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How long does a woman typically bleed after having a miscarriage?

INP
On Dec.23/08 I went for an ultra sound and was told that there was no heart beat. I was 8 wks and was then told to expect to have a miscarriage over the next couple of days. On Dec.24/08 I went to Emerg. becasue I had started spotting. They did some blood work and I was told that my levels had dropped down to 16,000 and I was sent home. On Boxing Day, I returned once again to Emerg. because I was having some bleeding, cramping, and severe pain in my lower right quadrant. They did a trans-vaginal and was then sent for a CAT scan to try and diagnose the pain in my side. During the pelvic exam. I was told that my cervix was closed and I had a missed abortion and was then scheduled for a D & C. On the morning of the 27th, I'm pretty sure that I passed the sac. I never had any heavy bleeding or clots before or after. I did have some cramping on the 26th in the hospital. I barely have any bleeding at this point, just a little when I wipe after going to the washroom. Is this normal? The CAT scan was not able to show anything difinitive regarding the pressure and pain on my right side. My blood work also showed that a had a very high white blood cell count. The Dr's. seem to think that this may be becasue I had a laparoscopy in early Dec. Does any one have any suggestions. Any information would be appreciated. The past month has been a nightmare.
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INP
Hi YogaChick, thanks. Sorry, I'm not familiar with the term RE. I'm still trying to get used to the abbreviations.
Helpful - 0
685595 tn?1262279076
Hi INP-- it sounds like you are taking this all in stride, I'm just sorry you have to experience it at all.  I didn't bleed more than a week after my m/c & I never ended up needing the super giant diaper-like pads I bought special for the occasion.  It was a lot like a normal or light AF for me once I passed the 2 big clots (which were similar to the one you described).  

Are you working with an RE?  This could be a good time to get in the queue if you're not.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
INP
You are much stronger than I am to have had 6 m/c. I don't think that emotionally I would be able to withstand that. My fiance and I are fortunate because we are both fertile. We will try again, unfortuanately, having only one tube, issues with my uterus, and pushing 40 will make things a little trickier. We'll try again after a few cycles have passed, giving my body more time to be in the best shape possible to support a healthy pregnancy. I think also that having my 1st m/c there has been so much uncertainty and fear of the unknown. I'm so glad I found this site because everyone who has answered my post has been so helpful. Everyone on this site seems to be long time friends and it's quite comforting for a newbie! Thanks!
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623156 tn?1322865851
I'm so osrry for your loss. I have had 6 m/cs and 3 out of the 6 were 5-7 days. 2 were 14 days and the other one was  a week and then stopped and started for a week stopped and then a week later 2 more weeks and that went on for about 10 wks. It really depends on your body. If it was natural and your body does not shed all of the uteriine lining you end up with prolonged bleeding which may result in a d and c. Best wishes to you and I hope you have a quick recovery!

Hugs,
AP
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Avatar universal
INP
Thank you, I'm sorry for your loss too. I didn't realize how common m/c are. I guess I'm just getting worried because from everything I've read and my friends who have had m/c bled for much longer. I'm hoping my Dr. on Tues will send me for an U/S. I will definately keep you posted. Thanks.
Helpful - 0
663562 tn?1291131883
INP-- I am so sorry for your loss. I bled for about 8 days and that was it. I was 6 weeks along and m/c naturally. I, however did have a lot of clots. I think that every woman is different and what is normal for one person may not be the norm. for another. Hopefully your Dr. will have some answers on Tues. when your blood work comes back. Please keep us updated :) Good Luck Tuesday!
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Avatar universal
INP
I think that everything happens for a reason too. I don't think having surgery so early in my pregnancy helped. The good news then was that the pregnancy was in my uterus. Originally my Hcg was at 30000, then to 19000, and now 16000, waiting for the last bloodwork done yesterday. I also understand that the older we get the higher chance of miscarriage can occur...almost 40! I'm just concerned because from what the Dr.'s told me I would bleed for a couple of weeks after the miscarriage and it hasn't even been a week. The pain in my side also doesn't help. I see my Dr. next Tues. so hopefully he will have some answers. Thanks again. I'm glad I found this site.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry you are going through this. It is NEVER a good time for these sort of things to happen, but I know its especially hard around the holidays.
I feel that everything happens for a reason, and I feel that they kept pushing your D&C back, because you were going to pass it on your own. I decided against having a D&C because I wanted to let things happen naturally with my body. My levels reached 13000 at their highest, so I spotted/bled for almost 4 weeks straight, then stopped for a week then started up again for a little less than a week. I called my Dr and they said this is normal b/c my levels were still at a thousand or a little more (dont remember the exact #). So you may still spot on an off for a little while, depending on what your hcg is right now. I passed most of my tissue within a week, but for a few weeks thereafter, I passed little tiny bits of tissue every now and then as my hcg levels were still decreasing. However, everybody is different, and you may be done with the spotting/passing tissue. You'll have to let us know what you find out with your hcg levels.
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Avatar universal
INP
Thank you. They had me on the board scheduled for a D & C on Dec. 26th, but said it probably wouldn't happen until the 27th. The OR called on the morning of the 27th and said that the D & C was pushed back to the 28th. About an hour after OR had called I'm pretty sure I passed the sac. I scooped it up out of the toilet to show it to my Dr. It's about 2 inches in length. I'm assuming it's the sac and embryo, however, i've never gone through this before. The D & C was cancelled yesterday based on the description I gave the Dr. on what I had passed.
The CT scan ruled out appendicitis. They think the pain is caused by an cyst that often develops when women become pregnant. In the beginning of Dec. I had the laparoscopy because they thought it was ectopic pregnancy, but it was a cyst. The cyst was removed, but a couple of weeks after the surgery the pain came back. I was then told that it was because my uterus was enlarging due to the pregnancy and putting pressure on the area where I had the surgery.
They figure that my high white blood cell count has something to do with either this pregnancy cyst or my surgery. I was not given antibiotics. They did do more blood work on the 26th, but was not given the results. I had blood work done again yesterday, but will probably not get the results until after the holidays.
My spotting and bleeding has lasted me about a week starting on the 24th of Dec., with no clotting. That's why I was wondering if this is normal.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry for your loss. Did you end up having the D&C?
Did they put you on antibiotics? I'm assuming they ruled you out for ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis with the CT scan and ultrasound???
I started my m/c on Oct 30 and didn't actually start passing tissue until Nov 9. I stopped spotting/bleeding mid Dec so the whole process for me lasted 6 weeks! Have you had any more hcg levels drawn to see what your levels are?
Helpful - 0
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