How Do You Know Whether You Miscarried?

D.

I would call your doctor and have them do a blood test. Your symptoms seem similar to the ones I had when I had a miscarriage. I had spotty periods 2 months in a row, but each time I took a pregnancy test (I took 4 of them), they came out negative. The day I was going in for tests to figure out why I was having the spotty periods, I miscarried, but didn't know it. The pain was so bad I had to pull over on the highway on the way to my test, and I had serious heavy bleeding. 2 weeks later I rec'd my test results and they showed that I was pregnant, the hcg was just so low the pregnancy test couldn't detect it, therefore, I did have a miscarriage the day I thought. I am also O- and my husband is O+, so I was worried that I hadn't had the RH factor shot within the 72 hr window, but as it turned out, I didn't have any antibodies.

When I miscarried I had heavy bleeding wih dark clots before I passed the fetus. The pain I had was cramping (like really bad menstrual cramping) leading up to the miscarriage and when the actual miscarriage was happening I had severe cramping with pains also in my back and going down my thighs. I would definitely go to your doctor to verify either way wh you are having the bleeding. Mytest came back posotive but that was 2 weeks before i miscarried. I miscarried at 8 weeks. I hope this is not what you are going through and I am truley sory for you loss if it is. However, all things unfortunately happen for a reason and obviously something was not right and you can try again. I have since had a beautiful baby girl.

I had a miscarriage about 7 months ago and from my own experience, I initially started having crampy feelings (like a period/but worse) and then I started bleeding and most of the time it was bright red too! I dont' want to scare you, but my bleeding lasted for at least two weeks and the cramps did too! Finally after the 3rd day of bleeding, I went to the Dr. to check things out. They did an ultrasound and determined that I was 6 weeks pregnant and I saw the heartbeat and everything. I was excited about that, but at the same time, I knew that the amount of bleeding I was having was not normal (neither was all the cramping), so I went home and a couple days later I was still in pain and bleeding (sometimes I would bleed a lot and sometimes not so much) and decided to go back to the Dr. again.. and on that very visit, I had the miscarriage. I hope my information hels you out! I don't know your cycle, but you could be taking the tests too early still! If you have any doubts, go to your Doctor, good luck!

Have you talked to your doctor? You may need to be checked for a tubal pregnancy. Is your blood type negative? If so then you may need a shot of Rhogam. I'd call the doctor just to be sure & yes I had 2 miscarriages.

Typically when you miscarry if you are not that far along you will bleed like when you have a normal period. I have not heard of anyone starting and then stopping but it is possible i suppose. I had 3 miscarriages myself. The first one I was 3 months along and I was bleeding heavy and had very bad pains that came along with it. Also, I was far enough along that when I went to the hospital they started pulling tissue out of me. I underwent a d&c as well to make sure all tissue etc. was out. I had a second miscarriage with twins when I was 5 months along. I went through the d&c a second time. Then the third time I was 2 months along and ended up having another d&c. You may have miscarried too early for a test to even come up positive though. I would suggest going to see your ob/gyn and have them check you out just to be sure. Should you have miscarried it should have been early enough to where any and all tissue should have bled out and if not you may have to have a d&c. Also, most of the time you will pass big blood clots not little ones during a miscarriage. I would definitley go see your doctor though if you are unsure. If you did miscarry I am very sorry for you and I hope that the next pregnancy will go fine for you.
D.

I am 31. I have been married going on 12 yrs. this Nov.. I work part time doing construction work and my husband is a diesel mechanic. We have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

Hi, D.,

I have had a miscarriage and what is called a chemical pregnancy. That is when the process starts but for some reason the egg doesn't attatch or there is another malfunction and it spontaneously aborts. It is very early on that the chemical pregnancy goes south, so alot of women have them and don't even know. They just think they are having a heavy, more painful period. Usually with a chemical pregnancy you know because it shows up on an at home pregnancy test.

You could have had a chemical pregnancy or you could have just had a freaky period. They happen and they are so upsetting. Life is so crazy that, as bizarre as it seems, there are times when the only thing you CAN count on is your period, and when things don't run like they are supposed to it's like someone tipped your apple cart.

Good luck with the pregnancy plans. I firmly believe that all children are a gift from God himself, and he knows exactly when he plans for that little one to arrive, so just rest easy and have fun trying!

Hi Darcy! When my husband and I decided that we were ready to start a family, I had been on the pill. I was advised to stop taking it 3 months before we tried to get pregnant. My periods were about the same the first couple of months and then after that, they got kind of screwed up (more painful cramps, on and off blood flow, irregular spotting) for a few months until they became normal again. I don't know if you were on any kind of hormonal contraceptive, but if you were, that could be your problem. Good luck with everything!

Hello D.,
This is my first response on Mamasource so bear with me. I have miscarried twice but I was around 6 weeks along. Once on fertility drugs and once not on anything. It was about 18 years ago. The only thing I recall is the really bad cramping, I don't recall being in the pain you have mentioned but everyone's pain tolerance is different. The blood was red and would be clottie at times. I did know I was pregnant because tests said positive and had to get a ultrasound followed by 6 weeks every week of blood work to make sure my hormone numbers were going down. If I were you I would call your GYN doctor and talk to the nurse at least. Just to give you peace of mind. Good luck D. and I pray you have a positive tests real soon.I hope this helps.
Marsha B.

I had a miscarriage in between my two kiddos. Here are the basics: I knew that I was pregnant with positive pregnancy tests. Then, at 10 weeks, I started bleeding and cramping. 2 days later I miscarried naturally. Since I as 10 weeks along, I could see the baby, who was about the size of my thumb. 7-10 days later my bleeding stopped on its own. I'm not sure if you weren't sure if you were pregnant before. As I said, I had had positive pregnancy tests and other signs that I was pregnant before I miscarried. If you were too early to see the baby or the baby died but is still in your uterus, I guess having an ultrasound would be the way to find out. But I would check with your dr. I pray that this isn't something that you are going through, as it is so very hard.

