Early Miscarriage

Updated on November 28, 2006
J.M. asks from Maineville, OH
21 answers

I was wondering what everyone's opinions are on the newest pregnancy tests on the market. (The ones that say they can detect HCG levels five days before missed period). My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, and according to FOUR First Response tests, I was pregnant. Then at about 6 weeks, I had my period. The doctors drew blood and said yes I was pregnant, but yes I miscarried. They say those tests aren't that good of an idea because 60% of those early positive tests don't stay positive. My husband and I were excited to be having our baby, then we were let down. Doctors have no response or reason for this. They just say "it happens"! Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, have you decided just not to test until you are WAY past your period? Or would you keep using the tests even though you may be let down?

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So What Happened?

Just wanted to say thank you to anyone who responded to my message about miscarriages. It actually happened again (two times in a row) and we're not sure why yet. Possible low hormones, so I'm on progesterone supplements for now. I'm working through the sadness and am just hoping it happens sometime soon. In the meantime, I just focus on my wonderful baby boy that I already have! Thanks again!

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J.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Sadly, its very common and it happened to me too. When we were trying, I would test VERY early with the first response test. "They say" that 50% of pregnancies miscarry before you would be late so if you don't use this test, you would never have known. That is what they call a "chemical pregnancy". (any pregnancy that is not far enough along to diagnose by ultrasound and then is lost). However, you were 2 weeks late, so that is more of a miscarriage than a chemical pregnancy. I had both. One I lost at 5 weeks and one I lost at 9 weeks. I did finally give birth to healthy baby girl in June. :) I am sorry you are going through this, it is very hard.

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K.P.

answers from Toledo on

Hi J.,

I'm sorry to hear about your recent miscarrage. It's not easy to handle even @ such an early stage. Hang in there!

Those tests can be very dissappointing due to the fact that they are able to pick up a pregnancy in the very early stages. Unfortunately many of those pregnancy's are miscarried, making it difficult for the couple such as yourselves.

Years ago before the OTC pregnancy tests Drs. would order the pregnancy test 2-4 weeks after your missed period. In the meantime a pregnancy may have gone undetected due to a miscarriage, and mom didn't even know that she was pregnant.

There is a high rate of miscarriage in the first month, when most moms don't even realize it. There are many reasons for the loss. Everything has to be just right with the hormone balance and the fertilized egg in order for the pregnancy to continue.

It's an individual preference to know early, or wait until the missed period. Knowing early may be good so bad habits can be changed and early Prenatal care established. Although most Drs. may not see you until about 4 weeks after the missed period. On the other hand knowing early & then miscarrying can be very dissappointing.

In the mean time enjoy each other & your son.

Good luck to you in your future babies.

K. :)

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A.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi J.-

I'm sorry to hear that you miscarried. My advice to you to possibly get rid of false hope would be to wait until you are sure that you missed your period. You've experienced first hand that sometimes the tests are wrong and aren't always right. I know your anxious, as I was the same way. But I made myself wait 5 days after I missed my period to test. The results are more accurate and your only helping yourself out.
I wish you the best of luck!

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K.B.

answers from Columbus on

Hi J. --

I work for a 24/7 call center in Columbus, OH for "faith-based" pregnancy resource centers all over the country. We do receive calls about this often. The best advice would be for you to contact one of our pregnancy resource centers near you. All their services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL (including high quality pregnancy tests).

Some centers have more services than others. To Find a Center near you, go to our website www.optionline.org and click on Find a Center, then type in your zip code and click on Find Location. Hopefully, there's a center near you.

I wish you and your family the very best...

Prayerfully, K.

P.S. If you live in the Columbus area and you're looking for something to do part time, we are hiring... the pay isn't that great but the job is so rewarding.

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K.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hey J.!

The same exact thing happened to me...the doctors stated it was not a viable pregnancy....I just did not realize the stats were so high for that! We got pregnant first try the first time (when I miscarried as you did), so the next month we tried again and that time I was pretty sure I was pregnant but waited till as long as I could (I think it was 8-10 weeks...that seemed like an eternity!), took a test and it was positive and now my daughter is almost a year old! Next time I will probably use the same caution! Best wishes to you and your family!

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T.

answers from Detroit on

I have always had completely accurate results w/ EPT at 11 days post ovulation. I have heard that those tests that supposedly detect early pregnancy may sometimes deliver false positives. I'm sorry you had a miscarriage and hope you concieve very soon!!

