"IT'S NOT THE LENGTH OF THE GESTATION, IT'S THE EXTENT OF THE ATTACHMENT."


Friday, January 11, 2008

What Is This?

Mr. H just left to go pick up Aaron from school. After that they are on their way to go paint ceramics (!) Can you believe that? Mr. H is so impatient, it's not even funny, but he found something he wanted to paint. Aaron is hooked too. He has asked for the last 3 days to go back and we've taken him. I need to find a cheaper hobby.

**The rest of this post will be about my period, so if you don't want to know about it, stop reading now! (but please keep reading, because I need your opinion)**

Okay, my cycles usually last for 3 days- normal, not too heavy, no cramping, done in 3 days. Except for this one. This period was 11 days late. And it has lasted 10 days!!! That's absurd. What's going on? This cycle is not heavy, but there are more clots (I warned you!) than usual and I've been cramping a lot too. I have only been feeling the cramping in the evenings and as I sleep. In fact, the cramping woke me up twice because it hurt so badly. And as I was rubbing my abdomen, it was firm (my abdomen is NOT usually firm). Is this normal? I feel silly even asking this, but do you think this could be a miscarriage or just a wacky cycle? I feel silly asking this because we are/were not trying to get pregnant right now. If I was pregnant (even for a week- I told you this was silly) it was by pure accident. We have been really careful using condoms and the occasional pull-out method. (I don't condone that method, but it worked for us for 6 years- I'm just saying...) I consider a miscarriage a loss of a child, a baby, an unborn fetus. An embryo??? But would you consider a late, irregular, clotty looooong cycle a miscarriage? I know I sound so dramatic, but I can't think of any other explanation for this. I feel fine other than the symptoms that I mentioned above. Mr. H said he didn't think there was anything wrong with me, because I AM NOT PREGNANT. I'm not looking for sympathy here, just your opinion. I really don't want to go to the doctor. I just don't feel like it's necessary, especially if this is just a "late, irregular, clotty looooong cycle". I've read that many women who have miscarriages don't even know they've had one because it was so early on and there were no symptoms other than a late period. Have any of you had a cycle like this? Or am I just over reacting? Here are a few definitions for you, to help you out.
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wacky-

1. ludicrous, foolish;
2. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular;

menstrual cycle-

The periodic series of changes in the female reproductive system associated with the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy; the cycle is repeated roughly every twenty-eight days. During the menstrual cycle, an ovum is released from one of the ovaries (the release is called ovulation), and the uterus develops an inner lining enriched with blood to prepare it for the possible implantation of a zygote. If fertilization and implantation do not take place, the lining of the uterus is discharged during menstruation.

miscarriage-

The premature, spontaneous expulsion of the products of pregnancy (an embryo or fetus) from the uterus, usually in the first trimester. Also called spontaneous abortion.
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Also, for those who have had a miscarriage this early, I don't mean to act like it's not a real loss. I think when a life is lost no matter how small, it is still significant. But if one doesn't know they are/were pregnant and they have a late period (as I am) does it still count? If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody around, does it make a sound? Can you be hurt by a loss you don't even know took place? So like I asked above do you think this is an "irregular...discharge of uterine lining" or is this a "spontaneous expulsion of pregnancy products"? Can a wacky cycle be a miscarriage or are they all together their own thing?

Please give me your opinion on this matter. I'd like to know how you feel about this topic in general as well as my unique circumstances.

10 comments:

meg said...

I'm not sure about this one, but I would go to your family doctor and check it out. I don't think it sounds exactly normal...but I haven't really had anything like this. I have had an early miscarriage and that was like a long and heavy period. You will feel better if you check it out.

Lori said...

Personally, I don't think you have had a miscarriage. Your body has been through alot recently, so you have to remember that. The kind of period you are describing is a typical one for me. I have TONS of clots, hardening and really bad cramping. It kinda runs in my family. You may have a fibroid cyst(s). I would definitely inform your doctor and see if she is concerned.

Mrs. Collins said...