There is a lot of variation in the symptoms of a miscarriage. If you suspect that you miscarried, you should definitely see your doctor. Sometimes, women have partial miscarriages and need a D & C. I bled slightly for 2 days when I had a miscarriage and then started to hemorrage. So you should definitely be checked out by a physician to make sure everything is okay. Good luck!

Just check with your Dr. It will give you peace of mind either way. You will be in my prayers!

D.
I had a miscarriage a year and a half ago when my son was only 1. I was 7 weeks along at the time. The morning it happened was a normal morning and remember feeling a gush. The bleeding started at that point and lasted for an entire week solid. I do remember some cramping but nothing sever. I would encourage you to talk with your dr's office about the situation as you never know what it could be. I am sure they would be happy to talk with you via phone so you don't have to make a visit unless you know it is medically necessary. Looking back now I am still sad that I lost a child, but I know in the end God was watching out for my family as we now have a beautiful 6 month old baby girl. not sure if any of this has helped, but if you have any other questions just let me know. Good luck and God Bless

Hello. I miscarried last year. I was 7 weeks along and let me tell you, there was no question weather or not I was having a miscarriage! As soon as it started I went to the ER because I was in so much pain I could barely stand and the amount of blood and tissue that was expelled was incredible! I think that if you did have a miscarriage, you would definately know. Perhaps you have a fibroid? Or another issue going on. I would call your OB/GYN and make an appointment. Good luck to you and I hope you get that next baby soon!

I have had 4 miscarriages. Usually its like you are describing but, after really bad cramping you usually pass a sack of stuff maybe as big as your fist!However, you may need a dnc. Go to your doctor & get checked out! I ended up with 3 healthy beautiful children. I'm sorry you are going thru this.

I miscarried twice and it was the most painful, emotionally and physically, thing ever. In the beginning I had missed my period and then "didn't feel right". Both tests came back positive, but I miscarried before eight weeks. The doctor wan do a blood test if you're concerned. It may have been a heavier than usual period. But if it wa a miscarriage, please don't worry. I have two healthy kids now, thanks to hormonal treatments (I had a LUteal Phase Defect). Call your doctor of you're really worried.

M. mom of two

When I miscarried,I was 6 to 8 weeks along, I bled for two days, very bad, with a lot of lower back pains. The bleeding was worse than any period that I have ever had. The back pain was horrible. I think that you should contact your doctor and they can tell by doing a blood test. I miscarried with my first pregnancy and went on to have two perfectly healthy boys, don't give up.

The only way to know for sure is to have a blood test to see what your HCG quantitive level is. If is increased then, you could have been pregnant. I would see your OB/GYN just to make sure, especially if you are having that much pain... Good luck!!!!

G.

I've had 8 miscarriages (2 were ectopic). I can't tell you exactly what to watch for simply cause each time for me was different but from what you describe, I'd definately get to a dr. & get checked. I didn't worry about that my first time, thought I'd bled it all out so it was ok but ended up there was some internal bleeding (not much but enough to hurt things worse) and scarring. the scar tissue build up is what has helped to make sure I have a lot of trouble carrying full term. I'm not trying to scare you as even a possible m/c is scary enough, but at the same time, miscarriages aren't to be taken too lightly either.

I miscarried about 8 weeks ago. It took 3 weeks of bleeding to be done. I didn't even know that I was pregnant (none of the normal signs) and called the doctor because what I thought was an unusually long and crampy period. They had me take a pregnancy test and it was barely positive. Had blood work to confirm and then follow up bloodwork to make sure everything had passed. It was very very difficult and sad. I still dream about the baby I will never have. I suggest calling your OB/GYN just to go over the symptoms list. It can be different for everyone.
God Bless you as you are going through a challenging time with not knowing one way or the other.

I had three miscarriages and it sounds very similar to what I experenced. You can always go to your doctor. They should be able to tell. Good luck!

To find out for sure you should just see your dr. If you are having a miscarriage then you need to be careful to make sure you pass everything. If not you could get a serious infection. I know this sounds insensitive and I am sorry. I too have had a miscarriage 6 yrs ago. I had a missed miscarriage. Meaning my body was not passing everything on its own. I started spotting just a little bit and went straight to my dr. and they could not find the heart beat so they had me have an ultra sound. Then it was confirmed. They baby quit developing. I So I had to go through a D&C. I hope you do not have to go through the emotional pain of a miscarriage. It is very hard. I hope everything is ok.
M.

the first time i missed carried i didn't even know i was pregnant. i got my period a week or two late and it was unbearable pain and super heavy , especially the first day, then a month later i was late and had reason to believe i was pregnant, took 4 home tests and all came back positive, freaked out, went to the doctor had one taken and it was neg. that was when i found out i had miscarried, if you had there would still be some hormone left in your system, chances are you didn't my regular perios is just what you described, but everyone's different. i was lucky and had a successful pregnancy 1.5 years later but devestated with 2 more miscarriage after my little girl- she's 3 now- my last (& 3rd) started in my psychology class when I was on campus- i recognized the signs, sadly 2 days before I had been given my due date of may 7, 2006, i hope you or anyone else never have to go through the pain and humiliation of that horrible and heartbreaking experience, i then drove myself, while miscarring to my ob who then scheduled my dnc(?) i think that's what it is called. i now, sadly, fear becoming pregnant again, i've been pregnant 4 times - i was 25 the last time- with only 1 successful one- i am now 27 and more than anything would love another baby but fear it at the same time, i hope u didn't have one but your dr is the only one who can say.