Help, first AF... is this normal?

• 09-20-2009 4:52 PM

  corajalem Joined on 07-12-2004 lost another precious baby. Posts 464

  Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact Okay, so I have had the craziest cycle. I know that the first cycle after a loss can be a little abnormal but I am getting concerned. Here is the deal, I went into the hospital hemorrhaging from my miscarriage on 8/17. I spotted through the first of this month. On the 12th I woke passing a large clot and bled for 8 hours then it went to spotting. On the 15th the spotting changed to full flow and I have been bleeding ever since. Today is the worst of the worst with me passing clots every 10-15 minutes. Is this normal??? This is 6 days of full flow straight, or if you say AF started on the 12th that makes it 9 days of AF. I have searched the internet looking for info on first menstrual cycle following a miscarriage and I can't find anything. I know my hemoglobin was at 9 leaving the hospital on 8/18 and I know it takes a couple days for it to peak. I don't know if I should be concerned with this or not. I have no ins. and can't afford to go anywhere unless I absolutely have to.

• 09-21-2009 7:52 AM

  In reply to

  BrandyGracieandbean Joined on 05-11-2007 Stockton, California Posts 96	Re: Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact Hey Sami, I have heard that your first AF after a m/c can really suck !!! I am not there quite yet myself so I am not of much help. My cycles usually run about 30-31 days, but I think I just finally O'd this past weekend. So we will see. Can you call a clinic and just ask them over the phone without having to go in?

• 09-21-2009 3:50 PM

  In reply to

  Amber05 Joined on 05-13-2004 South Dakota, Lorena-4, Everett-3, 3 Angel Babies Posts 188

  Re: Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact I'm so sorry about your loss. From my experience, my first af after my first m/c was aweful. I was expecting AF, so I had a pad in. In the middle of class (Junior High nontheless) I felt a sudden gush. I knew what happened. AF showed. I could have never imagined it would be that bad. I passed so many clots. It was aweful. I had to change underwear, pants, socks, shoes. I was a mess. Luckily, I was able to get out and to a phone to call another teacher. She brought me new underwear, pads, and pants. Luckily we are prepared for girls having their first period. I had 4 hours left of classes that day. Then, that night, dh and I went out with some friends. A stiff drink was what I needed. Unfortuately, the same thing happened. I had my phone with me (luckily) and called dh into the bathroom. He had to go home and get stuff for me while I sat on a toilet, filled with blood, and blood on the floor. We were 10 miles from home. I ended up having a few more days of med/heavy flow, followed by 10-11 days of spotting. It was miserable. I sure hope it doesn't end up like this for you. Just know that it is possible. I was told that if I continued to pass clots like that (one more time) or felt faint, that I needed to get into the ER right away. Luckily I felt ok and the bleeding subsided. I know that everyone is different, but wanted to share my story.

• 09-21-2009 10:08 PM

  In reply to

  BrandyGracieandbean Joined on 05-11-2007 Stockton, California Posts 96	Re: Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact After doing some searching on the internet, what you are experiencing sounds pretty normal. I am not looking forward to this. I normally have 31 day cycles and at this point there is no sign of AF, after what you girls have told me I think I might start to carry a pad or wear a liner so I am not caught totally off guard, KWIM.

• 09-24-2009 4:07 PM

  In reply to

  corajalem Joined on 07-12-2004 lost another precious baby. Posts 464

  Re: Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact Well, today is day 12 of bleeding and DH is concerned now. I am light headed and unable to focus long. Being that my blood level is still low from the miscarriage I wonder if this AF is just to much bleeding in to short of a time. I was told it takes 3 months for blood volume to return to normal and I started AF less than 4 weeks after my miscarriage. Maybe I am wrong, I don't know. But I do know I can't study and remember what I am studying for school, I am weaker than normal and I have issues standing due to being dizzy. If I am still bleeding in the morning I am calling the doctor. I never expected anything like this even though I did expect it to be bad.

• 09-24-2009 5:05 PM

  In reply to

  Amber05 Joined on 05-13-2004 South Dakota, Lorena-4, Everett-3, 3 Angel Babies Posts 188

  Re: Help, first AF... is this normal? Reply Contact If you are feeling light headed, unable to focus, you better get in right away. I don't want to scare you, but that can be very serious. My dr. warned me about the lightheadedness and told me to get in right away if that happened. I hope you start feeling better soon. Please get looked at. I lost a lot of blood after my son was born and I almost had to have an emergency d&c. KUP.