WILL I MISCARRY NATURALLY?

I had an ultrasound when I was (by LMP) 7 weeks pregnant, but the tech could only see a "yolk sack", so they said that I was probably only about 5 weeks along.  I had another U/S, 2 weeks later and there was no baby, just an "empty space".  The doc said that the yolk sack was probably just absorbed and that I would either miscarry on my own, they would induce the miscarriage with medication, or I could have a D & C.  I opted to wait and miscarry on my own.  That last appointment was over 4 weeks ago, and I still have no signs of miscarriage and my uterus continues to grow (by my LMP date I should be 14 weeks, by the last U/S I would be 12 weeks).  I am beginning to doubt the ultrasound.  Has anyone had this happen?  How long will it take for my body to stop growing and a miscarriage to take place???  Anyone have any answers???

[lilpixie]

did they check you hcg levels to see if they are going down?  Typicaly when a miss carriage is susspected the doc will do blood work to make sure thats whats really happeneing.  I had to have blood work done once a week for 3 weeks because I mc naturally and they wanted to make sure everything passed so they watched my hcg til I got to 0. The hormones go down at different rates for everyone so they can cause the preg symptoms to continue. some people will miscarry on there own and some have to have the d&c its different for everyone and every preg.  If your doctor didnt watch your hcg and your still feeling preg I would call your doctor.A  friend of mine  miscarried and  didnt do her blood work and had a mess of problems because her body didnt take care of everything on its own.  Its better safe then sorry.  Im really sorry about your loss.. its been 3 months and I still get all teary eyed from time to time.

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Yes, she did take HCG levels and they continued to rise (significantly!) between the two appointments, but I don't remember the number exactly...I think it was something like 7500 on the first level??  to 16500 on the second??   I have not been in since the second U/S, so I have not had blood work since then (it's been 4 weeks).  I haven't been back in because I don't want to be talked into a D&C...that is what my doctor wanted to do in the first place, but I have had 4 other D&Cs and I am afraid that scar tissue would limit my chances of another pregnancy....I also went to www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com and, after reading several postings, I am even more unsure!  I just wonder if the ultrasounds were wrong...

[Agiesmom]

At 6 weeks, 2 days I had a transvaginal ultrasound and they saw nothing--no yolk sac, no fetal pole, no heartbeat.  At 8 weeks, I had another transvaginal ultrasound and they still saw nothing--just a black oval.  My doctor told me that it's over and suggested a D&C and I refused.  He suggested Cytotec to help "move things along".  I refused that, too.  I told him that I wanted to wait and let my body do what it needs to do on its own.  I never started cramping or bleeding and my doctor was concerned, saying that infection can set in when a miscarriage doesn't complete in a timely manner.  So at 9 weeks, 5 days he sent me for another ultrasound and there she was!  Heartbeat and all!  She is now 13 months old and perfect and beautiful!

The hCG numbers start to drop at some point, so I'd insist on having another ultrasound if I were you.

[lilpixie]

well then in that case i definitly wouldn't let them do a d&c.... maybe you should see a different doc and like Agiesmom said insist on another ultrasound. Alot can happen in four weeks. who knows maybe your dates were off and you just werent as far as you thought at that point.

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Thanks so much for your posting, Agiesmom!  I am praying for an outcome like yours!  I will probably have to go see another doctor because mine said she could not justify another ultrasound.  I am glad that you had a supportive doctor who respected your wishes!  Mine tried to convince me to have a D&C (or induce with medication) as well because she said there was a danger of infection.  I have researched this and I think infection is a danger only if you develop a fever, begin to feel ill, have excessive bleeding, or have excessive pain.  Is this what you have heard?
Thanks for your input and support, as well, lilpixie!
Another thing I thought of...during the first ultrasound, my "sack" looked like it was caving in, and the second ultrasound showed a perfectly round/oval shape and had continued to grow.   Did you see this as well on your U/Ss Agiesmom?

[Agiesmom]

I didn't see my first U/S--the technician just said, "You're not as far along as you thought."  I asked why she said that and she said, "I should be able to see something and I don't."  My heart sank because I knew that I got pregnant on the 5th or 6th of June because my dh was traveling a lot around that time.  My doctor called and told me the same thing and I told him that I know I'm not off on my dates.  He said, "Well, expect a period in a few days, then."

