CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Hopek · 26 Jan 2013

I have found out today I have had a missed miscarriage at 6 weeks at 9 weeks, I have been given 3 options, allow it to happen naturally, medication, or erpc.
We have opted for the erpc but have since heard this can cause problems with future pregnancies - cervix issues??
Can anyone tell me if it is such a bad idea? I don't think I can go through this naturally and nothing is happening.
Sad

JEP · 26 Jun 2011

Oh hopek...I am really sorry for you. How sad (((hugs)))

I will tell you my 'take' on it. We had MMC with first cycle found out at 8+3. Embie had stopped developing about 6w. Stopped all meds and care consultant said it would happen au naturale within a week. It hadn't. So I went to nhs EPAU clinic who said the measurements had grown from first scan at care so wanted me to wait another week 'to check'. The nurses really had no idea about ivf so I got them to call the consultant down who agreed that I was right and my ivf dates wouldn't be that far out. After talking to him & reading the guidelines I opted for medical management. This was partly because I didn't want a GA unless it was essential, plus all the evidence says if it is under a certain size that is the safest option. So I went onto the ward a few days later. They witnessed me take the first lot of tablet meds, then I was admitted the next day for the pessaries. I had the maximum doses pessaries x2 & still did not miscarry. The ward dr then said after 13hrs on the ward he could do no more & consented me for the erpc a few days later. Whilst waiting for this I passed more products at home and work, so called and cancelled the op. they scanned me and it was almost complete. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is not straightforward at all. The quick thing to do is have the erpc as it is 'over' and then you can start to rebuild yourself again. I was scared of the procedure and anaesthetic so went about it the very long way but it did work eventually. It just meant I was trying to work and cope and get my brain sorted but it dragged out for a long time. Apart from the risk of ga there is a risk of scarring or damage to the lining of your womb where you want your future embies to implant. Also because they have to go through your cervix to get there it is exceptionally rare but the cervix can be widened too much with the consequences of this. I think if the natural or medical method has not worked after 14days they suggest the erpc to prevent infection.

It's a tough decision to make at a really vulnerable time. There are pros and cons to each, but take the time to make the decision that is right for you.

4 months after the mmc i felt ready to go again & we had a frozen blast put in and she is currently asleep upstairs.

Love JEP
X

Hopek · 26 Jan 2013

Thanks JEP - I'm not so worried about the GA more the future consequences, 7 years of trying and a BFP. To end this way is all a bit too much, I (well we) just want to try and move on. I asked the NHS nurse about future fertility and she said there was no problem but after reading (maybe too much) I'm just not sure!
Thanks for your reply, our story is a long one really, so far I've been told I'm miscarrying, had an ectopic pregnancy, been back to being pregnant to this awful ending today, I'm really not sure mentally I can wait a day longer than I need to but I am really worried about the erpc now.
Your daughter has a beautiful name Smile

Xx

JEP · 26 Jun 2011

Hopek
I didnt want to make you more worried about the erpc so I am sorry if I have done. The chances of problems with it are v small and that's probably why the nurse said it would be fine, but after all the infertility heartache you have been through its bound to play on your mind.
If for you the best thing is to get medical 'closure' then the erpc sounds the right thing. It will be done and dusted in 15-20 mins and you won't have to stay in long. Then you can get home & start to rebuild your emotions and get your strength back. The infertility rollercoaster is awful at the best of times and horrific that your cycle ended this way. I tried to be positive that Implantation occurred which is what the care consultant also said at our review.
I'm sure other ladies will pop on here and give you their stories to reassure you.

