Few questions - just had early m/c.

[Shanti]

I am hoping someone can help me with my questions? I am seeing my GP tomorrow for a chat aswell but just incase she can't answer my questions, i thought i would ask you girls on BB seeing as there is so much wisdom on this BB site -

I just had a very early m/c (4.1wks) on 09Nov. I am still bleeding quite heavily from it but the majority of it is over. So 3 days of bleeding now. I don't have any pain like cramps anymore which is good.
DH and I feel ready to start ttc again this cycle once this bleeding stops.

My questions are -

* Is this bleeding basically now my AF? does it count as my AF?
* Is it safe to TTC so soon after having an early m/c?
* Do i need to have a D&C? (i don't even know what one is?)
* Should we wait 1 more cycle before trying? (we really don't want to).
* I've been told that when you have an early m/c, it's almost like "flushing" your system out in a way hence some women fall pregnant straight after - is this true? (for some)

Thanks for your time.

[STARRYSKY]

hi renstar,
not really sure about the first two, but I know that when you have a d&c (as I did) which is dilation and curettage- a procedure where the cervix is dilated and then the uterus is scraped to remove the lining, usually done under general anaesthetic, the docs recommend not having sex until the bleeding stops or two weeks, to limit the risk of infection.
Unless you have been specifically told not too, there is no reason not to ttc straight away, we were naughty and started about a week after.
and your last question, no idea but I have heard that too.
hope that helps.
becxxx

[Antheia]

Is this bleeding basically now my AF? does it count as my AF?
I'm not sure, but i would think so.

* Is it safe to TTC so soon after having an early m/c?
Yes, my doctor said most people wait 3mths just to get their 'mind' ready to TTC but it is perfectly fine to TTC straight away. However, it is good to wait 1 month so that if you did fall pregnant stright away then you have a 'normal' AF to go off working out your EDD.

* Do i need to have a D&C?
Only if the bleeding continues to be heavy. I bleed for about 7-8 days i think all very heavy which i was told is normal. If you keep passing lots of clots though i'd go see a doctor about getting one though.

* Should we wait 1 more cycle before trying? (we really don't want to).
Same as answer no.2. We didn't. I don't see the harm in trying again straight away if thats what you and DH really want.

I've been told that when you have an early m/c, it's almost like "flushing" your system out in a way hence some women fall pregnant straight after - is this true? (for some)
Yes i have heard this too. Same as giving birth. Some women fall pregnant easily after giving birth because they're more fertile straight after.

[Shanti]

Thanks Starbright - very helpful!!

Thanks Tegan!! As always, extremely helpful.

[Beaksie]

Hi Ren, just about the D&C. Im certainly no expert, but I think it would be unlikely you'll need to have a d&c because your loss was very early. Ive had 3 MC'c and only a d&c with the last one because 1. It was missed, which means I didnt start to bleed on my own. Meaning that the baby died, but didnt come away (sorry tmi)
2. the gestation. Because it was a bit later (9weeks) the gestational sack was larger, so there was more to expel
I know its very confusing, and sounds really heartless with the medical terms they use (dont be offended if the gp refers to your loss as an abortion, because thats the medical terminology). It's all hard to get your head around, and not nice when you have your much wanted baby referred to in such a clinical way, but hopefully you'll be able to try again ASAP, and your next pregnancy will result in a lovely squirming little bundle of joy. Take care

[slyder]

Hi Ren, you've already got some good advice here, and I'll say this as well...

My questions are -

* Is this bleeding basically now my AF? does it count as my AF?

Yes. Remember, a m/c at that stage is the failure of the embryo to stay attached to the endometrium. The embryo was a cluster of cells (100s/1000s) and wouldn't have been visible to the naked eye. Therefore, in theory, your AF shouldn't be significantly heavier than normal.

* Is it safe to TTC so soon after having an early m/c?

I believe so, given how early this one was, but check with your doc. As you said in your other thread, this happens every day to women and they don't even know, and therefore don't modify their TTC. I think it may have even happened to DW and I pre-IVF (wonder of wonders )

* Do i need to have a D&C? (i don't even know what one is?)

No. A Dilation and Curettage removes foetal tissue from the uterus when it cannot be effectively expelled by the body. This is more likely to occur towards the end of the first trimester, and certainly not in your case, so don't worry about that.

* Should we wait 1 more cycle before trying? (we really don't want to).

I wouldn't have thought so.

* I've been told that when you have an early m/c, it's almost like "flushing" your system out in a way hence some women fall pregnant straight after - is this true? (for some)

Have heard this - don't know. Doesn't sound like fertility is an issue for you guys so it's a bit irrelevant!

Good luck, Ren.

[Visitor7]

How did you go at the dr's today, did you get all your questions answered?

[Shanti]

Beaksie - thanks heaps. my doc was pretty gentle with the terms used, i think i've found a "winner" in this doc thats for sure, shes great... really really nice doctor.
Slyder - thank you! You've been extremely helpful in answering my questions. i feel alot better about it all now and not so "misinformed". im very grateful that i dont need to have a D&C! and thanks, yes i do hope we are a very fertile couple!!! i feel so lucky if that is the case, i really do feel so lucky if we are! time will tell...

Jodi - thank you for asking, yes the doc appointment today couldnt have gone better! this is the 2nd time i've ever seen this doctor and she is really great. I explained my situatoin and what happened Friday etc and she had a sad look on her face like she really felt for me (which is unusual for a gp!) and she asked me questions and we talked about a few things and i asked more questoins and she said that there is no reason to wait to ttc so she said go right ahead if we feel ready (and we do!) and she said that its a good thing we have fallen pregnant first month and that we should hopefully have some good news in the next couple of mths and she is expecting me back to see her soon with good news! oh, and she also said to wait until AF is 2 weeks late before i test....by that stage i would probably have symptoms anyway!!! she said avoid testing before AF is due (i understand now why docs say this)
she also said that most first time pregnancies end like this, early m/c and that there is nothing we did wrong at all (i knew that).

I am just so grateful now that my body detected something wrong, so so soon into the pregnancy rather than later.

thank you everyone, i feel so much better about it all now and i understand it all better now with the info you have given me. *hugs*

[hj1981]

Hello Renee - thanks for asking those questions!
Especially the first one! i have been wanting to ask that aswell!
As you know im in the same boat as you!
i have stopped bleeding however had bad cramps yesterday - 2 days after bleeding stopped
hope that dosent mean anything bad - anyideas anyone????

[Shanti]

HJ - not sure what the cramps mean? but someone may be able to help you - i'm sending you a big :hugs:

[LachiesMum]

Renstar - glad to hear all went well at your doctors appointment! I didn't need a D&C with any of my miscarriages and was told that the waiting period often recommended following a miscarriage was more about our emotional states than the physical reasons! I believe i've recently suffered a missed miscarriage and I intend to start trying again straight away.

HJ - My 2nd M/C was at 9.5 weeks and I had some cramps after the bleeding had stopped, turned out for me it was my body expelling the last remains of the pregnancy and the next day I passed some small clots.

[tempus moriendi]

Dear Renstar, first of all, so sorry for your loss. I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
I was a little confused. At the time you first posted, had you ever stopped bleeding after the mis? Or did you bleed, stop, then have AF later.
But anyway, my first diagnosed miscarriage was 27 days old post conception. The doctor didn't put any restrictions on when we could try again.
However, the bleeding of miscarriage doesn't count as AF when the docs tell you to wait. In your case, it probably doesn't matter anyway because it was so early.
Good luck.