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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

ERPC operation

151 replies

1990fran · 01/10/2018 09:25

Dear all

I was 12 weeks pregnant, went for the scan and told baby stopped developing at 6 weeks 2.7 mm - I am off for another scan this Friday to make certain theres no further growth, if not then I will need to work out arrangements for miscarriage process. has anyone had the ERPC? am I able to request this at the hospital on the day? I would opt for tablets and suffer at home but im scared of what I might see... some people said its like a heavy period, others said they saw a sac and fetus and that would really hurt me to see.. plus if not all the pregnancy comes out, id have to go back to hospital to have the remains taken

if anyone has any advise on this that would be great
thank you

OP posts:
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Diamond1703 · 01/10/2018 09:41

I'm so sorry for you. I had a very similar experience- foetus stopped developing at 6 weeks. I miscarried a few days after scan so didn't need intervention. Pain was minimal but there was a great deal of blood- had to sit on toilet for about 2 hours as towels couldn't cut it. Didn't see anything but did feel a few clots come out. Then had about a week of heavy.period type loss. I don't think you'll see much unless you really examine things at this stage.
Hope you're ok emotionally. X

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Lauraliverpool · 01/10/2018 09:48

Hi, I am very sorry to hear you have gone through this too, I had a erpc in June after a missed miscarriage, we saw our babies heartbeat twice on a early reassure scan and at a private scan then went for one about 2 weeks later and there was no heartbeat, this was the second erpc I had I also had one in June 2015 after the medical management did not completely work. Don't really remember anything after you are put asleep, woke up in recovery with some pain which they will give you something before and after. Bled for about a week or so and was given codeine to take which helped. Sending you lots of love at this difficult time. Xxx

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julygirl · 01/10/2018 20:15

Hi Fran, So sorry you are going through this, I had the op two weeks ago, after an early private scan.

We had to go in the day before for consent forms and bloods and to speak to the doctors about the procedure. They try to be gentle with the explanation - if you want more information make sure you ask as many questions as you want. The next day my DH and I went to the hospital and the nurses and drs were amazing, so compassionate and kind - I felt very looked after. You don't feel or see anything and the pain (cramps and spotting) isn't too bad either - they give you pain relief for it - I've just stopped bleeding on the weekend. They take the remains away and I was told they do testing to make sure there wasn't any underlying issues (I still struggle with that part about my baby's remains) but I like that we might get answers if there are any. I've read very mixed stories about the natural way - I was too upset and scared about seeing it and the pain (it was my first pregnancy) - but some women say it can be a very healing process.

We decided the op was for us because i had such anxiety about what I would experience naturally (I was thankful to have the choice and not the awful surprise some ladies have had). Looking back - there isn't a right decision - its still emotionally hard which ever way, make the best decision for you as a woman and as a mother.

I hope you are getting all the love and support you deserve and keep coming back here for support and advice - we are all in this together and you aren't alone xx

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VeganCanBeFabulous · 01/10/2018 20:44

I have had an ERPC myself and also work as a theatre nurse and have assisted surgeons performing these procedures.

I had a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks, baby had stopped growing at 4 weeks. I opted for the op because I was devastated and I wanted it to be over and not long and drawn out. I completely understand that other people feel very differently about that.

The procedure was fine, went to sleep and woke up in recovery. I had a little bit of bleeding and cramping afterwards but not much. I do know that our trust do not routinely carry out testing after the procedure and they are generally taken for "sensitive disposal" (taken to our local crematorium). I think I had to wait a couple of days once I had decided which option to go for. You have to be fasted as it is a general anaesthetic and I would imagine it would be rare to have an erpc on the same day as the decision is made.

I have also had an early miscarriage which happened naturally at about 5-6 weeks. I had quite a lot of cramping and bleeding with large clots but did not see anything that looked like a foetus. It took over a week for the bleeding to stop but it was bearable. I would imagine that would be similar to a medical management of miscarriage.

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Alwaysatyke · 01/10/2018 20:58

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this Flowers

I've had this op twice after mmc discovered around 12 weeks, both times under general anaesthetic (was offered local the second time). Couldn't be done same day as mmc was discovered but within a few days (the day after for the second time).

