Prolonged bleeding & negative pregnancy test

Dear Hannah, 

I have had 2 miscarriages since Christmas.  I have had a period since, but it lasted 13 days: my period started on the 8th of July and lasted 13 days.  I haven’t had anything since.  Should I see my doctor?  I have done a pregnancy test, and it came back negative.  Bobby

Dear Bobby,

Though no single person is “typical,” the average woman’s next period will be 28 days after a miscarriage.  However, great exceptions from this “norm” are not abnormal at all.  Having had two miscarriages in the last year will definitely throw your regular body cycles into irregularity.  A period lasting 13 days (if it was your period) is something to be concerned about.  It would be safest to make an appointment with your OB/GYN right away.

Your irregular menstrual cycle could be still resulting from the two miscarriages.  The 13 day bleeding may be early pregnancy bleeding and not your period, even if your pregnancy test turned out negative.  On the other hand, the irregularity in your period and the prolonged bleeding could be resulting from something more serious and you would not be making a mistake to have your professional physician look into this immediately.

As someone once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Best of luck, 

Hannah