ERPC vs conservative maagement

[napa]

sorry for such a depressing subject but need some advice. had scan today, should be 10+2 but no FH seen and only measuring 8+6. Going back on monday for rescan to confirm but I have no doubt it is a mmc. I need to decide whether to have ERPC or wait and see. I am going on holiday in 2 weeks so part of me wants it sorted but I'm terrified of hospitals. Can anyone advise me of their experiences of either if its not too personal. Thanks

Hi Napa sorry your scan did not go well

I decided against ERPC as I'm not good with hospitals either. I was 9 weeks when m/c confirmed after slight bleeding, the heavy bleeding didn't start for about a week after and took about 10 days. It was like a heavy period although you can't use tampons, the cramps were bad but nurofen helped.

Napa, sorry about your news. I discovered a MMC at an 8 week scan. I decided to go for an ERPC after consulting with 2 gynaes. Some women prefer to let nature take its course, and it is a personal decision in the end. I decided to go for an ERPC for several reasons. First, as I work and sometimes travel for work, I did not want to take the risk of heavy bleeding starting some time when I am either in the office or on a plane or train somewhere (also my colleagues did not know about the pg or mmc and I did not want them to know). Secondly, there is a risk that it takes a long time for your body to mc naturally, and there can be complications- or even if it does, some pregnancy tissue might remain, and you have to go and have an ERPC anyway. Also, for me - and this is just a personal feeling - I couldn't bear the thought of continuing to carry a dead fetus inside me, and having the procedure gave me closure - able to move on and start to TTC again. I went into the hospital at around 3pm, procedure was very quick (takes about 30 minutes), under general anesthesia so didn't feel a thing, and I went back home that night. Hospital did a scan to check that everything went ok. Also, because I did the ERPC, the hospital was able to test the fetus to find the reason for the MC - in my case, chromosomal (which just means random bad luck usually). I had some heavy bleeding for a few days afterwards - really heavy for 2-3 days, with cramps, and then light bleeding (like a fairly light period) for another week. So probably less bleeding and lighter than a natural MC. Same as Claire, can't use tampons for a while and no baths for about a week (only showers). But I had the ERPC on a Friday and was back at work on Monday - so neither the bleeding nor the cramps were that bad.
Good luck with your scan and with your decision.

thanks for the info. think i will probably lean towards an ERPC but drs didn't really want to discuss options until after confirmation scan on Monday. good to know its a day case as I was dreading being in hosp after