I saw the second ultrasound--my doctor did it and he knew that I was hopeful that things would be ok, so he spent about 10 minutes moving the wand around and pointing to different areas on the screen, showing me where different things should be, but clearly were not.

When I refused a D&C and Cytotec, he told me to call him immediately if I get a fever.

I'm surprised that your doctor won't do another U/S to make sure that you either absorbed it completely (like I have heard can sometimes happen) or that there is no infection.  Can you just call and ask?  Tell your doc it's been a month and you haven't started to cramp or bleed and want to see what's going on.  If s/he still refused to do another U/S, maybe call your insurance company and ask what you should do in this situation.

Please let us know what happens!

p.s.  By the way, my dates were not off at all--at my third U/S (when they first saw the baby), the baby measured exactly correctly according to my LMP.

[mrs5077]

Have you taken any HPT since ur last scan? I would take one just to see and if you are still getting a BFP, than you need to see another dr. Only you know how you feel and if something is telling you that there may still be a chance, than you have got to demand and get answers. I would think that after 4wks you should have been cramping, bleeding or somethiing and after 4wks baby would start to decompose and you would have a fever and a foul odor (that's what happend with my sis) and you don't have any of that. Take a test and at least you will kinda have an idea of where to go from there. Best wishes and I am soo sorry that you have to go through this.

Inga

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

I haven't taken another home pregnancy test, but that is a good suggestion...thanks mrs5077!  I haven't had any cramping, bleeding, etc!  I still feel pregnant...
Thanks for your suggestions as well, Agiesmom!  It is so nice to know that others care and have had, or have heard of, similar expierences!  Has anyone else had something similar happen...or had a miscarriage take over 4 weeks to occur?

[sassmeister]

I am sorry that you are going thru this.  I agree with Adiesmom.  You should take another hpt and request another u/s.  I would definately go to another dr.

As to your last question "Has anyone else had something similar happen...or had a miscarriage take over 4 weeks to occur?"  yes, I have.  I had my u/s at 12 weeks 6 days, I knew something was wrong because she didn't let me see the screen or invite my husband or daughter in the room.  She wouldn't tell me anything.  when I got home I started to spot.  The next day my dr office called and asked me to come in and review my u/s results.  That is when he told me that the baby stopped growing (died) at 7 weeks 6 day.   So long story short - it took 5 weeks for my body to m/c naturally.  

I have a great dr tho.  I am RH - so he sent me to the hospital to get a shot.  Then I was senthome to wait to see if nature would take it's course.

From the sounds of it tho, this is not the same situation for you.  If your HCG level is rising, then you are still pregnant.  My levels dropped to 0 by the 7th from when the spotting started.

Have faith!

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Thanks for your posting and encouragement!  I am sorry to hear about your loss!  Blessings to you...are you trying and/or pregnant again?
What I am confused about is...if the doctor thinks that a baby never developed and that it ended around the time of the first ultrasound (about 5 weeks) and I am 14 weeks now...that would be 9 weeks, and my body still hasn't noticed?  
I haven't yet, but I plan to get another home pregnancy test and try it out...
Does anyone know what your HCG levels have to be for the pregnancy test to read positive?
Thanks all!

[sassmeister]

No problem, I wish I had known about this site 3 weeks ago!  At least it is helping me now.  Yes we are TTC again...fingers crossed.

I would think that your body would know by now...that's why I also think you should do another test, maybe u/s?

As far as I have found, the HCG level has to be at least at 25 to show as positive.  Check out the site pee onastick.com (without the space after pee).  It will give you a better idea depending on the brand you use.

God Bless you as well...Good luck!

[Lezzart]

Well ladies, reading your posted comments has helped and discouraged me. I had a tubal ligation done in March 07 and I am now 8 weeks pregnant. A week and a half ago I had an U/S and the baby was in the uterus with a heartbeat. Last Wednesday I was bleeding, bright red but not enough to dirty a pad and I had a little bit of cramping. Went to the hospital, had another U/S and supposedly the embryo is dead. But I am not cramping anymore and not bleeding either.

Now I'm thinking, could they have misted the heartbeat? The embryo is so small at this point, could it be? I still have the belly, I still feel pregnant, is it just the mind playing games on me? Because I have been on a rough emotional roller coaster ride the last 3 weeks. Wednesday the doc said the miscarriage should start within a couple of days...well nothing so far. From what I read above it might take another 3 to 4 weeks for it to start?

