Had scan and no bean.

[Mung]

I am sorry to start a new thread here. There is probably an answer somewhere but I have searched a bit and had little luck.

I had my 12 week scan today and there was only a sac.

They were wonderful at the hospital and I felt they answered all my questions, but I have now come away a little scared and feel I am totally in the dark.

I opted to miscarry naturally, although I know I can change my mind and call if I have any concerns. Now I am wondering when this might happen as the sac only measured 7 weeks. I figured at the time that it ought to happen soon given that its 5 weeks since I miscarried.

I suppose I am fearing the unknown and although I had prepared myself mentally for there not being a bean there (I have had no pregnancy symptoms) I hadn't prepared myself for this bit.

I have 2 children to keep me busy and I am supposed to be going to Spain for work in a week and a half, do you think it will be possible if I go well prepared, or s it too risky?

[Geepers]

I'm so sorry

I'm sure someone will be along with advice soon, but I didn't want ti read and run.

[Mung]

Thanks Geepers

[cmotdibbler]

I'm so sorry Mung. My first miscarriage was an anembryonic pregnancy, and like yours was only diagnosed at the 12 week scan.

I was advised that as I had no bleeding it could take a long time to end naturally, so opted for an ERPC.

I think if you choose to wait, that going to Spain would be a bad idea, as no matter how well you think you have prepared yourself, the actual bleeding bit is fairly traumatic and could be quite heavy

[EldonAve]

Sorry to hear this
It could take a few weeks for you to start to mc
I wouldn't plan on going to Spain tbh, if you start to mc you may want/need to be at home

[Mung]

That was what I thought would be the answer about Spain.

I haven't had any bleeding yet, so I could be waiting a while then.

Earlier today I thought I was up to it, but now I am not so sure if I am.

[teachertalk]

I also have an empty sac - had a scan Jan 19th - should have been 8 weeks but sac is only 4 week size. They won't let me have a d and c (my usual choice - 3 previous mmc's) cos the sac only measures 8mm. Am ok with that but the sac has held on for nearly 6 weeks now and am wondering when things are going to start happening. They just keep scanning me and even spent a week deciding if I had an ectopic pg or not. I too am worried about amount of bleeding and how long it could hang on in there. I have already had 2 weeks off work and want to move on and get back to 'normal'. Do you think they would give me a pessary to start things - this always works prior to d and c - I don't even mind sitting on a ward if I have to.

Sorry have answered your post with my own questions. I wouldn't go too far away from home - I don't really know what to expect but it is comforting to be near home/family.

[MauriceDancer]

i'm so very sorry, mung and teacher.

[barley2]

Really sorry to hear what has happend Mung- I had a similar experience in Sep when I saw an empty sac at a 13 week scan. It's devastating even if part of you is not suprised. I was told then that I had a blighted ovum but after having a second mmc where a baby was seen at 8 weeks (not alive as too small) and then nothing at 11 weeks ( to confirm mmc) I now understand that an empty sac could be a blighted ovum or a mmc that has been reabsorbed rather than mc. I opted for an erpc in Sep and made the mistake of going away 3 days later to Italy. I ended up in an Italian hospital with a traumatised dh and dd so I advise staying on the safe side even though it feels like you've been robbed of something else that you were looking forward to.

[Lionstar]

So sorry to hear what you're going through. I had same back in November, it was devastating to see that empty screen. The day after the scan I started spotting and 2 days after miscarried naturally. Although I managed it (and was alone in house with DD) it was pretty horrific - like a mini labour, very painful, had urge to push, passed loads of blood and huge amounts of 'product' (hate that word). Bleeding lasted for 2 weeks.

If you are tempted to go for it naturally just make sure you have plenty of support around, you will need lots of painrelief and pads and TLC. It will be very hard to get your head around now, make sure you get enough time of work and hole up on the sofa with chocolate.

My thoughts are with you, I'm just so sorry. If it helps I am now almost 6 weeks along with another pregnancy - scared and excited in equal measure.

[neolara]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your baby.

I don't want to alarm you, but it might be helpful to know that a miscarriage at 12 weeks can involve quite a shocking amount of blood loss. I have had four miscarriages, one of which was medically managed at 12 weeks although the baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks. I was very relieved that this miscarriae happened in hospital. Of course, your experience may be different - you won't know until it happens. However, in your shoes, I would be very wary about heading off to Spain at this stage.

