ERPC or emergency D&C - what are the after effects?

[Goofymum]

I just wanted to know if anyone else had been through this and what the recovery is like? Also, please reassure me I'll feel normal again soon.
I was taken into A&E on Tuesday morning after my poor DH found me collapsed on the bathroom floor. I had been bleeding heavily for 3 days with huge regular clots, towards the end they were every 15 minutes and came with a labour like contraction. Stupidly I though this was part and parcel of a MC. I'd lost so much blood that I needed a transfusion of 4 units and an emergency D&C. It is now Friday and the bleeding is pretty minimal now.
I am expecting to be exhausted and weak following the blood loss but what about recovery? When will I start to feel better again? What side effects of the surgery did you experience? Am on iron and antibiotics now as a precaution.

I am sorry for your loss you have been through a really bad experience. Hope you are getting a lot of tlc.

I have had an erpc and a natural miscarriage. I found the physical recovery better with the erpc from a hormone point of view. I felt physically well after a few hours. With the natural miscarriage I felt drained for 2/3 weeks and it went on and on.

But we are all different and you have been through a real trauma. I had a bad hemorrhage after a live birth and it took a while to get over it. You will probably feel really tired. I would recommend taking your iron tablets with orange juice to help absorption, avoid drinking tea. Also dark chocolate contains plenty of iron.

Thanks Uggmum. I am hoping that actually the recovery will be quicker after having a blood transfusion because of the iron boost. I remember the recovery being slow when I miscarried naturally before and when I had blood loss after a ECSection. Oops, was taking my iron tablet with my morning tea. Will read the leaflet....

I am sorry you are having such a terrible time. Your situation sounds quite similar to mine. I also lost a lot of blood and thought it was normal and finally went to the ER after 3-4 days when I really felt like I couldn't function anymore. I only needed 2 units of blood and I felt dreadful so I can't imagine how you must feel. Also got antibiotics because I had a fever and awful cough. The good news is that it's now 3 weeks later and I feel almost back to normal (and I have felt this way for about 1 week). Take your iron, eat well and REST. I take my iron in 2 doses (morning and evening): my OB explained that you can only absorb a limited amount of iron at one time so if you split it up, your body get 2 opportunities to get some much needed iron. I also take a regular multivitamin in the middle of the day which has a bit of iron in it too. It will get better but it does take time.

Tessa it is really good to hear that you went thru the same and feel better after 2 or 3 weeks (sorry you had to go through it though - is scary isn't it!). They have given me iron in a once daily dose and am not sure if I can split the tablets. I think I'll start taking my multivitamin too.
Do you remember having really achey arms after your transfusion? It is achey to put my bra on and it ached to fill in a form today! Also pounding in your ears when you walk around?

Yes I did get the pounding in my ears - I noticed it more at night when I was lying down and it was so bad it kept me awake! I think it's just to do with your blood volume coming back to normal. Be careful standing up from sitting/lying down - that's when it was the worst. Also take it easy on the stairs (if you are up to doing them yet). It did go away. I felt just a general aching but that too has gone now. I hope you start feeling better soon.

Thanks Tessa. Yes, I do have to have a sit down after going up the stairs! Good to know it'll go away eventually.