Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Miscarriage? Still Pregnant? Swelling and Spotting!

by Carrie
(Montana)

In December 2009 I missed my period. I took 3 pregnancy tests and they all came out positive, a couple weeks later I started bleeding very badly.

I went to the hospital thinking I'd had a miscarriage, they took a blood test and said I wasn't pregnant. I went home and took another pregnancy and it was positive.

The OBGYN at our hospital sent me in for an ultrasound. They said the lining of my uterus was very thick indicating I could have been pregnant and had a miscarriage.

I told them blood work came back negative and she said going through ER sometimes they have been known to mess up on the blood tests.

She wanted me to come in for follow up but I had just lost my grandma the same time I started bleeding; I was in so much grief I didn't go in for a follow up. It was the same hospital overdosed my grandma's medicine (that's why she died), so I didn't even want anything to do with the hospital at that time.

I figured that maybe I'd miscarried and went on with life, it took about 7 weeks to get another period after I bled in December. My next period was Feb. 14th. I have very heavy bleeding and bad cramps. It lasted about 7 days.

I bought OPK to see if I had ovulated, but had trouble using it. My next period was Mar. 17th and I had heavy bleeding for 2 days, then since then I have been spotting everyday (21 days) sometimes its really red and other times its brown.

I felt my stomach the other day and it's swollen, I can't fit any of my jeans, I had to go buy new jeans 2 sizes bigger. I feel bloated all the time, tired in the afternoon, and in the past week a certain way I move I get a cramp in my stomach on the right side.

I've gained weight about 20 lbs in the last few months, but if I gain weight it's usually in my legs and hips never in my stomach. I usually have a small waist now my weight has been all in my stomach.


Maybe I have a fibroid that's growing if I'm not pregnant. I not sure, I don't trust my hospital, but I know I'll have to make an appointment if these symptoms continue, thought I put my story out there to see if anyone has experienced what I am going through, any comment and advice would be appreciated.

Answer:

Hi Carrie,

I'm sorry things have been so frustrating for you with the hospital, and I'm sorry for your loss of your grandma.

I know how aggravating and scary things can be with a hospital. I had a bad experience when I was very early pregnant with my first - she was too small to be seen on ultrasound in the ER and they told me I'd probably miscarried. Well my little miss is now 8 years old and plenty healthy. It's aggravating that hospitals don't listen and make so many careless errors.

It may be that you did have a miscarriage before. It's also normal to have a very heavy period after you've not had one for a couple of months (and it's normal for cycles to take some time to get back to normal after a miscarriage).

I would be concerned about the continuous spotting and the swelling, though. Is it possible for you to avoid the hospital all together and make an appointment with a doctor you trust? Or are there any midwives in your area who may be willing to help you?

If that's not possible and you want to get things checked out in the hospital, I'd consider taking somebody with you. A friend or family member you trust that can be with you, and be there to speak up for you if you need it. They can also keep an eye out to make sure that scans and tests aren't be done carelessly.

Have you tried taking another pregnancy test to see what it says? There are women who experience bleeding and spotting during pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby - so you could try another test.

Good luck to you, and let me know if you need anything else Carrie.