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C.B.

answers from Cleveland on

J. M.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard but yes I kept using the tests even though I was miscarring a lot.
I do have an 18 yr old son and an 8 yr old son. I have been pregnant for a total of six times. My boys are from my first marriage and the other three miscarriages were from him. But I am remarried and the others I lost early like you just did. Or within the first month after being confirmed. But this last one with my husband happened two years ago. I had to have the baby removed as the umbilical cord blew off the baby as my blood pressure went so high.
I was 11 weeks along and we were ready to find out the sex. It has been hard but everything happens for a reason.
Even if we do not like the reason!
Keep trying. Maybe not so hard. It usually happens when you are NOT trying. You did not say how old you are but that is a factor as well. As for me I am 42 in December I turn 43 years old, I know Crazy to have another but I really want to, Heck I look 23 and feel 12 so why not! Plus, they keep you young!LOL
Most days anyways!!!!
Take care of yourself and make sure your at your ideal weight and all that. Eat right and do not take any medications even if your doctor tells you it is ok to take say cough syrup... this is all factors. And nine months is a SHORT time to do without to prevent any problems or questions later.
Now of course check with your doctor on everything FIRST but I sometimes over-ride mine--- And I tell him so!
As I refuse to take anything! Not even tylenol.
Good Luck and it will happen.
Pray and get involved with your child and your life and bam you will be there!

Again, I am sorry for your loss I do understand.
C.

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M.

answers from Cleveland on

Personally, I found out I was pregnant with my son at 4 weeks. The only one my dr. told me they weren't sure of were the digital ones. Other than that, I was told that they were pretty effective. I do know of people that have had false readings pos. and neg. Actually, the test was correct because you still have the pregnancy hormone in your body for a little while after you have a miscarriage. Good luck on your "trying"!

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P.J.

answers from Columbus on

First off I want to send my dearest sorry for your loss, I have had three miscarriages. I never thought that I would have children and the doctors will not do any testing till three or more miscarriages and they couldn't tell me till after my third why this keep happening to me. I was told after the second that there could of been something seriously wrong with the child and it was better off this way. That never made sense to me till now. Of course I am blessed with two beautiful health babies boy and girl. I had hard pregnancies and they found out I was missing a hormone that you need to carry a baby. I had to take replacement hormones with both my pregnancies. As far as the pregnancy tests I would just wait till you are about 1 week late if you are on a regular schedule. If you and your husband want more don't think about it enjoy life and if it is ment to be I now believe that it will happen. If you are staying at home and want something to do try child care its enough to keep you busy and its fun and ou can make money while doing something you enjoy. Good luck If ou need to talk send me a message.

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B.K.

answers from Detroit on

I lost my first one before 12 weeks. As it turns out it is really common. You don't realize it until it happens to you because we don't really talk about it. I read something like 1 in 5 pregnancy end in the first trimester due to miscarriage. My doctor said in the olden days you didn't even think you were pregnant until you missed 2 periods. We had a hard time conceiving too. Good news is that you are REALLY FERTILE after a miscarriage. Wait one cycle and try again. It worked for me. I got pregnant right away and carried to term. Also get the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It really helped me and my cousin. It teaches you that you don't always ovulate on day 12 (I ovulated as early as day 9 and also much later than day 12). You will take your temperature every morning and chart it and you will also check your goo. You'll know what I mean once you read the book. Good luck.

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M.G.

answers from Detroit on

I always use the pregnancy test strips that are really cheap and I have tested positive with all three pregnancies around 11 days past ovulation. My first pregnacy resulted in my first son, second pregnancy was a very early miscarriage like yours and my third pregnancy resulted in my second son.

I notice you also have a son. If this helps at all, it is very common for women to have a miscarriage after delivering a son.

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/...

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N.W.

answers from Detroit on

J.,

I didn't test positive until about 2 days before my period was due with those test. When I was pregnant with my son, I knew I was pregnant and took about 8 tests. It doesn't hurt, unless the emotional strain gets too hard. If I were you, I would take it if you just can't help yourself, and stop if you get too upset. I'm sorry to hear about your miscariage. It may not make you feel better-- but my doctor told me that most miscarriages that occur, especially in the first trimester are because the baby is not viable for some reason.

Good luck and keep your spirits up.

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K.C.

answers from Columbus on

Hi J.

You should wait atleast until you miss a period to take a home pregnancy test. Wait till your atleast a week late. My husband and I did the same thing. Every time we tried to "make a baby" I would wait a few days and get a test and I was always dissapointed, plus they start to add up. If you try to hold off until atleast you miss a period then you'll have some "reason" to take the test. Missing your period is the first sign that your pregnant. I'm sorry about your loss, I've been there too. I hope everything works out for you and your family. GOOD LUCK!

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A.L.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I don't have any more advise to add from the other responses. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss.

