Retained products after ERPC

[Coconutfeet]

I had an ERPC at the end of January. I didn?t feel right afterwards and pregnancy tests kept coming back positive and weren?t getting any fainter. There were various to-ings and fro-ings to the hospital and it turns out that they managed to leave some of the ?products? behind. I had some really heavy bleeding/passed clots etc a few days ago and really hoped that they had come away, but had another scan yesterday and it turns out there?s still some left behind. They don?t want to give me another ERPC because there are apparently increased risks the second time around so I?m just left waiting, unsure what to expect and how bad it?s going to get before it?s over. I don't want to have another ERPC but I just want it to be finished now.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, how long did it take to sort itself out?

It?s 7 weeks now since the op I?m really fed up or feeling rubbish and not being able to move on.

I've had two experiences of this type of thing. The first time I was given really strong antibiotics which they hoped would make the body pass what was left behind. It did work to an extent but not 100% so I had to have another procedure. The second time it happened, I decided in my infinite wisdom to try and be brave and have an ERPC under local instead of general anesthetic. Big mistake! it was so painful and upsetting that I couldn't let her finish. There was a very small amount of "product" left behind which passed naturally within a couple of weeks.

Do you think you could get some antibiotics to try from your GP? Or perhaps the medication that causes you to pass the pregnancy? It's quite rare for this to be prescribed for some reason but I do wonder why. They prescribe it for unwanted pregnancies prior to 12 weeks and I just can't imagine why this method isn't preferable to surgery which carries greater risks, surely?

If not it might be worth trying to pursue another ERPC. It's horrible enough to go through the loss and the initial ERPC, I'm sorry you are having to suffer further. It's especially hard because amongst all the upset that you must be feeling, not having control over when your hormones settle is even harder. Especially if you want to start TTC again.

I've been through this and understand how unwell you must be feeling. I was bleeding on and off and feeling very poorly so I had a second ERPC after about 8 weeks. It was because I was so worried that my uterus would be damaged in some way and I wanted to recover and conceive again asap.

Crystalglasses and Havingkittens thank you for your replies. I'm sorry that you've both had to go through this (and twice Havingkittens! How awful for you. Do you have a tilted uterus by any chance? I was told that this is why it happened to me). It's good to hear from others who know how I'm feeling.

I'm worried about any possible damage to my uterus too Crystalglasses, although I wouldn't be at all suprised if they eventually decide to give me another ERPC in the end as this has been dragging on for so long. I just want it all over and done with as I've got an appointment with the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic in May and they can't run any tests until I'm back to normal. The doctor didn't mention medication as a possible option for me - Perhaps I should ask about it when I go back.

Hi coconutfeet

Sorry that you are still suffering with this.

I think its very responsible of your hospital/doctor to want to avoid a second ERPC. I am sure you know my story already but I got Ashermans Syndrome from having 2 ERPCs (they werent back to back for the same situation, but I wont bore you will all the details) They are right to warn you that the risks increase if the uterus has recently been operated on, or is quite enlarged as in late preganancy/after a birth when its is still stretched and therefore extra sensitive.

I agree with HavingKittens that medial management (cytotec) would be a good option, could you request it? If all else fails and you decide to go for the second ERPC I would recommend that you ask for it to be performed under ultra sound guidance so that the surgeon can see exactly what they are removing and take more care not to damage the endometrium. You can also ask for a course of high dose estrogen which will help your lining grow quickly and therefore not give any scar tissue a chance to form. If your doctors are already acknowledging that there is a risk then you stand a good chance of getting these requests met. There is more information about Ashermans on www.ashermans.org

Mummyabroad - Thank you so much for taking the time to post this. I knew about your AS but had no idea it was as a result of having 2 ERPCs.

It's very good to know that the consultant is being responsible. I think I will request medical management if it doesn't sort itself out soon. The only thing that was putting me off that I've read a few people online saying that they think it may have messed up their cycles. That said, the longer this goes on, the more attractive it's looking as an option!

I will look up the Ashermans information now.

Thanks again!