I am sad and very angry at this point and of course I feel guilty (I have not done anything wrong and I know it's not my fault) but still, I can't help it. As much has I was upset that I got pregnant anyway, as much has I am upset now for loosing the baby.

I just want it out now if it's not going to be, but I don't want to do anything stupid just in case the hospital made a mistake...it wouldn't be the first time... I just needed to vent a little.

Thanks!

[888mom]

I am so sorry that you have had to go through these things.  I have miscarried twice, once was a blighted ovum (the sack, but no baby growing).  I waited until I was about 14 weeks before having a D&C, because I wanted to be sure that it just wasnt' delayed.  My aunt had a blighted ovum once, but that was back around 1970 when they didn't have ultrasounds.  She was 6 months pregnant before she miscarried.  I think they had done an XRay (no ultrasound) to see what was goign on.  Lots of sack, absolutely no baby.  She said at 6 months, she was huge and looked totally pregnant.  She had wished looking back on me being able to have a D&C at 14 1/2 weeks, that she could have done it earlier on.  But, then hearing stories about people waiting it out... and then having a baby develop... well, that makes me wonder about my miscarriage.  But, I did wait till 14 1/2 weeks, so they were pretty sure at that point and by then the hormonal levels started to drop off as well.  Very sad, nonetheless.  

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

I am so sorry to hear of your turmoil!  I guess there is just no answer to all our difficult questions...it seems that every-body is different and even though most women's bodies miscarry or react one way with a blighted ovum, non-developing fetus, etc, etc, etc, that doesn't mean that yours or mine will act the same.  Check out www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com; I have been so encouraged by the stories on that site!  We are not alone in our confusion and/or heartache!  
I would definately suggest that you wait it out as long as you feel comfortable and then request another U/S...hopefully your doctor is more supportive than mine!
Blessings to you...and keep us posted!

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Thanks for your posting...I really appreciate you sharing your expierence and especially your aunt's story...I didn't realize that I could go so long "growing" and feeling pregnant with no baby.  I think I will find another doctor who will do another ultrasound...I will still pray that they just missed something on the earlier ultrasounds!   And, about your "wondering" about your past D&C...don't worry about what you cannot change...you were (probably) wise to allow your body closure.  I have often wondered as well...I had a miscarriage at 11 weeks...I went in for my first pre-natal appointment and my doctor did a quick U/S and we saw no heart beat.  I had a D&C two days later...I wish I would've insisted on another U/S, just to be sure...but I just wasn't thinking then.  We all have times that we wish we could do-over, but if we dwell on those times, we won't allow ourselves to move on and we can miss out on the "now".
Blessings to your for sharing your insight...are you trying to conceive or pregnant again?  Good luck!

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Congratulations, Good Luck and God Bless!   Thanks for the website info...I will check it out!

[Lezzart]

HI! And thank you sooo much for the web link...it has given me hope. I don't know if any of you have felt your belly growing, but I do, some days the skin seems to be getting so tight and you can feel it pushing, well this morning I woke up with that feeling, had been a week since I had felt it. I might be in denial and I might be totally wrong, because I am emotionally unstable and the mind can play tricks on you, BUT like my hubby said, IF I am going to miscarry then at least I will have done everything possible to make sure it is/was justified. I will not have a D/C before I get a couple of blood test done. The emergency doc said I should see my Doc tomorrow, but I will wait on the 31st (already have a scheduled app at that time) by then, hopefully nothing or something will have happen...I just have this gut feeling they might be wrong, so I will go with my instinct.

I will keep you posted, and thanks again for the link, you've brighten my day!

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

I'm glad you found the website helpful!  I feel like my uterus is growing as well?!?  
I am glad that you are going with your instincs!  I am sure you will feel better knowing that you have waited it out to be sure!  I will be praying for a "happy ending" for you!  Keep hoping...even if you do have a miscarriage, you should have no regret that you trusted your gut!  God has given us an instinct for a reason...prayer does wonders as well!
Blessings to you...keep me posted!

[sassmeister]

Thanks you for your well wishes.  I'll also keep my fingers crossed for you too!  I hope your story turns out better than mine did!

I will let you know what happens and you do the same!

