Was given a D&C at 6 weeks, but have a 7 week embryo still intact, will the D&C have caused any permenant damage at this early stage?

[twinklingfairy]

I had some bright red bleeding at 6 weeks. Was scanned and told was suspected molar pregnancy.
hCG levels was 32000, should be approx 5000 at this stage.
Was taken in the following day for a D&C and sent home to await results of tests on the placenta.
1 week later, went to doc for blood to be taken to check hCG levels had dropped.
Phoned today to say they had doubled.
Back to hospital for a scan and they discover that I am still pregnant!!

They now tell me that they think I had twins but miscarried one.
Tests on whatever they took out of me showed no signs of molar pregnancy.

Apart from feeling cross that this was a huuuge mistake that they have made, I am a little worried that the proceedure could have damaged my unborn baby.

How likely is this, given that it is only 7 weeks now. I guess not much brain development yet or even body. But will it all have harmed the baby at all?

if they didn't touch the sac that the baby is developing in the baby should not be in trouble but beware that dropping hormones levels could affect the pregnancy - you need those hormones to keep the pregnancy going until the placenta is well developed (12 weeks ish), the only other prob i can think of is risk of infection as they dilated your cervix to do the d&c.

on another note i suggest you meet with the hospitals patient liaison department to make a formal complaint

sorry forgot to add congratulations!!!

I am so sorry that you have been the victim of such a huge careless cock-up.

I am absolutely no expert, but I would hazard a guess that if the baby has survived this procedure s/he is likely to be a tough cookie and be intact development-wise.

I do hope you are taken very good care of from now on.

But how would you know if they had touched the sac?
How would they know? I mean aren't they pretty much working blind?

You're right, patients liason I am so cross about it. But they will all hope that I am so pleased to be pregnant that I will not follow up. But this could have been so much worse.
Not that I would ever have been aware of just how bad though

Me too, what a nightmare. Am also no expert but just to say this happenned to my mother when she was pg with my sister, 20 odd years ago now and everything was absolutely fine, though it was a stressful pregnancy for my mother. Nowadays I would hope that they will offer you extra scans as things progress to set your mind at rest. Good luck.

Yes, they have me booked in for a scan in 2 weeks and then my 12 week scan is already booked for 12 weeks.
I think I am gonna be one pampered patient!

so you should be!!

at this stage they should be able to see the sac on a scan and the outline is likely to look like a complete circle with beanie in the middle. good luck for the rest of your pregnancy.

i work in a hosp, people sue for a lot less so i think a complaint is the least of their worries based on how they have treated you!

Must take myself to bed. Had a stressful day, am pregnant, and all that.

Hey, if someone is on tomorrow would you mind awfully, bumping this thread?
I will be travelling all day but would love to hear other thoughts on the safety of my, newly discovered, baby.

TIA

You are sounding, for want of a better word, very together - very brave in the face of horrid adversity.

Am travelling myself tomorrow, but will bump it when I get in.

Wishing you all the best. x

Bump

Congratulations, on your pregnancy . What a careless mistake by the docs, im glad you are ok. Here's to a healthy and uneventful rest of your pregnancy!

I was told I had miscarried( for the 10th time) and I chose not to have a D&C in the hope that it would natrually come away ( couldn't face another). A few weeks later I found I was still pregnant. My ds is now three. I can't bare to think about what would have happened if I'd have said the same for the 1st 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc..(including one set of twins).
My friend was told she had lost her baby, but would not need a d&C, as it was early etc. She found out 7 1/2 months later that she was in fact pregant and it had been twins.
NOW, I always get a second opinion, because even experts can be wrong.

bumpity bump for your tough little bump

Gosh hope your pregnancy goes ok.

As an aside I don't think 32000 is particulary high for six weeks. My HCG was 21000 at six weeks with one pregnancy, 28000 with another pregnancy at 6 weeks.

I'm surprised you were taken in so fast for a D&C , did you not have a second scan first?

It does seem really quick to have had a d&c, I had a scan at 6+5 but they wanted to wait a further 12 days for a 2nd scan, with blood tests in between, before confirming it wasn't viable. Your high hcg levels must have concerned them, but high levels can mean multiple pregnancy, as well as molar
Wonderful news for you though, & I think you're right, you are going to be a very pampered patient. I'd be requesting very regular scans for one thing

TwinklingFairy, just heard about your great news on the MC Avengers thread and wanted to extend my congratulations...what wonderful news.

I was in a very similair situation (Was told I had a complete miscarriage, then told it was actually ectopic and was in hospital to receive the treatment for the EP when they found a 6 week pregnancy in the womb...) so can imagine the emotions you are dealing with now - disbelief, anger, excitement...

It is great news though and I would think that the fact that the baby has hung in so well and has continued to grow to 7 weeks is a GREAT sign. Good luck. Take it easy!!

Oh...and I lodged a complaint to the hospital after I eventually mc'ed my pregnancy (A completely seperate problem that you needn't worry about in your case) and found that the process of complaining was very therapeutic. Writing out exactly what had happened and being able to vent on the Hospital management was very helpful. I would suggest you follow up...imagine if these incorrect diagnoses continue and more woman are affected?

Twinkling, I don't know what to say, congratulations and good luck I guess. Everything crossed for your LO.

Aren't hcg levels higher in twin pregnancies? That may explain the drop when you lost one?

A little bump up for you and a huge Congratulations xx

I think surviving for week after the d+c is a really good sign,must be a toughie!
Fingers crossed and take it easy.Agree need to complain and that high hcg can be sign of twins so may have rushed d+c a bit.

My current pregnancy showed a foetal sac and heartbeat at 5.5 weeks, so I'm surprised they couldn't / didn't locate your enduring pregnancy with the first scan.

In any case, it's a huge cock up and they should be walking over broken glass to try and make up for the stress in any way they can.

I would document in writing your understanding of the outcome of any meetings you have re your complaint - and if possible, take an witness (a solicitor should really put the wind up them!).

Congratulations.

Congratulations... just wanted to add that exactly same thing happened when my mum was pregnant with my brother (I know a little time ago now) when it turned out she was 12 weeks pregnant. She had really straightforward pregnancy afterwards and he was always a little toughie...

TF - glad your original molar pregnancy post at this stage seems to be hopefully a viable pregnancy. I think it is really helpful to get it all out on paper and complain formally. Therapeutic (as another here says) even if it comes to nothing...
Keep well and Congratulations