Post-Miscarriage Bleeding: What to Expect & When to Worry

Question
Hi,

On the 24 September 2007 I had a D&E for a missed miscarriage at 11wks. After the D&E the bleeding was heavy for two days then light and then heavy again with cramps for a few days. All bleeding stopped after a week and a half and I took antibiotics to prevent an infection. I took a pregnancy test a week after the D&E which was positive with a strong line and another pregnancy test three weeks after the D&E which had a faint line. Another test four weeks after the D&E which had an even fainter line. On the 24 October 2007 4wks and three days after D&E I took another pregnancy test which had a very very faint line because I started spotting very lightly pinkish/reddish for three days but not at night and it stopped. I took another on the 28 October with a 10ml test which was negative (all the other pregnancy tests I was using was 25mul. From 04 November about 6wks after D&E I have been bleeding extremely heavy with clots (changing pads every two hrs today) but I'm confused because the HCG must have only left my system completely about a maximum of 7 days prior to this heavy bleeding according to my pregnancy tests also I have read that you have to have at least 20 day of no bleeding or spotting for it to be a real period but I had the few days of spotting about 7 days before this heavy bleeding. I am so stressed out and upset and wanted to know of is it possible for my period to have started so quickly after the HCG leaving my system and for it to be a real period even though I had the three days of spotting prior to this heavy bleed that I am now experiencing with cramps and backache etc? Is there any tests that can be done to be sure of this? If it is my period did I ovulate before it started.

Thanks you so much, your help is greatly appreciated.

Clauds

Answer
Hello Clauds,
I am very sorry that you lost your pregnancy.  Sounds like this has been a long, difficult process.  It is very likely you did ovulate and are now having a period.  If I understand you correctly, you started your bleeding yesterday.  Are your periods generally heavy and how long do you normally bleed? Are you normally crampy with a backache? This might just be your body's way of resetting itself.  I generally follow people with serum (or blood) hCG levels but what you describe sounds like everything was falling at a normal rate.

If the bleeding and cramping gets worse or doesn't slow down in a day or two, or you get a fever,  you should probably be seen by your provider.

I know this is a difficult time.  Try resting with a heating pad and some hot tea.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Vicki