Help!! Retained products? (TMI warning)

[Moominsummermadness]

I had a mmc, diagnosed on 7th October at 13 1/2 weeks, baby died at 7+1. Had ERPC on 11th October. Didn't get any feedback after the procedure, staff were too busy. After 2 weeks of bleeding and pain, I saw GP, who prescribed antibiotics, in case of infection. Bleeding stopped a couple of days later. Continued to get cramping pain ocassionally, then on 8th November, I started dark brown spotting, then got what I thought was my period on 11th November. The bleeding is still continuing. Sometimes very light, sometimes bit heavier, verying from very dark brown, to bright red. After deciding that this definitely could not be normal, I went to the dr today, gave her my history, she prescribed a course of norethisterone to stop the bleeding, and said to go back once it had stopped, and she would examine me, and take some swabs. Anyway, tonight I went to the loo, and felt something slide out of me. I could see a large clot in the loo. I put on some rubber gloves, and fished it out. It was about 3 cm long, and meaty/gristly. I called MIL (who is a midwife), and she said to keep it cold, and go to the Dr with it tomorrow. It must be a bit of placenta, or something, and I'm worried that there may be more in there. Has anyone else had anything similar happen to them?

I think it does sound like retained product. I would advise going to the hospital rather than the GP. In my opinion you need the EPU where you were treated to scan you to see if there is anything else left in there, and to hae a look at what you have passed.
Hopefully now this has happened it will be over for you. Sorry that it has been such a dragged out ordeal, it's the last thing you need xx

I'm shocked they have just been giving you drugs and no scans to see whats going on! Please insist on having a scan, you may have passed what was retained now but you may easily still have more remaining.

Have you tried taking a pregnancy test. If you still have some retained product or if it was retained product you passed it is likely that you will still be getting a BFP. If it's BFP still insist on being seen you know your own body. Don't doubt yourself and I hope it's resolved for you quickly. Sending love

Sorry meant to say if you get a BFN still insist on being seen as you know your own body .....

Hello, thanks both of you for your advice. Kat, I have only just read your post- I saw the same GP as yesterday this morning. I told her what had happened, and showed her the 'thing'- she looked alarmed, and said that she would send it off to the lab. She agreed that it must be retained product, although Cher, I've had a BFN. She said that it might all be out now, but that I do need a scan to make sure. She couldn't say how long I've got to wait for a referral, I will just have to wait to get an appointment through the post. In the meantime, I've got to just monitor how things are, and when the bleeding stops (should be within 2 days with the tablets), I'll have to go back for some swabs. The whole experience has been awful, and it might not yet be over.

I think this doctor sounds a bit rubbish to be honest. Have you tried ringing the EPU instead? They might see you sooner without having to wait for the letter in the post. Tablets to stop the bleeding might not be the right thing. If the bleeding is due to "products" then surely it is something that does need to come out of you.

Hi again, sorry, have had a manic few days. The update is that the results came back from the lab, and it was indeed part of the placenta that had been retained (I said that there was nothing else it could have been!)The Dr asked if I had had my scan appointment through, and when I told her hadn't, she rang the on-call gynae at the hospital to see if I could be seen quickly. Basically, the gynaecologist said that because I was no longer bleeding (a result of the norethisterone), and haven't got any obvious signs of infection, as far as they are concerned, I need no follow-up, and they wouldn't offer me an urgent scan. It was probably the same gynaecologist who fluffed up the ERPC!!! My GP told me to keep the scan appointment when it comes through- to be on her, she has been really good, it's the rubbish hospital who have been at fault. I am going to send in a letter of complaint regarding all the errors and the total lack of compassion.