[Sawyer64]

Oh Mung! Didn't know about this.....

So sorry.

I experienced this, inbetween DD1 and DD2,only found out on 12 week scan.I found it devastating.

I opted for the "Surgical route", as I felt so awful,and wanted to "take control" of what was happening.

The "Medical option" felt a little ... scary and lacked any "control" IYSWIM.

I had an ERPC on the Monday,following my scan on the previous Friday,and it helped me to feel that this pregnancy had come to an end,and I was able to grieve properly somehow.

Everyone feels differently,and you have to go with what feels right to you,but I definitely wouldn't recommend going away,too risky.

Judging by some of the threads I have read recently of people who took the Medical route, it can be quite painful,messy and scary.Don't think you would be wise to be away from home whilst all that is going on.
You need DH (and your DC's) close by,to support you during this time,and no other "distractions" that being away may cause.

Thinking of you.

[Lionstar]

Mung, I hope you don't take my last comment the wrong way - I realise now it may have been rather insensitive of me to mention another pregnancy. I just meant to reassure you that you can move on from this in time. I'm sorry .

[Mung]

Thank you all for your responses. Its kicked in today and I just want to curl up and hide from the world. I suppose I am lucky that the Dcs are going to force me to carry on functioning. My mother has totally upset me to make things about 20 times worse. Instead of asking how I am, she had a total moan at me for telling my brother that I was pregnant before her. I told him a couple of days ago as I needed someone to look after the DCs. She didn't even say 'are you OK', instead she hung up on me after ranting. I just cannot understand her. The reason I didn't tell her was that she was so bloody negative the last two that I thought she might actually be happy if I sowed her a picture of a baby. Thats not to be.

Lionstar - don't worry. I really appreciate any information and happy news. Congratulations on the next pregnancy. I hope it all goes really well for you.

Sawyer you weren't to know. I had the scan yesterday afternoon, hence the calm persona at your house. Not sure I'd be like that now. I am struggling with it today and I'm wondering if the surgical route might be better for me. The doctor mentioned in passing that its not the best option if you have had a previous c-section.

Neolara thanks for letting me know. I need to be prepared. I suppose I had better invest in some thick maternity pads.

barley that sounds awful. when they cannot give you a straight answer. I hope you are OK now and managing to move on.

teachertalk the waiting is awful and I have only waited a night. I understand that you want to move on. I hope things happen soon to enable you to carry on with the other aspects of your life. Please let me know how you are.

[cmotdibbler]

I don't think that there is any issue with having an ERPC after a c section - call the EPAU and talk to the nurse as they are usually better on knowing the score.

I had two ERPCs, and tbh, I wanted, and needed to get the physical side over and done with

[Almeida]

Big hug Mung xxx Sorry this happening.

[Mung]

I'll give the early Pregnancy Unit a call this morning.

Thanks Almeida

[DivamakesKimchi]

Im so sorry to hear this mung and teachertalk
({{{{{((((((((mung))))))}}}} and {{{{{{{{(((((teachertalk))))))))))}}}}}}
will think of you both

[sifuentes]

Hi Mung.

So so sorry that you are going through this. I am posting because I really wished that I had known the following when I had my mc at home at 11 weeks (measured 6).

You may be one of the lucky ones and have little blood or pain. I really hope you are.

But, in case you are not, make sure you have a full packet the strongest painkillers you can get. At the peak of mine I took codydromal (thanks to a friend who popped over her leftovers) and nurofen plus (this particular cocktail was sanctioned by my GP over the phone - I did not want to have an accidental OD!)

Never be too far from the loo or a hot bath.

Be prepared for very very heavy bleeding for a few days with clots that may feel more like tinned plum tomatoes than something that your body should be producing. (yuk thing to say i know but personally I found that the most alarming part especially since I was not expecting it).

Actually I have read that other people have gone to hospital when the pain and bleeding got really bad. I didn't really know what I supposed to do so I just sat it out, but if you can't bear it, you can go and they will speed it up. Again I wish I had known I had that option. I would have gone to hosp, because bleeding very very heavily for three or four days and being in all that pain totally wiped me out for the next 10.

