awful cramps again. No bleeding but I went to the restroom and there it was again. Another what I presume to be a fetus. I had a very small bleed after passing this however the bleed was old/brown/rust colored. I also tested negative (finally) on a PG test that same day.

On Monday the 1st I had really bad cramps all over again. The ones that radiate through your back and your uterus. However, no bleeds just a small spot while using the restroom. Since Monday I've been fine. I pretty much feel normal. I was worried about infection (which I posted my freak out on here sorry ladies). I saw my gyn on Tuesday who checked and said no infection but he was confident that I had successfully cleared my uterus.

So for me it has been a really long process about a month to the day. I hope it's sooner for you! I seem to be the anomaly here though so hopefully you will not have to endure such a long trial!!

[mollymalone]

Thank you ladies very much. My doctor didn't say anything about pills; I didn't know that was an option. After reading all of your comments, I'm thinking that I will give it through the weekend, since I am off work. After that, if nothing has happened, I will call her office and ask about other options.

[cheeky_monkey]

We found out that the baby's heart had stopped beating at 9 weeks preg. Just like you 2 weeks before we had seen his little heart beating. My ob/gyn told us that he wanted to do an ERPC. Since I did not want to be touched by the guy on duty I decided to wait it out until the day my ob/gyn was going to be on duty at hospital. The appointment was for 12 days later. After 4 days we got to know that they baby had died spotting started. Within a week it was a constant blood flow but not flowing enough to have me admitted to hosp so I kept on waiting. On the day I went in for the ERPC I lost my baby on my own (6 months ago today )

Not to scare you but when the sac detached itself the wound remained open for nearly 2 months afterewards. I ended up seeing blood for more than 2 months afterwards coz as soon as the blood from the sac wound stopped AF started

I hope that it will end on its own. The only 'good' thing about D&C if you get to that stage is that at least you won't see anything - and blood flow should stop after a few days

[3Sapphires]

I found out at about 7.5 weeks the baby had stopped growing at 6weeks. I didn't have any spotting or cramping or anything. The next week I went in for a confirmation, still nothing - 2 days later it started. So I was around 9ish weeks.

I had just made the decision to have a D&C, but then decided to wait it out since it was starting.

[fromustobaby]

I found out at 9 weeks that the heart had stopped beating probably the day before...she said that it could be 3 weeks or more till my body realized the baby was gone...I had zero spotting/cramping, nothing...just an U/S with a completely still baby...

She suggested misoprostol or just waiting it out - for me, I couldnt stand the thought of waiting, so I did misoprostol (vaginally)...it worked and the baby passed about 6 hours after my first dose, but it was a horrible horrible horrible night - mainly mentally...

HUGE HUGS!! It is a terrible thing to go through and I am so sorry for your loss

[missy123]

I want to say I am so sorry for your loss... I understand your pain and what you are going through all too well.

As far as your age, please don't let 37 scare you. I am 42 so it can happen. ((hugs))

Take your time to heal emotionally and we are all here for you.

[mollymalone]

Thank you all again. This seems like a great group, and I'm glad I found you!

I'm going to attempt to leave town with DH for the weekend, just to clear our heads and have some alone time, so I'll be MIA for a couple of days. I'm afraid my body will finally figure out what's going on while I'm gone, but I've gotta take the chance and get out of town.

See you all Monday!

[StaceygirlPa]

I am sorry for your loss. The ladies have already giving you some good information. With two of my losses I went ahead and had D&C's so I am not much help to you.

[cheeky_monkey]

Take some pads with you just in case!

Hope that you will managed to relax. I know it's hard to relax but at times the more you keep on stressing about it the longer it will take to happen

[ttcivfma]

I was given an injection to bring on my miscarriage. My bets were not rising and then dipped. Etopic pregnancy. It took about two weeks from the injection to start spotting and then to miscarry. It was the longest two weeks of my life. Hugs to you so sorry you have to go through this.

[Blue_fire]

I was scheduled for my 12 week appointment but the night before it I started spotting. I went to er, and was told that the baby stopped growing at 8 weeks. The Dr's were concerned that I might have an infection from carrying the demise so long. They did an emergency d & c that morning.
This time the started taking betas early, and my numbers are not good. Last week they told me to brace for a natural miscarriage. I'm being monitored closely as my numbers could signal an ectopic.

None of this is easy, and some days it feels unbearable. I'm so sorry that you are going through this hunnie.

[*SamF*]

Just wanted to add my Hugs! I"m sorry for your loss, and I hope it goes quickly for you!

I've only learned I was going to m/c once before spotting began, before my D&C i spotted but barely.

[pepper73]

I am so sorry for your loss. I had a different experience so I can't offer any good advice, but it looks like the others have given you some really good feedback. I think going away for the weekend sounds like a good idea. You need to make sure you take the time to take care of yourself.