I had a medically managed miscarriage last November. I can't say that I'd recommend it, and will tell you of my experiences but want to point out that this may not be typical.
I was strongly persuaded by the midwives in the unit where the MMC was diagnosed to have a medically managed miscarriage. I was given a pill on our first visit to the hospital ward and signed the paperwork required. We came back two days later for pessaries and, what I'd been led to expect, was a just a day in hospital.
The first round of hormones kicked in after an hour or so. I had to have the maximum dose of 4 pessaries on 6 hourly intervals over the rest of the day, and into the night. I was encouraged to walk around, bear down when the contractions were at their worst while sitting on a bed pan, and to stay active. That was ok until I was doubled over and weeping with the pain!
It involved agonising contractions, sitting on a commode for the collection of all the blood etc that my poor husband so bravely had to take to the nurses for inspection, three hits of morphine to get me through the pain,and an overnight stay in the ward. In the morning I was told that I was going to be sent home. The nurses had said to us that they hadn't found the essential sac that I should have passed and I was still bleeding heavily and feeling very poorly.
I had to demand a scan to reassure me that it was all over. That took some persuasion, and I ended up terribly upset. However the scan showed the sac was still in place, so it had all been in vain. I ended up having another night in hospital followed by an ERPC.
Nobody had ever told me it might not work.
The whole process was painful, long and heartbreaking for both my husband and I. The ward where this procedure is carried out in my local hospital is linked to the maternity ward next door by double doors from the seating area. While waiting to be given our first tablet, and during my attempts to keep active during the contractions, we could hear the cries of newborn babies through the doors. Despite having a private room, and very kind nursing staff, it was a horrible ordeal that left me traumatised. Losing a baby is hard enough without the end being so very grim.
Everyone is different, and so I couldn't say what would be best for you. I have since had an ERPC following another MMC, which was much less stressful and afterwards experienced little pain and very little bleeding so I'd recommend that if it's an option, and also another miscarriage which was spontaneous and required no intervention other than pain relief and a few days at home feeling sorry for myself.
I feel for you very much, and you have all my deepest sympathy at this sad and confusing time. Take care of yourself, whatever you decide to do, and keep positive and try again when you feel up to it. It's probably been said to you already, but focus on the wonderful fact that you did get pregnant, and that it can happen again.
xxx