Pregnant after MMC, looking for support

[WP0609]

Hi All,

While I have a very supportive husband, I still feel very alone sometimes because I don't think he quite gets what it feels like from my perspective. I have PCOS and do not normally ovulate on my own. We got our first BFP in Novemeber 2013 on our third round of Clomid (first round at 100mg). It was a little rocky from the start with lots of cramping. We had an early scan at 6 1/2 weeks and everything looked ok and we saw the heartbeat but found out at our ultrasound at 8 1/2 weeks that the baby had stopped growing at 6 1/2 weeks and there was no longer a heartbeat. I waited to miscarry naturally but I didn't so I had a D&C two days before Christmas. We waited till our second normal cycle to start TTC again. We did 100mg of Clomid and I got a BFP at 13dpo. That was Monday 4/7/14. My doctor confirmed with bloodwork and everything appeared to be progressing normally. HCG went from 30 something on 4/8 to 90 something on 4/10. My doctor prescribed me progesterone suppositories to help support the pregnancy because I had a corpus luteum cyst that ruptured last time. This past Tuesday on 4/15 I woke up at 2:30am with some light bleeding mixed with the cream left over from the suppository. It was sort of orange in color since the progesterone is yellow but had it not been mixed, I assume it would have been pinkish red. The bleeding didn't last long and was completely done by the time I woke up at 7:00am. I contacted my doctor and she had me come in. Since the bleeding had stopped, she did not do an exam because she said it wouldn't tell us anything. She sent me for bloodwork Tuesday which came back as 700 something. I go tonight for additional bloodwork to see if my levels are still rising followed by an ultrasound next Friday. I've been having a significant amount of cramping and lower backache since Tuesday but no additional bleeding.

So, I guess I'm just scared that I'm having another miscarriage. Has anyone had light bleeding one day and cramping/backache but went on to have a normal pregnancy?

Is the progesterone the only thing preventing my body from continuing to bleed?

I want to hold out hope but it's so hard. just looking for someone that understands...

 

[Starry Night]

I've never used progesterone but I have heard that it can cause spotting. Hopefully that is all the spotting is from. It is very nerve-wracking being pregnant again after a loss. Good luck with your blood work and scan.

 

[dairymomma]

Spotting is a common side effect with progesterone supplements and it's more common with the suppositories/pessiaries since you are putting the progesterone more or less directly on or near the cervix. (Progesterone can cause cervical irritation which can sometimes lead to spotting.) Cramps and backache are normal pregnancy symptoms for the first trimester so as long as there isn't any increase in bleeding or the cramps aren't one-sided, then I would try not to worry. And as for your question of progesterone delaying a miscarriage, I've been told it won't keep you pregnant if the pregnancy isn't viable. Does that make sense?

And I totally get where you are coming from. I've had 8 miscarriages and have only been able to go to term if I'm on progesterone and baby aspirin (and not always even then). I also have unexplainable bleeding in my first trimester even with my successful pregnancies so I really understand your fears. All I can say is hang in there and know that it is possible to go to term after having a bleed. Good luck and hope your next labs show that everything is still going along okay!

 

[K123]

I'm pregnant after a MMC too and spotting and it's terrifying. Mine is because of an ectropion cervix (basically some inside cells on outside so it bleeds easily), and while I know there is a non-scary reason for it, it still scares me every time I see blood. I'd take the bleeding stopping as a good sign - and hopefully your scan next week will bring good news