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E.S.

answers from Detroit on

I have used the first response or something like that with both of my pregnancies. I used them right when I was late and both times they were right on! My sister-in-law just recently had a miscarriage and they had no explanation for it either. But 2 months later she got pregnant and so far things have been fine and she is almost 4 months along. I'm sure that you will have no problems! Just stay positive! Good Luck and I wish you the best!

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M.R.

answers from Toledo on

J.,
I miscarried early once as well. It was not an early pregnancy test but I was devastated. We had been trying for almost 10 months. Anyway, if I had the option I would wait. I drove myself nuts with the pg tests in that 10 months.

The depair was great and so was the depression with the mc. I feel that I would not want to know if the chances are that great of an early miscarriage. God takes care of us, and we have to trust in HIM.

Blessings.
M.

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S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi J.,
I can only speak to the fact that your doctor didn't offer you a reason for your miscarriage. This happens often but if your doctor was familiar with how much your nutrition affects a pregnancy, he/she could give you more guidance on how to work on avoiding this in the future.

I can only imagine how heartbreaking this was. Fifteen years between children caused me to learn why I didn't get pregnant. It was very enlightening and I would encourage you to learn as well. Let me know if I can help.

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A.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi J.,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I had similar experiences- I have a daughter who will be 5 years old in 4 months. When she turned a year old, we decided to try for a second child and I got pregnant after only 2 months. I am one who was always VERY regular, so as soon as I didn't start on the day I expected to, I took a pregnancy test- usually either EPT or First Response- with my second pregnancy, I tested positive the day I was supposed to start only to miscarry a week later, when I was only 5 weeks along. My hormones were out of whack for the next 7 months. Once they regulated, I got pregnant again the next month, in Dec. 2003, only to miscarry again the first week of January 2004- on the exact same day at exactly 5 weeks pregnant. I then had some testing done and they couldn't find anything wrong, no reason as to why I had miscarried again, especially since I had gotten pregnant and had an uncomplicated pregnancy with my daughter. I then got pregnant in May of 2004, only to miscarry a third time, once again when I was 5 weeks along. I went to a specialist after that, and he couldn't find anything wrong either except that although my cycles were regular, lasted for 28 to 29 days, I didn't ovulate until I was at day 21 in my cycle, so it didn't give my body enough time to produce enough progesterone for the pregnancy to maintain. The next month, July 2004, I got pregnant and I had no problems and I have my son who is now almost 18 months old. So, even though it's maybe better to wait til a week after you missed your period, I know I could never wait that long- I always wanted to know as soon as I could, even with each miscarriage. I wish you luck and hope that everything goes well for you and you successfully get pregnant and have a healthy baby!

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C.

answers from Cleveland on

J.,
I had a miscarriage in May at about 6 weeks. I also did some pregnancy tests to determine I was pregnant - and I would recommend them. Even though it is very disappointing to have a miscarriage - it is good to know what is happening with your body. The Dr. can do blood tests to rule out ectopic pregnancy and to make sure that your body is ready to get pregnant again!
The good news is that it is very unlikely that you will have another miscarriage. You already have a child - so you know for sure that you are capable of having one. (I am in the same boat - my son is 2 1/2). I have read that after a miscarriage, there is an 85% chance that your next pregnancy will be successful. Thankfully, I am now 13 weeks pregnant - and am hoping that I am in that 85%.
I hope you are feeling o.k. and recovering from your miscarriage - it was really hard for me. I hope that your next pregnancy will be smooth sailing. God bless.

C.

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K.

answers from Dayton on

J.,

I actually just miscarried (at six weeks) three weeks ago. It was very disappointing because we were getting so excited for our new baby. I'd used four tests after I was supposed to start my period so knew that I was between that and being late. Plus the miscarriage was a lot heavier than a normal period.

My ob/gyn said that 75% of the time early miscarriage is due to a chromosomal abnormality, so it's natures way of not having an abnormal baby. That kind of doesn't make it any easier for me, personally, and makes me nervous to try again but I know we will in two months or so.

Hang in there. I'll take the test when I'm a few days late next time, just to know. I just hope it doesn't end up in miscarriage after miscarriage! God Bless You. Had you told your little boy? One thing that makes it a bit harder for us is our oldest keeps asking if we're going to try again. : )

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K.I.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am sorry you had a miscarriage, but yes, it is common. Apparently as many as 1 in every 3 women will have this happen at least once. Don't set yourself up--only take a pregnancy test well after a missed period. Focus on the beautiful baby you *already* have. Realize there are a TON of women out there who cannot have any babies and would dearly love to, and it can put your life into a better perspective.
Do you take Jack to the library classes for little ones? It is generally free. Best Wishes!

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