Medical procedure after miscarriage – can anyone advise please?

[ZillionChocolate]

Hi, I'm hoping that someone can give me some information about what to expect. My friend has recently had her twelve week scan and her baby's heart wasn't beating. I'm going with her to hospital tomorrow and I think she has to take drugs to induce labour (rather than there being surgery). Can anyone advise any better on what's likely to happen? I want to be able to support her as best I can.

Just being there for her will be great.

I had a similar procedure for a miscarriage after DS before DD1. I wasn't given any drugs though. I had an ERPC (Evacuation of the Remains of the Products of Conception). I was given a general anaesthetic in theatre and woke up in recovery. Taken to my room (mine was done on private insurance not NHS), had to stay for a few hours, then eat a sandwich and have a drink before being taken home.

I have a vague recollection of having to have DH with me overnight due to general anaesthetic.

This was a long time ago, and not NHS, so it could be different.

Hi Zillion. I'm afraid I can't advise as I had the surgery following my miscarriage. I'm sure someone will be along who can advise you but you may have more luck if you post in the miscarriage section of the discussion boards.

I hope tomorrow goes ok for your friend.

Hi Zillion. Your friend may be given a tablet to take orally to soften the cervix ( poss had this today?) then the procedure is that a prostaglandin pessary is inserted into the vagina on a tampon, which will cause contractions of the uterus. I only had to stay an hour to make sure I didn't react badly then went home with the second dose to insert myself, but I was only 8 weeks, they may want to keep her in until she passes the sac. It's likely to take a while, so take plenty of change for parking meters, hospital TV tokens etc, trashy magazines, iPod etc. I'd encourage her to ask for strong painkillers, the contractions can be painful, and it's likely to be a bit grim in terms of heavy bleeding and she will probably need to collect any clots etc in one of the cardboard kidney dishes so it can be checked. A pretty horrible thing to go through, having a good friend to support her will be invaluable. It's worth having a look at the Miscarriage Association website for more of what to expect, and do point your friend towards the miscarriage board for support in the coming days.
for you both.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, I expect it's difficult to do and I appreciate it. She's been warned of a possibility if being kept in over night. Has already had some medication, perhaps the cervix softening.

I looked for a miscarriage section but didn't find it which is why I posted here. I think you've probably given me enough to go on, so thank you.

Miscarriage/ pregnancy loss board is in body and soul section hidden away lest we upset the happy pregnant people
Good luck and strength for tomorrow. I wish I had had a friend willing to be with me.

BakingTins, thanks to your suggestion I found a really helpful leaflet:

www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Management-of-miscarriage-T-Oct-10.pdf

Thank you for your best wishes.

I suppose if you wanted to post in the miscarriage section going through hoardes of pregnant women might be difficult, perhaps that's why it's in B&S.

It's the same process as a chemical TOP I believe. It can be extremely painful, but they can give everything from paracetamol to morphine, and she'll be well monitored. It's horrible though - I'm sure she'll be extremely grateful for you being there. Just holding her hand and being there is enough, but if you'll run for the nurse when she needs more pain relief quickly and go with her to the toilet when she's scared of seeing all the blood, you'll be doing amazingly. I'm sorry you're both having to go through this and I hope it goes as well as these things can.

Thanks RaRaZ. The painkillers were pretty effective and she was very brave.

Good. I'm glad you both got through it ok, as horrible as it must have been.