Zainab had already lost her pregnancy. When the bleeding worsened four days later, she came to Mascot Healthcare. A scan confirmed retained products — and she received urgent, compassionate care that prevented serious complications.
Accountant, Akoka. Presented with heavy vaginal bleeding with clots and pelvic cramping 4 days after spontaneous pregnancy loss at 10 weeks gestation. Ultrasound showed retained products of conception.
Incomplete MiscarriageZainab had been nine weeks pregnant when her body began to miscarry at home on a Tuesday. By Wednesday morning the pregnancy was lost. She grieved quietly — she had not told many people. On Saturday, instead of the bleeding slowing down, it accelerated. She was passing large clots and felt dizzy when she stood up.
Her mother drove her to Mascot Healthcare at 11am. The team did not make her wait long. The nurse who triaged her recognised the clinical picture immediately: possible incomplete miscarriage. A scan was ordered.
The doctor explained what the scan showed and what needed to happen next — calmly and completely.
An incomplete miscarriage means some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after the loss. Without treatment, this causes ongoing bleeding, pain, and risk of infection.
Soaking more than one pad per hour over 4 hours — a clinical sign of significant blood loss.
Large clots and grey-pink tissue fragments — products of conception still being expelled.
Painful contractions as the uterus tried to expel remaining tissue; worse than normal period pain.
Postural dizziness suggesting significant blood loss affecting circulatory stability.
On speculum examination the cervix was visibly open — confirming an incomplete process.
Rest at home — appropriate initial management; but the bleeding escalated rather than settling.
Paracetamol for cramping — partial pain relief; did not address retained tissue.
Phone consultation with a relative (nurse) — advised to come to clinic when bleeding worsened.
Pelvic ultrasound confirmed material in the uterine cavity. Apporopriate treatment was administered to assist uterine contraction and expulsion of retained tissue.
She was monitored for four hours. Bleeding reduced significantly afterwards. A follow-up ultrasound the next morning showed a markedly thinned endometrium — confirming successful medical evacuation. Surgical evacuation of retained products of conception was not required.
Incomplete Miscarriage — Retained Products of Conception (RPOC confirmed on ultrasound)
IV access; medication to complete the miscarriage; 4-hour observation; follow-up ultrasound confirming clearance; iron supplementation; bereavement support information
Follow-up ultrasound: endometrial thickness 5 mm — successful medical evacuation confirmed.
Retained products successfully cleared medically. Zainab's bleeding normalised within 48 hours. She returned for a 4-week check in good physical health.
After a miscarriage, heavy bleeding with clots that worsens rather than settles over days needs urgent assessment. Retained products of conception are common — affecting up to 50% of miscarriages — and are safely treatable when caught early.
The clinical team's role in these moments is both medical and human. Grief and urgent care can coexist in the same consultation room.
Heavy bleeding after a miscarriage is a medical emergency. Come in — retained tissue is treatable and complications are preventable.
Walk in to Mascot Healthcare, Akoka — same-day consultation, transparent pricing, 4.9★ rated.