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

So sorry to hear of your heartaches, but I have not lost hope for those of you who are still "waiting"!  
I posted on March 19th...I was waiting to miscarry...I had been told that my baby never really developed beyond a yolk sack, and it had been 9 weeks and counting since then...I wanted to have a natural miscarriage because I have had 4 previous D&Cs and was in fear of more scar tissue.  Well, since it had been so long, I had doubts that the ultrasound was right...but, unfortunately, my miscarriage happened.  I started bleeding on Tuesday, then on Wednesday morning, very heavy bleeding and severe cramps (felt like I was in labor!) started.  I am sorry for those of you who may be offended or grossed out by the following...I was bleeding so heavy that I was unable to get off my toilet because it was streaming out like I was peeing, and I was passing clots that were larger then my fist!  After about 2 hours, I was passing out, and I thought I was going to die!  Thank God that my husband was home, because he was able to drive me to the ER, blood soaked clothes and all...I was unconscience by the time we reached the hospital.  They had to do an emergency D&C to stop the bleeding.  I lost over 1/2 of my body's volume of blood and I was given 4 units of blood, just to bring my blood pressure to a safe level and so that I was not passing out all the time.  I was in the hospital for 2 days, but I am home now and still very anemic, but glad to be alive!  Even with all that I "passed" at home, the entire sack and placenta was still inside of me; it was "stuck"...I would have died trying to miscarry at home.  I know that there are many women out there who miscarry and are able to do it at home with no assisstance, but I strongly urge you to make sure that you have some one you can call when you start to experience your miscarriage, just in case it gets out of control.  I wanted to experience my miscarriage alone, so that I could mourn my loss, and work through the pain and sorrow; but if my husband were not at home, it could have been my end.  This is just my advice because of my experience.  My prayers are with you all!

[sassmeister]

OMG!  I am so sorry!  Mt m/c was very similar, except the hospital part.  I too felt like I was in labour and lost alot of blood, where it lookied like I was peeing. :(  I feel for you and wish I could hug you.  I am glad you were not alone and had your husband there.  I am happy you made it through...just rest now.  

[Lezzart]

You are in my thoughts and I hope that emotionally you are doing well. I know how hard it can be physically but mentally the scares can be deep.

I saw my doctor today and yes my uterus was still growing. The way she explained it to me is that until you are 12 weeks pregnant the "embryo" is on life support, your body supports it, after 12 weeks the "fetus" takes over, he is strong enough to take care of itself (kindoff).
So she sent me for an emergency U/S, because I still feel pregnant, still have all the symptoms and I think they just missed the heartbeat 2 weeks ago, I shouldn't be pregnant in the first place anyway (had a tubal legation a year ago).

Well the U/S was the same, no growth, no heartbeat, the "baby" died at 6 weeks. So my body is in denial. I called back my doc and left her the message that I did not want the medication to endues my periods, I wanted a D&C. Well that's what I'm getting tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. Pretty fast huh?

So I am very sad, I cried (again & again) my hormones are playing a number on me right now.  

I console myself with the thought that I have my own personal little angel out there.

So for all of you out there: sassmeister, MAYBEPREGNANT, I wish you all the best physically and mentally. It might sound cruel, but I'm glad I'm not alone and I happy we can share this painful event and support eachother.

Take care! (((Hugs)))

,

[sassmeister]

Thank you so much!  I am sorry that you also have to go thru this.  It's not cruel to be glad that there are others who are going thru the same thing and share the same feelings as you.  It IS sad, but not cruel.  I am glad I found this site and all of you have helped me thru this terrible time in all of our lives.  Too bad we couldn't have met in person, to give proper hugs to eachother!

Take care of yourself too!

[888mom]

I am so sorry about your loss.  I am also sorry that you had such a painful miscarriage and had to go to the hospital.  I will pray for you, since this is obviously not an easy time.

You asked if I was trying to conceive in an earlier message... I had been trying and now I waiting again and am rethinking about whether or not to seriously.  I have some health issues (autoimmune disorder as well as type II diabetes) which can both cause health risks during the pregnancy plus I have had previous miscarriages.  However, if I had given up trying to get pregnant beforehand after previous miscarriages, I would not have had my daughter who is now 2.  Life is full of painful choices and painful things, but it is also full of miracles and life and love.  

I will keep you in my prayers for what you are goign through right now physically and emotionally.  I will also give a thankful prayer that you survived.  