I went in to hospital early (7.30) and had to go on acute op waiting list - so basically you wait for a theatre to become free. It's tough as the staff can't give you an idea of how long you'll have to wait. I was nil by mouth, although the hospital (where I also work) has since relaxed these guidelines for otherwise healthy people.

The op itself was absolutely fine, no pain afterwards and I had no concerns about it. I was free to go home fairly soon after but obviously couldn't drive myself home due to the GA.

Like others have said I chose that option over medical management because it meant it was over quickly and in defined timescale rather than having to wait, plus i couldn't face the possibility of seeing recognisable tissue. DH found it hard as he couldn't be at hospital with me so felt very guilty leaving me. I was sad, obviously, but it was ok. The staff were lovely and understanding, they deal with this a lot.

Whatever you do I hope you're able to give yourself time to properly grieve and heal xx

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Funnybunnyfluff · 01/10/2018 21:47

Really interesting for me to hear this.

I had a MMC confirmed on 13th Sept and was hoping it would happen naturally. I tried medical management twice last week. Had the cramps bit of bleeding but I'm still bleeding on and off now. It didn't work I don't believe.

I have another scan tomorrow as I think I now need the Op. I'm scared as I have never been in hospital. However Iv been bleeding for 3 weeks on Wednesday and I wish I had gone for the medical op as my first option.

If this ever happens to me again I will go down that route. I just want this nightmare to be over.

@1990fran It's hard to know the beat option and sorry you are suffering, I understand your heart ache.

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TellMeDinosaurFacts · 01/10/2018 22:00

I’ve had two erpc, both on the same day of discovering a MMC (was lucky I hadn’t eaten the first time, second time I fasted just in case and unfortunately my pessimism was proven right). Like others, I was really pleased that the miscarriage wasn’t a drawn out process. I had GA and the process seemed quick each time. I was home a couple of hours later. Afterwards it just felt like a crampy period for a couple of days I think, and I probably felt more or less normal after 2-3 days (physically; emotionally it took much longer to recover).
After those 2 MMC I did go on to have two uneventful, normal pregnancies. It surprised me when I told people how many others had experienced losses in pregnancy too.
Please look after yourself; I’m so sorry you have to go through this. Flowers

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littlenicky61 · 01/10/2018 22:00

So sorry for your loss . I was 13 weeks when I started spotting and a scan showed baby had stopped growing at 9 weeks. I optedfor the natural route and to be really frank and honest I wish I hadnt. Ibled really heavily to point I went to a and e was very painful cramps and scary and distressing and i ended up having to have the ERPC anyway the next day which was a simple proceedure I recovered well from . Two months later I was pregnant again with my son who is now 11.I would advise having the op. Be gentle with yourself its a distressing time and I wish you all the best xxc

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Ithinkthatsenough · 02/10/2018 08:55

The operation was the least traumatic part of my mmc. Saw a healthy baby at 11+5 at private scan. Went in for nhs scan and baby had died, a day after the other scan.

They almost wouldny give me an op thoigh as baby was over 12 weeks. I dug my heels in as i couldnt face “giving birth”, waiting and managing kids who didnt know what had happaned,and i live far from the hospital.
Physical recovery was quick and relatively painless x

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CloBo91 · 02/10/2018 14:05

I feel your pain, it was confirmed after having 3 NHS at EPU where in two of them I saw the heartbeat that today the baby heartbeat is no longer there and I have started to spot but my cervix is closed.

For me that last 3 weeks have been filled with worry and anxiety frequent visits to EPU with spotting and bleeding due to a Hematoma and today our "lucky streak" came to an end.

I have decided on Surgical which I will be having just because baby is 7 weeks+3 days and I feel we've both been through a lot being poked and prodded over last 3 weeks and I want us both find some peace, which I know may sound silly and I'm really struggling emotional at carrying this baby I now know no longer has lifeSad

I hope whatever you decide on, gives you peace and time to heal. xxx

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Funnybunnyfluff · 02/10/2018 14:13

Have my scan today and as I expected it had not all being passed.

I have already had medical management twice last week and now have op booked in for Friday.

Must admit I'm really scared of being put to sleep and just going into a hospital in general they scare me but I need closure it's been 3 long weeks now.