I have been told that one of the reasons there is so much more bleeding when you mc later on in the first trimester, even if there is only a small sac, is that you haven't had a period for three months and your uterus therefore has not shed it's lining for all that time. It is also because there will be a small tear in your uterus where the sac has come away.

In my experience, if you do stay at home for the whole thing, then it will leave you very very weak so you must take it easy. I hope your DH looks after you well. And I really hope that your mum starts behaving like a proper mum and looking after you and the DC.

Also, again only speaking from personal experience, the hormonal dip will come in a week's time. (Mine came on Christmas day. which was nice for the family!) You can't really be prepared for that, other than to not fight it and let yourself cry and shout as much as you want.

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't totally freaked you out. It is a truly dreadful thing to go through, but it will get better.

It's good that you have found MN. I have everyone here very warm, helpful and supportive.
xx

[anniecam38]

Hi Mung really sorry this has happened. Nothing more to add really, i think the other ladies have told you everything you need to know. Be prepared for a lot of bleeding-its quite traumatic, i had one on Monday-ended up in hospital as LO got stuck in cervix-forceps used with no pain relief-horrific experience.

Re ERPC after C-section, i was given this option even though id had c section, it was 3 years ago so dont know if this makes a difference.

Sending you a big hug. Make sure you rest plenty esp afterwards as you may feel quite faint for few days afterwards.

[Mung]

Sifuentes thanks for the detailed information. Like you say, I hope I am one of the lucky ones, but at least I know a little more what to expect. I am trying to continue as normal today, as much as I can.

anniecam38 that sounds very traumatic for you. I hope you are feeling better now after it all.

I really do appreciate all your help, its making me feel more prepared and a little less scared. Thanks.

[pinkypanther]

Hi Mung. I'm in almost exactly the same position as you - my little bean died at six weeks, which was four weeks ago. I'm not confident that it will come away by itself (given that it hasn't already) and have booked myself in for an ERPC on Wednesday next week.

My hospital doesn't do medical management. In terms of waiting for it to happen naturally, they told me it could take several weeks and that I might have a lot of blood loss. I'm ok with that, but it was the fact that it could be ages that made me opt for the ERPC. Also, DH very much wants it over and done with so we can try again soonish rather than possibly having another six weeks of waiting.

Lots of love and hugs - know what you're going through

[Angiewoo]

Oh Mung, I'm so so sorry - big hugs to you and your family.

I have suffered 2 missed miscarriages in the past year, one at 10 weeks and one at 12 weeks so although my situation was not the same as yours I kind of understand how you are feeling. I decided to let things happen naturally the first time but unfortunately nothing happened and I ended up having an ERPC. Although it was very scary, in some ways it helps to get the physical part of things over with so you can deal with your emotions.

If you need someone to talk to, a shoulder or cry on etc, feel free to email me ([email protected])

Angie xxx

[Saz126]

Mung, just seen this. So so sorry. Am thinking of you. Big hugs to you hun. I am here too if you need me, if you need to talk or for someone to look after DC's. xxx

[Sawyer64]

Thinking of you Mung.If I can help in anyway with the DC's or just a shoulder etc......

Obviously I am biased but I agree with Angiwoo too,the surgical management seemed better for me,as I knew in my head the pregnancy wasn't viable,but in my heart I still felt pregnant,still had sickness etc.

I needed to "make a decision" and start to deal with this,and felt I wouldn't be able to do this the medical way.I also had 2 DC's to think about,and wanted everything to be "normal" for them.

Whatever you decide,I hope its as straightforward and "comfortable" as it can be.

[teachertalk]

I have just been to the GP to get a sick note for work - not seen her before so had to go through the whole sorry tale again. She said that sometimes with an anembryonic pg you may not bleed and the body might absorb it all. Has anyone heard this before. I don't know what to think now. I knew the embryo gets absorbed hence the empty sac but the sac too?

I don't think I can stand to wait and keep going for scans to monitor this. Getting to the end of my patience now after 2 weeks wait. Finding this really hard now and just want to get everything over with.

Has anyone heard of this before? Would welcome any advice?