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Thanks for the prayers...mine are with you all as well!  Good luck and God Bless you in your decisions about "growing" your family!
Blessings!

[bigmoma69]

right now i am going thriugh the same thing. dr didnt find a heartbeat on the doppler did an ultrasound no heartbeat or movement.sent me to the hospital they didnt tell me nothing. went back to the dr he said the results where the same. offer to induce labor or to do an d& c.at the time i was to be 16.5 weeks but measured 14. today i should be 18 weeks. i have not given him an answer yet to what i want to do. he told me this 2 weeks ago which means today something happened 4 weeks ago. as of today no cramping, bleeding or anything.i am very confuse . i asked for another ultrasound and it was no .i made an appt to another dr. and i go on the 14. this is my 6th pregnancy, the other 5 no problem. this one i spotted and bleed for about 2 months at the beginning after i turn 10 weeks there was no bleeding  at my 11th week appt he said i would be fine i think that was the day i vomitted and i started bleeding heavy and pass tussie he said it was only a clot. but everything would be alright since i pass 10 weeks.then i read under your comments and learn new stuff. the dr did no blood tests and no viginal ultrasounds. i cant wait until my appt. if everything is alright im glad but being confuse i dont want to get the infection. i wish you a lot of luck because i know what you are going through.

[imgonnabeamommy111608]

bigmoma69,  i just had a miscarriage today, and it was heavy bleeding, and passing of clots. im not saying you had a miscarriage, but just in case you did, be prepared for it. still have hope, but be prepared for anything. good luck to you.

[sassmeister]

:( I am terribly dissapointed...AF started yesterday.  How are you feeling?

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

Sorry for your dissapointment...:0( HUGS!  Keep trying!  I am feeling better than expected...praise God!  I am still very anemic, but I know that will get better over time.   Thanks for asking!

[Bethlyn184]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have been there myself. One my first miscarriage, I was almost 11 weeks along and the embryo never grew past the 6 1/2 week stage. I was told by an idiot dr to go home and let it happen naturally. I felt like I was in labor (I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter) for about a week. The doctor never called to see how I was. I ended up breeding profusely and getting infected. I did not pass everything out and my body kept hemorraging. By the time I reached the hospital - the doctor told my husband "by the morning I would not have woken up". I spent couple of days in the hospital too. My new doctor (who helped me with my 2nd miscarriage) stated after about 8 weeks - that the sac and complications are much too much for most people to handle by themselves. I requested a d&c for the second and was up and about in about 24 hrs. Many hugs to you and I am glad you have your husband for support.

[sassmeister]

I cannot believe what an idiot doctor I have.  She failed to let the hospital know that I m/c.  now almost 6 weeks after my m/c I got a lengthy message concerning all my up-coming appts. with the OB and hospital tours etc.  To top it off, I had to call and explain and cancel these appts.  Semms like I am constantly being reminded that I should be almost 5 months pregnant now :(

[penmister12]

Hello I need some advice. When I was 10wks I went to the ER - feeling ' not right' they did blood and a U/S they said the blood showed 8wks and the U/S showed no heartbeat. Told to go home and wait for the miscarrage (miscarriage)...next day bad cramping ( felt like labor contractions) for a week now no bleeding at all. Cramping was for @ 2 days - no spotting. I don't really feel pregnant anymore - but I have been greiving too. I don't want too die of an infection or something. I am also new to the area and so have no established doctor. What should I do....should I demand a D&C before I get sick?
HELP

[MAYBEPREGNANT]

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss! HUGS!  I would go back in to the ER or an Urgent Care type clinic (urgent care might be cheaper) and tell them it has been a week after your cramping, but there has been no bleeding and that you are worried about the danger of infection; maybe the cramping was just the a sign that your body is starting to sense something wrong, but I am sure that you need to bleed for the miscarriage to be over.  I wouldn't worry too much, just because it took my body 9 weeks to discover the "loss".  But, because you are over 8 weeks, the miscarriage may be very difficult, and I would hate for you to face the dangers of what happened to me (see my posting from March 30th).  If you are comfortable with having a D&C, then that is what I would ask for.  Just to make sure, I would demand another ultrasound and blood test.  Also, take a few moments and visit www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com; that site was a huge comfort for me!!!
Take care and blessings to you!

[sassmeister]

:( still no BFP!