Is it still worth having an ERPC?

[Ginger73]

I had a second scan just over a week ago, at what should have been nearly 10 weeks, and was told I had had a missed miscarriage. I had been bleeding for about a week prior to that, so although heartbreaking, it wasn't a total surprise.

After bleeding more heavily over the weekend, I opted for an ERPC, but the hospital can't actually do it until this coming Tuesday, 12 days after the scan. I explained to the doctor about the amount of bleeding and pain I had already had, and asked what if I had completed the miscarriage by the time the operation came round, but he said that it was still worth having the procedure, whatever, just to put my mind at rest.

Now I have pretty much stopped bleeding altogether, which makes me think it's over and that the ERPC might be unnecessary, and that I am wasting the hospital's time if I go ahead. I am getting myself ridiculously worked up over this, and almost wish I was still bleeding to justify the procedure, which is totally mad. I just can't think straight. I guess if I go ahead I will at least know for sure it is all over.

Sorry for big ramble.

[DevonCiderPunk]

So sorry that you are going through this. I have endured the ERPC wait and know how hard it is. My choice would be to go ahead, as then you can be sure of putting a stop to the waiting. It will be fine. Take care.

[eurochick]

Personally I wouldn't want a possibly unnecessary GA and surgical procedure "just in case". Can you request another scan.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Ginger73]

Thank you both so much for posting. I kind of swing from Ciderpunk's position to eurochick's, but I think I will just pop to the EPU on Monday and see if they can do a quick scan. Reassure me that it is over and save unnecessary surgery.
I'm so miserable at the moment that decision making is impossible, so I really appreciate the help.

[LaceyLee]

I would go for a scan first definitely. Though unusual there can be complications with erpc so don't do it if not required. Sorry for your loss, it's a horrible thing to happen

[eurochick]

I hope you can get a scan.

I mc'd naturally last year. It took quite a while to get a negative pregnancy test but my periods came back quite quickly (just a day or two later than expected) and everything was fine.

Mine made me feel very wiped out, and I found that taking spatone helped build my iron levels back up.

[bakingtins]

ginger I'm very sorry you lost your baby. I would not consent to an ERPC without a further scan and I'm that anyone has suggested you undergo a general anaesthetic and surgery which may be unnecessary.
A further scan would 'put your mind at rest' one way or the other. The risks involved are small, but they need to be balanced against some potential benefit for you. I hope the scan gives you the all clear and you avoid a procedure.

[Metalhead]

Sorry for your loss OP. I had my mmc confirmed on a Thursday and erpc booked in for the following Tuesday. Over the weekend I started bleeding and passed the sac naturally at home, so I rang the hospital on Monday and told them and they said to come in on Tuesday as planned but that they would scan me again first to see whether the mc was complete.

As it happened I still had some retained tissue so the procedure went ahead, but you should definitely be rescanned before agreeing to undergo a GA and surgical procedure which might be completely unnecessary.

[Ginger73]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has responded to my question. As a result, I finally came to my senses and realised that I should face up to things, and so popped up to the EPU today. They were hugely accommodating, fitted me in for a scan, which as suspected, revealed I had actually miscarried naturally and did not need the ERPC, so unnecessary surgery averted.

I have just been sitting here having a good cry, as it sinks in that there is no physical trace of my baby left in the world, and he's really gone, but that's what I needed to hear in order to start to move on.

I'm so sorry for all of your losses, but thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences and help someone else.

[Metalhead]

Sorry to hear you're feeling down OP, it is hard to let go of all the hopes you had for the baby, and you will have good and bad days for a while. Glad to hear you managed to get a scan and avoid the surgery at least though.