M/C How long to wait to bleed?

I found out last week at 5.5weeks my pregnancy wasn't progressing. I am yet to bleed or have any signs I am about to. I was up at the hospital with abdo pain and ?ectopic and they said at 5-6weeks they don't do D&C. I was referred to a clinic who said it can take up to three weeks and to just wait it out. In my experience it can take longer then even three weeks. Just wondering how long its taken to m/c spontaneously for others who have being in this place? I can't return to work until this is over because of the line of work I do and I feel like I can't move on until its over. Not that I want a D&C but the thought of waiting three weeks really does my head in.
Also as this is the third time it has happened (The first time I found out at 6.5weeks because I started bleeding, the second I was 4.5weeks when I found out and it took over a week to start) does anyone know what sort of tests they can do to see why this is happening?
Thanks for any replies.

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss and understand the heartache you must be feeling.

In relation to your question, I found at that I lost my baby at 11 weeks and it took another 3 days for the bleeding to begin. I did not have a D&C and m/c at home.
My second one was at 6 weeks and I knew I had lost the baby when the sharp pains across my abdomen started and right away the bleeding.

I guess I just wanted to let you know that every m/c is different for every person who must go through it. I have not heard of it taking so long....surely there is something they can give you to help speed the process up.

Take care and hang in there.
xxxx

Sorry to hear about your loss.

With my two MC I started to bleed when my period was due. This is how I actually know that there were problems in the first place.
My first MC stopped growing at 4weeks and 4 days but I carried until 9 weeks and my second stopped at 5weeks and 3 days amd I carried until 8 weeks.

From what I have been told most places do not do a D&C if you are under 10 weeks in development because the body usually self aborts.

Nae x

I'm so sorry for your loss--the waiting is horrible. I found out there was a problem when I went in for my scan at 9 1/2 weeks, and the baby measured at 6 wks 5 days. It took about a week and a half for the bleeding to start, and it lasted for about 3 weeks. This probably varies from person to person, and even pregnancy to pregnancy. Take care, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks ladies for your replies. Its being 8days since I suspected things were going pear shaped (again) and so far nothing. Went for a scan today which showed an empty gestational scan and detreiorating endometrium as they put it. So I am still waiting. Thats what I am finding the hardest is the waiting for it to be over. Thanks again for your replies.