Pain after surgical management

[sjc1981]

Hi, my husband and I have just lost our little baby. We went to our 12 week scan and found no heartbeat, our baby died at 11 weeks. We were devastated, still are, it is very raw still.
After much anguish I finally chose to have the operation. I was terribly unwell through the whole pregnancy and our bereavement midwife made arrangements against hospital policy for us to be allowed to bury our baby, something which was really important to me.
So, I had the op, it went well. I felt groggy and empty/incomplete afterwards but I felt warm again, something I hadn’t felt for the past 3 months. I am recovering well, emotionally as well as physically. Until yesterday. I have started getting pains in my stomach and back similar to the early stages of labour followed by a lot of heavy bleeding and I was wondering if anyone else experienced this after the op. I have read threads on here from other women and none mention this so not sure if it is normal. For the first 4 days following the op I had no bleeding at all and no pain either. And advice? Thanks

[Polly99]

I think sometimes when they perform the surgery they leave a little bit behind to come out on it’s own (better than risking damaging the uterus), or at least that’s what the doc told me.
I don’t remember my ERPCs very well, but I do recall the second time having very little bleeding until about a week later when I had heavy bleeding and painful cramps at work. I think I’d been overdoing it, so spent a day on the sofa and it calmed down. I think I called the hospital, but I didn’t need to go in (as I didn’t have a fever, perhaps, and they thought the bleeding in a range of normal). The fact I remember so little detail is making me think I really shouldn’t have been at work though...
for you. I’m sorry you’re going through this. If you get concerned, did the hospital give you a number to call for reassurance?

[sjc1981]

Thank you for your reply and I’m so sorry you have been through this more than once.
I will ring the EPC tomorrow they have been just amazing, they literally operate out of a cupboard but they are the most amazing, caring supportive people. I’m sure if they can’t give me an answer they will point me in the right direction. Just so long as it’s not at my GP. I have recently lost all faith in the GP practice which is very sad.
Thank you for sharing I really appreciate it. X

[Bucketsandspoons]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I bled horrendously for some days after mine, and ended up with a minor infection that took a couple of weeks to clear. I saw my GP who was not much use, and looking back I should have contacted the hospital unit instead. I'm glad you've decided to ring in the morning, I hope they can help.

[sjc1981]

Thank you, yes I think it is best to be on the safe side. I don’t have a temperature but I took some codine earlier and it hasn’t helped.
I’m so terrified of getting an infection. X

[mindutopia]

Has the bleeding stopped now? In my experience, I had a lot of heavy bleeding for about 24-36 hours after the operation, though not much discomfort other than just some soreness and tenderness, no cramping. I don't know if you have other children, but I would liken it to the first few days of postnatal bleeding immediate after giving birth. I needed to wear maternity pads. It tapered off to light bleeding after that.

On day 6 after, I suddenly had painful cramping and heavy gushing bleeding. It was my first day back to work. I had to leave early (I have a long commute home). I literally was walking up the steps at the train station trying to get home and I could feel it pouring out (thankfully, I had a heavy maternity pad on). The heavy bleeding and cramping lasted about 2-3 hours and then it was gone. I had only light brown spotting which tapered off a few days after that. So in my experience, it can be quite normal to have heavy bleeding and cramping after. I suspect there must have just been a bit left or a blood clot or something that needed to come out. I felt fine, no fever, and it was relatively short-lived.

If it's stopped now, I suspect you are probably fine, but if you feel at all unwell (malaise, fever, lots of pain), I would definitely get yourself checked out.

[sjc1981]

Thank you, I rang the EPC this morning and they have said if it continues to Thursday I need to go back in. Mornings are fine, I get to 4/4:30 in the afternoon and feel like I’m in early labour and have lots of bleeding. I’m not so worried now having spoken to the amazing team at the EPC but I just want this to be over. We are incredibly lucky to already have a son and I just want to get back to normal for him. He is an incredibly sensitive little boy and me being unwell has been tough on him.
I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, I know it must be hard to bring it all up again. Thank you xxx

[Bucketsandspoons]

Glad they could reassure you, I hope it settles down soon

It really took it out of me, it was about three weeks for things to physically settle down.