Pain after ERPC

[LobstersLass]

Hello ladies,

I had an ERPC on Saturday at 8 weeks, though the baby had stopped growing at 6+6.

I didn't have any pain at all on Sunday or Monday. I had the odd little twinge yesterday.

This morning I was woken by period-type pains so I took some Paracetamol, I had some more 4 hours later. At 2pm, I could still feel the pain and it was too early for more Paracetamol so I took one Dihydrocodeine.

I'm about to have my next dose of Paracetamol.

I can still feel the pain. Is this normal?

I am rubbish when it comes to pain and my concern is that if I keep taking the Paracetamol and the Dihydrocodeine at the minimum intervals that I am going to get to bed time, still be in pain and not be able to take anything because I'll have had the maximum 24 hour limit.

I'd appreciate any advice, even if it is "stop being such a softie and deal better with the pain"!

[banana87]

I had the exact same and went back to EPU (I called ahead and asked to see the gynae). They gave me antibiotics and took a swab. I never heard anything back but they said it was endometritis which is a common complication of ERPCs. Do you have a fever and/or heavy bleeding?

[LobstersLass]

Thanks for answering. No I don't have a fever or heavy bleeding - only pink discharge.

But I can still feel cramping pain.

I don't want to waste their time, but I don't think I'll sleep with this pain.

[banana87]

It's better to go in then and let them give you antibiotics. Better safe than sorry. Go to A&E if you don't think you can wait til morning.

[TwinkleToes76]

I had this about 5 or 6 days after my last ERPC - lasted all day and night and then I passed a small clot the following morning and then no further pain. I would ring the hospital for some advice. Hope it's nothing to worry about.

[LobstersLass]

Thanks for your replies. The tablets are controlling the pain now so fingers crossed for a peaceful night.

If it comes back I'll phone the hospital.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thank you.

[MummyAbroad]

Hi LobsterLass,

I'm really sorry for your loss. I hope your pain has subsided but if it hasnt I really recommend you take banana87's advice and go get checked out asap.

If you have any retained "tissue" sorry - there are no nice words for this- it could become infected and put your future fertility at risk so its really important that you get antibiotics very quickly.

Signs of infection include:
pain
fever
chills
smelly discharge.

Even if you have only ONE sign you should go and get checked by a doctor.

Its also a good idea to take a home pregnancy test to check that your hormone levels have fallen back to normal. Sometimes it can take a week or two to get a negative test, but if you continue to test positive tell your doctor straight away as this can also indicate retained tissue.

Going to get some aftercare is not "wasting the doctors time" you have been through a lot, you deserve looking after and its very important that you take action if you feel that your recovery is not progressing exactly as it should be. Here is some info on what a "normal" recovery is like
www.pregnancyloss.info/waitingforaf.htm (this is a very useful site in general by the way)

so sorry that this is happening to you,

take care xxx