Inducing a miscarriage for nonviable pregnancy

[Quarry1]

Hello all,

My 7 week non viable pregnancy doesn’t seem to want to miscarry naturally and I can’t stand waiting for it to happen. Does anyone have a view on the least-worst way to induce it? Medically or D&C?

I’d like to get back to TTC and IVF as soon as possible, so the quickest way to get my cycle and uterus back to normal would be preferable.

It’s all so grim and I don’t know what to do. The doctor wants me to wait longer for it to happen naturally but I can’t bear it.

Any advice most welcome, thank you.

My fertility doctor strongly advised against a D&C as it can cause damage. I had the medical management, it worked for me but wasn't pleasant but bearable. How long have you been waiting? I waited a week after stopping progesterone before taking the first pill, then 2 days later took the 2nd pill and the miscarriage started very quickly. Sorry you're going through this.

Thank you, that’s interesting from your fertility doctor. Mine said there wouldn’t be any difference between the options but I thought the medical route sounded least invasive. Sorry to hear you’ve been through this too.

@FoxtrotSkarloey It’s only been a week so far. Feels like longer! Thank you for responding.

I had a D&C after a missed miscarriage and I think if you have a good surgeon it wont cause any damage. Psychologically, for me, it was so much better than waiting for nature to take its course or have to go through passing the fetus. Also it meant the fetus could be tested to see what went wrong and that gave me peace of mind afterwards knowing that it was doomed from the start and nothing I could have done. Sorry you are going through this, it really sucks.

I’m so sorry, Quarry1.

I would avoid a D&C, as it can occasionally cause Asherman’s syndrome. Plus, if you are having IVF, I wouldn’t personally want to undergo another medial procedure, especially one with sad connotations. That could just be me, though.

They advised against it due to the risk of Asherman's syndrome. My fertility acupuncturist has also treated people with Asherman's syndrome after d&C's and advised against it (although i don't think it's common I didn't want to take the risk as I was already struggling to conceive). My 2nd MC started 4 days naturally after stopping progesterone but I wasn't as far along as the first time. I do remember desperately wanting to get it over with.

@Samosaurus thank you, and so sorry to hear you’ve been through it. I can definitely imagine the psychological benefit of the D&C. Do you still bleed afterwards or is it all over?

@Tolleshunt thank you for responding and your kind words. I have definitely had enough of being poked and prodded but I think there’s inevitably more of that ahead!

I hear you about the poking and prodding. My DD is the result of ART, and even though we had a relatively smooth run of it, it was so, so hard to endure. I wish you much luck and plain sailing from now on.

Sorry, that last not sounded a bit blithe, which was not what I meant. I didn’t mean to gloss over what you are going through. Just sending all warmest wishes.

I'm so sorry, it's a horrible situation I don't think anyone expects to experience. I was very much the same as you in I just wanted to get it over with. I tried waiting it out but my body just wasn't catching on quick enough. I eventually opted for the tablets after a week of waiting for it to start. Although horrible, looking back I think it was definitely best for my situation. I went back home to my mum who looked after me as my partner's work weren't very understanding at all and wouldn't allow him any time off. It was a day of very heavy bleeding and then a day of intense cramping but after that everything settled down into what felt like a heavy period for a couple of weeks. Everyone's experience is different, I just wanted to let you know how it was for me. If I could give any advice, plenty clean jammie bottoms, pain relief, good films to cheer you up and cuddles from a loved one helped me.

Thank you everyone, this has been really helpful and I’m grateful for your honesty and advice. I’ll speak to the doctor again on Tuesday (if nothing has happened before then). X

@Quarry1 I actually didn't bleed at all after mine, but apparently some people do. My period returned 5 weeks later and I was scanned then to check there was no scarring. I think Asherman's syndrome is rare, but if you are worried about it then not worth putting yourself through the stress I guess. I really hope this is resolved for you soon so you can begin to heal and get back to TTC x

I couldn’t wait OP- I needed to get it over with and be in control in some way so I had the d and c- this was at 8 weeks pregnant when a scan showed it wasn’t a viable pregnancy. I also had fertility issues and knew I’d have to do Ivf soon afterwards (this was a surprise natural pregnancy just after we had been put on the list for Ivf). It really sucks.

I've done both. I had a medical management which despite lots of bleeding and an overnight stay in hospital on gas and air, didn't work. I went back to work as I had already had a week off and ended up starting to bleed very heavily on my 40 mile drive home. Ended up miscarrying in the bath about 9pm.

Second time was only 4 months later, i just asked for a D&C rather than go through that again. I was in the middle of a week long work project for which I was getting a really good daily rate and I couldn't afford to pass it up. Meant that I only needed one day off and I could move on from it.

Hi @Quarry1.
I've seen this post. I was wondering how you got on?
I had it confirmed on Monday that my pregnancy is non viable (9 weeks). The fetus has stopped growing. It was such a shock. 2 years and 4 cycles and I thought, yes! We've finally did it.

I'm currently waiting for nature to take its course. It's becoming a very hard wait. I'm not even getting a twinge. No spotting. Nothing. I'm giving it until the end of the week, then I want to seriously consider getting the medication to help things along...

I don't know what to do with myself. I feel like a zombie. I still have mild pregnancy symptoms too, which is brutal.

This is the worst and I don't know how us women do it.

Hi @NRW39,

I was so sorry to read your message. Brutal is the only word for it.

I just keep repeating to myself ‘be brave, it’s all you can do’, which sometimes helps but more often doesn’t!

I hope you get some good news soon.

Hi @Quarry1
Thanks for your message. I passed the baby on Monday at home; with the help of some medication. It was very hard, it still is, but I'm glad I opted to handle things this way. I'm just trying to get through each day at the moment.

The thought of Christmas makes me angry and sad. This is not how i envisioned Christmas being this year. I basically want to cancel Christmas. I couldn't care less about it. It's bloody horrible.

We are lucky to have one frozen embryo, so it's not over yet...

I’ve been told that all the pregnancy hormones make you very fertile for a while afterwards, so hopefully you’ll have the best opportunity for your frozen embryo to thrive.

I know what you mean about Christmas. My sister is newly pregnant, and (while I’m obviously pleased for her) that’s going to be tough.