Experiences of ERPC and impact on IVF

[Flameredbus]

Hi i wonder if anyone has experience to share please. I recently had a BFP after 1st round of IVF. We were thrilled. At 7 weeks however a scan showed a mmc. We are now considering our options - a natural miscarriage, medical help or ERPC. We want to try again with a FET but i am concerned of the risks with ERPC and whether it might impact on future transfers. Any thoughts would be gratefully received please.

Any products of conception in the uterus will be tiny so I wouldn't take risks with ERPC. Didn't the doctor recommend to wait a couple of weeks to see if things clear out on their own? I think that's normally what's advised. And then, if things don't move, you can get the pill to detach things from your uterine lining and bring things on.

I've had two ERPC and wouldn't hesitate to have another one. For me the advantages were

1. Knowing exactly when it would be over - didn't want the uncertainty of it starting anywhere - at work, etc.
2. Psychologically it was far easier to deal with once the physical side of things was over
3. I wasn't miscarrying naturally in both cases (my blighted ovum which was non-IVF was diagnosed at around 11 weeks by chance, didn't have any symptoms), my second was a mmc from an IVF pregnancy diagnosed at 9 week but heartbeat had stopped probably a day after my 7 week scan. It's worth bearing in mind that it could take weeks for you to miscarry naturally, you just don't know.
4. My periods returned in both cases within 5 weeks of the ERPC and my cycles returned to normal immediately (again this was just me so other people may be different)

The majority of risks (retained products, etc) are the same for each type of management (natural, medical or surgical) and every risk is small with each type (although possibly slightly higher, still small, with ERPC - they do tell you the risks and odds if/when you decide this is what you want). I have never seen any evidence that it would affect future transfers - in fact the surgeon who did my last ERPC was a colleague of my IVF consultant so I feel like she would have advised me against it if there was any chance of it affecting future cycles.

BUT at the end of the day you need to decide what's best for you. Just don't be put off any options because of people on the internet!

Thank you Tammy and JoJo

I’m so sorry for you. A miscarriage after IVF literally totally sucks.

I had Erpc following a miscarriage of IVF pregnancy. As soon as miscarriage was confirmed I wanted the Erpc as I felt like emotionally it suited me best - I could not deal with the waiting as I was desperate to get back onto the next cycle. I also had had a massive bleed 3 days prior to confirmed miscarriage (like I was bleeding so much when early pregnancy unit was scanning they had to admit me, I had a massive hematoma which caused the miscarriage). After seeing that there was no way I was prepared for a “spontaneous” passing the sac and more bleeding at home.

Maybe this is not everyone’s experience but I was shocked by the volume of blood loss even after having Erpc, it’s something that no one prepares you for so I just wanted to let you know.

Anyway I wasn’t aware of Erpc causing issues with future IVF cycles. My next IVF I got my twins (FET).

Hopefully you have a few nice people around you at this sad time to make you a cuppa or give you a cuddle.

Is ERPC the same as D&C?

Anyhow so sorry OP, awful to hear and shitty time of year for it.

I've had both a D&C and Natural miscarriage and I could be totally wrong but doesn't D&C carry certain (small) risks to cervix? I wouldn't if it was me, but as PP said it can take time so you might just want to get it out the way. Ask about any risks and decide from there.

Again, so sorry, I had a MC 3 days before Xmas many years ago and it was a really depressing time.

Wishing you a new year, new start and a new baby xxx

So sorry for your loss. I had a natural miscarriage at 10 weeks last year. The following month we went back to our clinic hoping to start a FET but retained products were seen at the baseline scan so I had to go back to hospital to get an ERPC. The whole saga dragged on for ages. If I had the choice I would have had the ERPC in the first place, but there would be barely anything there at 7 weeks so it's a tricky one xx