Meg's right. Also, if you want to know, perhaps you could take a sensitive HPT and if it came back positive, I guess it would be a miscarriage.

I think I told you that I got pregnant at the end of November (not this November....). I tested before my period was due. Well it didn't stick and about seven days after my period was due I had the heavy bleeding it sounds like you are describing. I knew I was pregnant because I took like twenty HPTs (of different brands)

But it could just be a wacky cycle.

BTW.. sorry I haven't been around much. Work really kicked my ass this week. I miss you.

The Nanny said...

Girl, I have no idea either way. But if it were me, I'd go to the doctor and just check. If nothing else, I wouldn't be wondering "what if."

I'll be thinking about you. Keep us posted...

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure actually because "they" say that women have miscarraiges that they don't ever even know about. could have had a fertilized egg that couldn't implant. could have had 2 eggs come out this cycle and just had a painful one, which I'd say it was normal but it sounds to me like it was the complete opposite of your cycle, and 11 days late?? it's odd for sure. but tyhen again so is the reproductive system, it never does what it's supposed to and especially not when it should. Talk to the Doc??

and the HPT would come back negative because if you miscarry from 5 days to 6 weeks along it's most likely to a HUGE hormone drop and therefore would say negative, they would have to do a u/s and a blood test to be sure at the Dr.

Becky said...

Hmmm....

I've had cycles like that too. Once I knew it was a miscarriage because I got a pos HPT and like 4 days later I started bleeding. And the other time I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to get sick to my stomach. I went to the bathroom, and there was a large clot. But other than that, completely normal.

Having said that, I don't think it's exactly normal either. However, I've read that the average woman has 5 micarriages in a lifetime that they don't know about.

I would probably call the doctor, just to be sure. Because it could be something different...like a cyst or something.

Monica H said...

If I'm still bleeding on Monday, then I'll call the doctor. I guess the reason I didn't, is because I kept thinking it would end (then I had to send Mr. H out to get me MORE tampons)

Lori,
I know my cycle is irregular, but it has NEVER lasted this long even after the babies were born.

Monica and Christyna,
I didn't even think about taking a HPT because I thought it was a period. I had no reason to believe it was something different. Also, I don't think it would make any difference now.

Becky,
I've had cysts before and they've ruptured (OUCH!) but it didn't happen with a period and it hurt so much worse. I really don't think that's what this is.

Holly K said...

Hey you....
I certainly can attest to this. Since we both lost our babies at about 17-18 weeks. My periods were never the same after we lost Sam. They were not on schedule, they were short, then long, then painful, then clotty, then not.... ALL of it. You name it. It was different each and every time. Wacky! like you said.

I don't think it is a miscarriage. ( as you know I've had one of those too) And even if at this point you took a HPT, it would most likely come up negative b/c w/ a miscarriage, your hormone levels PLUMMET so by the time you personally would take this test, it would most likely be negative since your hormones have already dropped.
(**warning! more gross stuff discussed here)
Your body is most likely still balancing itself out. However, I would still go get checked by the doctor this coming week if the bleeding hasn't stopped b/c you will want them to eliminate any other problems, like fibroids or something. And also b/c you've never had a period this long.

The scar tissue takes forever to finish coming out. When I was spotting during this pregnancy, ( in December- 9 mos after our loss) I STILL had old tissue coming out. It never makes any sense. But my doctor said the uterus will cramp harder and get certain parts of tissue out when it is ready to get them out. For me, the pregnancy is helping get it out b/c my uterus is stretching and those parts of old tissue are coming out. It doesnt just happen all at once. It doesnt make sense either, but our bodies after traumas like that simply fluctuate for a long time as they heal.

My ovulation was off (late) and so was my progesterone when we got p/g this time. It made no sense. But anything is possible I have learned.

take care and relax. call me or email if you need to chat. :)
Holly

Kristi said...

Hi, no new advice to add. I too would go to the doctor just for the re-assurance that everything's OK.

Anonymous said...

Hope it's just all wacky and nothing to worry about, thinking of you...