Understanding Viable Pregnancy After a Missed Miscarriage: What to Do?

Question
after having a missed miscarriage 4mths ago, i was excited to find myself pregnant again just over a week ago, i was sent for serial hcg levels only to be told this this pregancy wasnt viable as the levels were dropping...On the friday i was told to expect to start bleeding in the next 24 hours, well its too days later, and a pregnancy test came back pos within 30secs...so now im confused, am i going to miscarry, or did they get it wrong, should i demand a scan. i dont know what to do.

Answer
Hi Katrina,
          hCG can remain in your system for up to 4wks which is why the test is showing up positive. I'm afraid to say that falling hCG levels means that the pregnancy is failing & that it's only a matter of time before a miscarriage is inevitable.

They may not have offered you a scan because you're so early in the pregnancy, even an internal scan may not show up much. Are they monitering your hCG?

Because you've already had a missed miscarriage your body may retain the pregnancy for longer than usual, if you have been offered a D&C I would recommend this to prevent any problems in the future.

I had a blighted ovum (the embryo hadn't developed properly) & it was estimated that it had stopped developing at about 5wks. I didn't have a miscarriage until almost 11wks, which was incomplete and resulted in surgery that I'd turned down.

If you're concerned then by all means have a chat with your healthcare provider. You can request a scan and/or monitering of hCG levels, but falling levels means that the pregnancy is failing, especially at a time when they shpuld be rising quickly.
In the meatime, do be prepared for the event. Make sure that you have plenty of sanitary protection when you're out. Carry a cellphone at all times if you have one or can get access to one. You can start bleeding at any time, if only I knew exactly what to expect!
If you get severe pain (particularly if it's one sided) and/or heavy bleeding then seek medical advice asap. The same if you continue to bleed heavily for more than a few days.

I'm so sorry that you're going through this again. I wish you the best of luck for the future & hope that next time your pregnancy will go on to produce a healthy baby.

If I can be of any more service, please don't hesitate o contact me.

Kindest Regards
Sarah