Diagnosed missed abortion eight wks ago, but stomach is now huge

[wlg1695]

I went to the hospital in mid-Feb. because I was having severe cramps.  I tested positive on the pregnancy test, I didn't know I was before then.  They did an ultrasound and detected no fetal heartbeat and told me they didn't think the pregnancy was viable.  I wasn't bleeding, just cramping.  I started bleeding around the beginning of March and it has continued since then.  It's not heavy, mostly spotting, and it's only for a day or two at a time.  I will go a few days without any spotting then will spot for a couple of hours.  Still haven't had an a normal period for myself.  I never went back to the dr because I was in the process of moving to another state and have had previous miscarriages with no complications.  I saw my profile in the mirror today and my abdomen, from my pubic bone to my belly button looks huge from the side.  If I was still pregnant I would be 17wks going by my LMP.  Is it possible that I could still be pregnant even though there was no fetal heartbeat and the dr didn't think it was viable???  If I take a drugstore pregnancy test, will it still come up positive if I'm bleeding from a miscarriage??

[nurse12hr]

There are a number of things that could be wrong, but sweetie, you NEED to go to a doc ASAP.  

If they didn't see fetal tissue in utero, you could have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that grows outside the uterus).  It would not be usual for an ectopic to get to 17 weeks, but it is not unheard of.  This can be a deadly emergency for you.  

There is a chance also that you were not far enough along for the doc to see a fetus in the sac when you went to the ER, and you are still pregnant, but having some spotting.

The bloating could have nothing to do with pregnancy, but in any event when you have severe abdominal bloating, especially accompanied by spotting, you NEED to be seen.

if you can't get in to see an OB right away, I personally would go to the ER and be seen by the on call OB/GYN.  Better safe than sorry.  

Please write back and tell me you went to be seen.

[wlg1695]

There was a fetus when the ultrasound was done.  The tech measured it, but could not detect a heartbeat.  It was in the uterus, so there was not a chance of it being and ectopic pregnancy.

[nurse12hr]

I would still get it checked out.  There are so many things this could be, and some of them are not fun.  Go.