Do you feel u unwell after the op? Is there much bleeding afterwards?

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julygirl · 02/10/2018 15:12

I was petrified about going under, I'd never had a GA before (had never been to hospital before), but the staff were warm and assuring and I had a nurse hold my hand and talk to me until I was asleep and the next thing I remember is the post op nurse saying "wake up sweetheart". It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't feel drowsy much or in much pain (like the first days of period cramps), the bleeding is more like spotting, like end of period bleeding, it's there and it happens but it's not a rush of blood. I was discharged three hours later and lunch. I was very tired from the op and the emotion of it all, I'm so pleased I took the days off after it. Be gentle to yourself after it. But it's a comfort to know its over and the emotional healing can start. Tell the Dr that you are nervous, be honest and theyll help you through it. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Xx

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CloBo91 · 02/10/2018 15:24

Funnybunnyfluff I know that feeling of needing closure although my baby's heartbeat only stopped Saturday after I had seen it flickering away Wednesday the constant worry and bleeding and back and forwards to hospital hasn't been a pleasant experience and I am ready for us both to find peace.

I'm really scared too I have never had general I had c section with my last DD and that was a really scary experience for me.

I wish you lots of luck I have my procedure on Thursday.Thanksxx

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bellainthemiddle · 02/10/2018 16:18

Good luck to you all - it does sound scary and I'm glad I've never had to go through this, but I'm sure you will be looked after. Hugs!

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Funnybunnyfluff · 02/10/2018 16:46

@CloBo91

Really sorry for your loss.

That's a quick turn around, I wish I had gone down this route first.

It's just been all the stress of the last 3 weeks. I have never been to hospital for anything so I will definitely tell them I am scared.

I also think because it's a personal area they doing things to that makes me feel uneasy.

I will be Ok and battle on.

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OctoberGirl91 · 02/10/2018 18:09

@Funnybunnyfluff

I will post a reassuring message for your once I'm home on Thursday and let you know how I got on.

I'll think of you FridayStar
xx

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OctoberGirl91 · 02/10/2018 18:10

P.S I have just changed my username, just so you aren't confused x

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Funnybunnyfluff · 02/10/2018 18:26

@OctoberGirl91

I will also be thinking of you on Thursday.

Hope it all goes well I'm sure it will for us both.

Are you trying again as soon as you can or leaving it for a while? I was to try again ASAP just scared of it happening again.

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OctoberGirl91 · 02/10/2018 20:32

@Funnybunnyfluff
My DH is very very dubious to start trying again, we may leave it two cycles before we do.

This is our first MC after our 2 DD's and it's knocked us sideways. So I think I will take some time but I do definitely want DC3.

Let's hope our next conception is a healthy and happy one x

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Funnybunnyfluff · 04/10/2018 09:05

@OctoberGirl91

Thinking of you today. Xx

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OctoberGirl91 · 04/10/2018 14:50

@Funnybunnyfluff

Thank you, I am at home now resting, with a empty feeling 😥

Good luck for tomorrow, they were amazing and I don't remember falling to sleep.

I'll be thinking of you x

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Funnybunnyfluff · 04/10/2018 15:01

@OctoberGirl91

Pleased it all went well for you. I just want over with. Trying not to stress. Did you have to be there really early?

I'm sure a very sad feeling xxx

Glad your home and resting xx

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OctoberGirl91 · 05/10/2018 10:18

@Funnybunnyfluff good luck today I'll be thinking of you xxx💖

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Funnybunnyfluff · 05/10/2018 14:44

@OctoberGirl91

I'm home now, all went well. Was tearful while I was waiting but I think it's more not know what's going to happen to me.

All ok glad to be home. Same as you going to rest and watch some crap on tv. Probably sleep I feel tired was an early start.

Hopefully the bleeding will stop soon. Xxx

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OctoberGirl91 · 05/10/2018 16:38

💖 such an emotional day isn’t it, I was glad to be home.

I’m still coming to terms my emotions today I’ve only had slight spotting not had much loss. Hope it’s same for you, as it’s just a usual reminder of what was.

I wish you lots of luck with your next conception and sticky baby dust when your ready xxx

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