Good luck and lots of hugs at this really sad time
X

ANGIE D · 05 Mar 2012

Hi HopeK,

I am so sorry you have to go through this, it really stinks after everything you have been through, that this then happens, and I know exactly how you will be feeling having gone through the same myself not too long ago.
My story is similar for my 2nd miscarriage. I found out at 11 weeks that the baby had died shortly after my 7 week scan. I paid privately for a scan before the 12 week one (was actually 13 and half week by time my app would have been) as I was quite concerned something was wrong even though I had had no bleeding or pain or anything.
As the baby had died 4 weeks ago already I was really concerned about getting an infection and a few days after finding out and stopping all my meds, still nothing was happening so I went to the EPAU who were fantastic. (This was just before Xmas too so was worried about hospital cover should things go wrong leaving things to happen naturally.) The nurse talked me through all the options and never pushed me one way or the other. I wanted everything to be over quickly as I couldn't cope with baby still being inside me. That nurse and several nurses and consultants along the way explained that the equipment they now use in an ERPC is a lot better and safer than it used to be and is highly unlikely to do any damage internally. I did ask a lot of detail at the time as I was worried about it too, and was very reassured, though it is all a bit of a blur for me now to be honest.
I won't lie, it was horrible going in (which option wouldn't have been at the end of the day!), and unfortunately I had to wait 13 hours on the ward as they kept getting emergencies which I understand take priority, but it really made things harder for me. The ward staff though were fantastic and caring and DP was allowed to stay with me in a private room throughout (apart from the procedure). I had to stay in overnight unfortunately due to the time I finally got sorted, but I don't think thats the usual case.
I was very glad to be home the morning after and be able to grieve properly and have had no subsequent problems. Very little bleeding and only slight pain after.
Another reason I wanted the ERPC was that I wanted Embie to be tested to see what caused the MMC which was easier to do this way. They agreed and I got the results about 6 weeks ago which has also helped. I'm not sure if this is a consideration for you, they normally only do the tests after 3 MC but they agreed after 2 for me given my age, the IVF and that I have 1 frostie left. I asked for this, it wasn't offered so might be worth trying.

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time, whatever you choose to do.

Angie x

emerald · 25 May 2005

Hi

so sorry that your having to go through all this.I have had 2 miscarriages both started naturally, however the second m/c at 8w was not complete and after 6w of bleeding I had to have erpc to prevent infection. With erpc there is a chance of causing damage as they can puncture uterus etc if everything goes well it won't affect future pregnancies. In fact I have heard people say that having a d&c helped them get pregnant as it sort of flushed everything out. My first ever natural pregnancy was afew months after my erpc.

Every womans experience is different, with my m/c I was in alot of pain for a couple of hours and then everything came away all at once. I think its the not knowing when it will happen if you go the medicated route that would be the worst. My experience of an erpc was really good as i finally put an end to the physical side and allowed me to start healing. I also asked who was doing mine and was really lucky that I got on the consultants list. The only thing I was not prepared for was that I had awful nightmares whilst sedated.

thinking of you x x

Dizzee1 · 24 Sep 2009

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. I had a miscarriage in June 2011, taken for a D&C. I then fell pregnant in Aug 2021 a mere 3 months later. My DD was born healthy in May 2012. So clearly didn't harm me. In all I've had around 3 D&C's for different reasons.

There are obviously risks with any surgery, but I think they're few & fair between

Take care of yourself

Dizzee xx

Hopek · 26 Jan 2013

Thank you all so much for replying, it has really helped put my mind at rest I've been back and forth all day! I know this sounds crazy but I've been doing all the things I shouldn't have done being pregnant, shovelling snow, play wrestling and giving piggy backs etc to my nephews thinking as I was told not to do these things maybe it might make things happen naturally!!!
I'm now going to accept that Monday ill go in and physically it will be over, my DH doesn't like the thought of waiting or me going through the pain of it happening naturally either and honestly the thought of things happening while I'm at work or away from him scares me. I think the erpc is the only option left, and as you have said we can then repair emotionally and look to the future.
Thank you all again
Xxx

fingersandtoescrossed · 09 Apr 2011

Hi there
I'm sorry you are going through this. I had an ERPC in 2011 after weeks of waiting for things to happen naturaly, requesting medical management and being told to wait. I ended up with an awful infection and being very depressed because i wanted it over so i could try again. I had an erpc nearly 4 weeks aftet my scan confirmed the mmc. Personally i think i wouldve been better having it sooner.
After erpc i still had retained products but this can also happen with letting things happen themselves. Also i ask the nurses and surgeon and they said if done properly no risk to uterus at all. Think about all the women that have c sections and have theirs cut wide open! They still go on to have children. I also got pregnant 6 months later so all was good.

Good luck. Choose what is right for you and don't let anyone try make u do something else.

Xx

Noggin · 11 Sep 2009

Hopek I've bumped up one of my old posts about options. Can't believe it was a year ago...
Sorry you've been through such an ordeal already Sad

Love noggin x