Need Help with AF ( might be TMI for some)

Hey All
I miscarried our twins at 11 weeks in May and AF returned exactly 4 weeks since I lost them. I am now on my third cycle and very excited because we can start TTC again ( I had to wait three months because I had a rubella shot). My concern is about the appearance of my menstrual blood. Since AF returned it has looked very red, like fresh blood, if that makes sense, and it smells fresh. I know it sounds gross but I have always had menstrual blood that has just been a dark, sort of dull red. This is freaking me out, because this cycle I have also had some clots which appear to be almost a black red. I am just concerned that maybe my uterine lining has not recovered and I am a bit scared about TTC if that is the case. I had to have a D&C after I lost the twins and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the changes. I have searched the net to find some answers, but I can't find any info about this.

hi leyza,

i started seeing a chinese herbalist around 6 weeks ago. one of her aims was to make my AF more bright red with clots etc as previously it used to be very dull/brownish. i had my first AF since seeing her a couple of weeks ago and it was just like you described and like my herbalist was aiming for. i visualised it as a real cleanout and this is what my herbalist wanted, to make my lining ready to support implantation.

maybe having af like this is a sign of fertility, as previously i have heard you are very fertile after having a d&c and maybe this is part of the reason why?

I always thought that bright red AF was healthiest - it means that your body is replenishing fresh liing and not shedding old, dull lining.

After a D&C it is also easier to fall pregnant (well, so they say).

Good luck with your TTC journey!!

I have just been through the same thing and found my blood to be very red, strong smelling and lots and lots of clots. I was just as worried and posted in the period section, but now I think maybe we are normal. Do you have no pain with the clots. I have no pain and after they all come out the flow really slows off.

considering we had our entire uteris lining removed it would make sense that what we are passing is fresh - all that crud that had built up over time got cleaned out, I'm thinking of it as a grease and oil change. The changes to my AF are scarry, but only because I'm not used to it, but I am sensing a pattern, and after reading the posts on here I am now convinced that bright red with clots is good, it means that our uteris is sheading properly and that every month we are going to have a healthy lining for our next baby to implant in.

I'm holding your hand through this one as I have the same feelings as you.

I wouldnt be too concerned, your body is bound to alter after such a traumatic event. After my MC the blood did apear redder, fresher. I didnt have a D&C though....Did you have an US after the D&C to ensure it was fully successful? If you are very concerned i would see your GP, but what you are seeing seems par for the course.
Good luck TTC again! :)

I think it's probably normal. It sounds very like my first AF after giving birth actually. It came as a bit of a shock to me for much the same reasons as you. I figure it's what happens after you have a major clean out.

I would say it is fairly normal too.
After having a D&C in 2006, my AF was bright and slightly clotty too... I fell pregnant on my 3rd cycle after the D&C with Harrison.

Thanks so much for your replies. I think the concensus is that it is really normal, so nothing to be concerned about. I guess I just wanted some opinions from other women that have been through the trauma of miscarriage. I don't have any pain with the clots or my AF in general, the occasional cramp, but very rarely. I am hoping that things go well this month and we get pregnant, it would be great to fall straight away :pray: , but we will see what happens. I can start testing for ovulation on the 11th, so next week is going to be a big week for us :lol: . Need to make sure we have lots of quality time.
Again, thankyou all for the support and advice.
Have a great weekend :D

Leyza,
They do say it can be easier to get pregnant after a D&C. I didn't want to try on the first cycle after mine, and we tried on the 2nd and were unsuccessful... then we decided not to try on the 3rd cycle because that would mean our baby would be born close to Noah's birthday... but having DTD once unprotected during that cycle was all it took for us to get our perfect little man Harrison! He gave us a reason to be happy during the month of February.
Wishing you loads of success hun. :hug:

I hope this isnt TMI for you. However, I had a missed miscarriage in November last year and the first period I had afterwards was BRIGHT RED but was like a bottle of wine tipped upside down in flow.. it just wouldnt stop and I was passing out.
Paul had to call an ambulance as it got to the point where I could barely stay 'With it'. his parents bathroom was also getting covered in blood as I tried to withold the flow with tissue and it got too much, my clothes were saturated and I felt like I was dieing because of the pain, literally.

The ambos arrived and said they thought I was miscarrying. I had to explain there was no way I could be and that I had previously had a d/c and was awaiting my period but wasnt sure what to expect... he said "not this sweety". I had to have another d/c and they told me I had RPOC (remaining products of conception) STILL in my uterus due to the previos d/c not being fully effective. I was mortified but glad to have it over and done with the flow back to normal. However, after 2 D/CS I was really uncertain and frightened as to what to expect...

The next month I came onto the most painful and dark brown period I have ever had, almost black! I was told it was normal and not to worry but it was like.. uh slimey and horrid, almost tar like! I had another period a month later the same and got quite worried something wasnt right... it was then they started investigating.

A month later my period came , fresh red blood with a few clots in JUST LIKE YOU HAVE DESCRIBED and they told me 'normal at last'... PHEW! I have since had a few months of these type of periods and then last week I had a lap/ dye operation to investage infertility...
I woke up bleeding and have had a mini period I would say, a week after my normal period ...(due to operation).
I am hoping now with my holiday coming up that my period will be normal when it returns... then I can start ttc with gusto, galloping towards a big fat BFP one day. HERES HOPING.

I think by the sounds of it, your period is normal. BUT and I say this with capitals... IF YOU feel at all worried pop into your local gynae ward and just ask them to take a little look and get your worries put to rest.
Seriusly, if your at all worried Im sure your doc wouldnt mind putting your worries to rest with a checkup. However, I hope it is just normal for you and that you can get on with life and get your much wanted BFP and baby in your arms one day.