I’m really sorry to hear it was a difficult appointment @brambleramble. Hopefully you get your results quickly so that you know one way or another as the waiting is so difficult.
You can ask me any questions you want about my experience - I am happy to share particularly if it helps someone else. Though reading through threads on here and the ARC forum, it would appear that everyone has their own experience - mine was generally positive (as much as this is possible in such a difficult situation).
I was petrified of delivery, especially as I’ve had two c sections previously, and was sure I wanted it done surgically. However, the hospital had been so amazing and supportive and I wanted it done as quickly as possible so went for medical management at the hospital we’d had our scans and CVS at. Surgical was not an option here and we’d have had to arrange our own appointment through BPAS if we wanted to go down that route whereas medical management could start the next day.
I went in the next day, spoke to the consultant and the midwife. I asked a lot of very specific questions including how much I’d bleed before the actual delivery and what it might feel like. Some of this was useful and very accurate, other was not so true for me. However, I know this has varied for people when reading other stories online. I got the first tablet - I struggled to keep food down for long after this but I am aware this could have been worry.
Two days later we came back in - I’d got the beginning of some gentle period pains and I thought I could see some very pale pink when I wiped but couldn’t be sure. We were in a private room with a toilet - fair warning: once the procedure had started (pessary inserted) I was told everything had to be done into a bowl as they wanted to check blood loss constantly. However that includes EVERYTHING that comes out of you during the wait - luckily someone else had mentioned this in another thread on here so although I was still mortified, it wasn’t a shock!
I was told that they would regularly give me more medication every few hours and this would eventually result in the delivery. I could ask for any pain relief as time went on. My experience here is not what I’ve seen often on here but the whole process from pessary to delivery of placenta took less than 2 hours - I never got any other medication (other than one dose of pain relief which I requested - if I’d have known it was going that quick I’d have asked for me). I had about 30/45 mins of quite intense contractions (this was by far the worst bit for me) then felt a rush which I assumed was the start of bleeding along with some pressure. I went to the toilet and with one squeeze (involuntarily and with no pain) I delivered my baby into the bowl. The nurse came and at my request took it away while I then repeated the process about 15 mins later to deliver the placenta. Once this was done the pain just disappeared. They brought my baby back for me to meet about an hour later (at my request). They also did hand and footprints which I picked up a week later.
I had dull period type pains for a bit longer - they came in waves but were hardly noticeable. I delivered a bit more placenta and had quite a bit of bleeding before I went home and more placenta again the next morning (I think - could have been a clot but the waves make me think not) I was only in hospital for about 8 hours altogether and that was because they monitored my blood pressure as it dropped a lot afterwards. Other than taking blood pressure and administering medication (anti-sickness jab was the best thing ever after being nauseous for 12 weeks straight) we didn’t really see anyone unless we asked for it. After the procedure was over, the bereavement midwife visited (I’ve seen her last week too) and the chaplain came down as well.
The week after was tough - my bleeding settled and was more like spotting from about 4 days. However my milk tried to come in and my boobs were so sore and hard - luckily this subsided quickly too. I’m now waiting to do a pregnancy test next week - other than the slight spotting I feel physically okay and even managed a short run today! Emotionally it’s like being on a tightrope - I’m okay but then one small thing tips me. I’m signed off work and am taking time for myself. We plan to try again as soon as possible - I’m 39 so feel like I need to get on with it.
Hopefully this is useful (and it would be wonderful if you never needed it). I know reading stories like this on here helped me prepare and sort out my wishes in the run up to getting our results so if reading this helps one person then it’s been worth writing!