When will I start to miscarry?

[Eileen4055]

I had my first prenatal appointment on a Tuesday, 5 days ago. At the time I should have been approaching 8 weeks pregnant but was found to be 6 weeks 2 days with no fetal heart tones.

The diagnosis of miscarriage was confirmed 3 days later on a Friday in the ER.

My quants had been 48,000 at the time of my first appointment Tuesday, then reached 49,500 2 days later on Thursday -but dropped to 46,000 by the time I reached the ER on Friday.

I have no way of knowing how long the baby has been gone since my cycles were all over the place and we questioned the actual gestational age from the very beginning.

I am not bleeding and I have been experiencing mild cramping all weekend. I worry that my body may not identify the miscarriage and that I may not pass the pregnancy on my own. -Can that happen?

I prefer to let Mother Nature take it's course, but the waiting is killing me. -Should I opt for a D&C?

HELP!

[Eileen4055]

Thank you so much for all of you information. I ended up going with a d&c 8 days after my first prenatal appointment and once I saw and knew for sure that the baby was in fact gone. The final ultrasound showed a long-gated sac with a fetus that was partially dissolved by this time. It was apparent what my body was attempting to do, but from an emotional standpoint I could no longer bare to wait it out. I was already in such a deep depression that I needed to go with the surgical method. Thankfully, it was not as bad as it was 19 years ago when I had my first d&c. I had a lot of support this time from my husband and family. That helped quite a bit. We are planning on trying again in a couple of months, once I am emotionally well enough to move forward. Thank you.

[mjmom69]

I hope you are doing ok. I'm so sorry you have to go thru this. I would wait if I were you also, for a little while. Things can turn around. As for miscarriage, it can take awhile. I didn't know my baby had died 3 weeks earlier. A week after I found out, I had the D&C because it was so hard to know and nothing happen, it was traumatic. But I knew for sure. Once it is confirmed, then you can make the decision for a D&C or not. It can still take up to 6 weeks for your body to get the message. that is a long time to know there is no hope and just wait. It was too hard for me. I wish I could've waited for it to happen naturally but I feel I made the right decision for me. I wish you the best and hope you get some good news soon. Let me know if you have any questions or I can help with anything.

[rccresswell]

That makes it all very promising for everyone that is in the process of miscarrying.  Thank you for that!!!!

[LilTq]

It's taken me up to 7 weeks for my body to realize it. Everyone is different. It is best to wait it out even tho I know it is very nerve racking. Make sure you have miscarried. If there is a massive drop in levels then you will know for sure and if your body still has yet to recognize it talk to the doc about speeding it up. I can say tho my sister was in a similar situation and went back a couple weeks later to find out her levels had spiked again after dropping alot, her baby was a slow start he was 3 weeks behind. after she waited there was a heartbeat. So wait it out. for at least 3 weeks and then talk to the doc. i wish you the best of luck.

[rccresswell]

I am so sorry for your loss.  I think each miscarriage is different.  I miscarried at 14 weeks with no symptoms or pain except spotting.  It was literally one day I was spotting and the next night my son was out.
When they tested him they said he had stopped growing between 10 and 11 weeks.  With that I think it could take up to 3 weeks for your body to recognise it.  I had no knowledge I was going to miscarry but my son came away naturally.
I can't imagine what you must be going through and I believe it would be difficult but do what you feel is right for yourself.  I am pleased mine was natural but I think the waiting game would be unbearable.