Molar pregnancy, ERPC Thursday

[livismum]

Hi all, had my screening scan today, as soon as images came up I knew I could see no baby, gutted and confused as had no sign of anything being wrong felt just as I had in previous pregnancies (blessed with 2 DD's)
Spoke to lovely midwife who explained all about possibility of a molar pregnancy and how the hormones "tell" you are experiencing a normal pregnancy. Then saw another lovely registrar who explained and booked me in for ERPC on Thursday, explained all the possible complications and what happens after proper diagnosis.
I'm just so shocked, it's come from nowhere and I'm having surgery and possible months of follow up tests etc, and no baby around Christmas, and no TTC for at least 6 months (best case) it took a big discussion to try for DC3 and I'm struggling to take it in.
Just wondering if anyone has been through this (wouldn't wish it anyone!) as it's all new to me.
Thank you x

It's a huge shock going from expecting a baby to having to deal with ERPC and the prospects of tests for months. It will take you a while to process it.

I had a molar pregnancy a long time ago and not in this country, so the protocol was different, but from what I've read there is a very straightforward system for the testing - I had to go into hospital every time, but I think here you do it all by post.

I had a few complications so I had a one-year wait before TTC again, but I then got pregnant the first month, and after a lot of monitoring in the first few months of pregnancy, everything was fine and normal, and DD is now 9.

You'll find there are quite a few people on MN who have been through the whole process, if you search for old threads, and most have gone on to have normal pregnancies.

I am currently going through this, went for dating scan 6th June and got the same news as yourself except they thought it may be ectopic too so had to stay in the hospital until I had the evac 2 days later.

Remember crying whilst they gave me an internal scan as I knew something was wrong since the radiographer was silent.

I've taken comfort from the fact that there never was a baby but at the same time feel like I've been cheated out of grieving.

Worst part is that we will have to have tests etc all the way up to Christmas which is when we should be expecting our babies.

No real help I know but I am here and ready to go through this with you.

Ps. Was put in a ward with two women with hyperemesis, never have two people had more malevolent glares aimed at them than those poor misfortune the women

Accidental the thrown in at the end there!

Thanks OTTers so sorry you are going through it too, was very surreal seeing nothing on the scan, but yeah I feel I've lost a pregnancy not a baby. Haven't really cried yet, when DD's finally go to sleep might have a little sob!

It's horrid. I've got 3 dc already with fuss free pregnancies so I gaily told the world and his wife I was pregnant. I have had a week of awkward conversations and no one meeting my eye

Actually thought of practical information now:

I was only unaware (under anesthetic and waking up time) for about an hour.

I had slight crampy feeling after evac for about a day after but cocodamol more than sorted that out.

Very little bleeding, more a discharge for about 2 days.

Was tired (maybe due to 'sleeping' in a ward with vomiting ladies) for a few days afterward so might be good to make sure DH or other around to help with DDs.

I have a 2 week wait til outpatient appointment to check Hcg level but stomach has gone down (hasn't cancelled out over eating due to nausea sadly).

Also don't feel as sick, but still do feel nauseous if I get up in night/first thing in morning.

Hope some of this helps and any questions you might think of, please ask

Sorry, me again!

Just wanted to reassure you that the hospital staff/ health professionals (not sure what to call them as a group) were so lovely, kind, patient, explained everything very clearly and took all my worries (what if I have a hysterectomy? Over reacting slightly there) very seriously and never patronised.

Hope you are doing OK and you've got some RL support with you.

X

Don't apologise I was just telling DH that I had found someone useful on here! The staff were really lovely today, thing I was most worried about is no eating after 7.30am and I'm on the afternoon list
Thank you for the pointers it makes it a little scary hearing from someone what to expect, fingers crossed our hormones behave and come down nice and quickly all my family have been really supportive and understanding (apart from my mum, had to try and make her listen, but that's a whole other thread!)

I'm sorry you're going through this. I had a molar pregnancy in August of last year & ERPC a few days later. The pathology came back about a month later as a complete mole, which is the less common but potentially more serious type.

It was such a shock as I didn't find out till 2 weeks after ERPC, just as I was beginning to get myself back together. It knocked me for 6 & I ended up being signed off work again as I was literally having nightmares about it.

My follow-up was done by postal urine samples, which started 1 month after ERCP. I was very fortunate that my level was "undetectable" at that point & remained that way all through follow-up.

If your levels are low enough within 8 weeks post ERCP you can start TTC after 6 months post ERCP. Otherwise it's 6 months from 1st clear sample.

I used the website www.molarpregnancy.co.uk, there's a forum too, where everyone understands what you're going through.

In terms of the ERCP, you're given 2 pessaries to insert into your vagina, to soften the cervix, which takes 2-3 hours, so there's a lot of waiting around on the day - have plenty of reading material, phone etc, to take your mind off things.

I was offered dihydrocodeine post-op, which I took to stay ahead of the pain. I also knew I had to be able to walk back to the car & sit for the duration of the journey home, so it helped for that. You need to be taken home by a responsible adult, so you will need childcare for most of the day if it's your DP.

I found I was uncomfortable rather than sore, and had less bleeding after than a period. But I did feel exhausted from the anaesthetic for a couple of days. Didn't feel up to much other than the sofa for 48hrs, would have struggled to look after DS alone.

You will still be reeling just now, terribly shocked.

Please feel free to PM me if there's anything you'd like to ask.

Will be thinking of you over the next few days, take care xx

Good to know about what to expect post ERPC lotsofcheese, mine is a suspecte complete mole too. Didn't realise it was more serious.

I starved fasted for about 20 hours before the OP as I was supposed to be on the morning list, but they put me on a drip early so at least I didn't get too dehydrated!

I didn't mean to scare you, I think talking about the practicalities does make it all very real.

Know what you mean about people not listening, had someone tell me today that the best thing to do was start trying again...err no that's the worst thing I could do!

Doh! should say makes it less scary hearing what to expect

Thanks again guys for taking the time to reply, it's a hard one to explain to people in RL such a rare complication that no ones heard of!

Night ladies xx

Yes, they always put you last on the list for ERCP! I was "starved" too - and then they don't let you home until you've eaten/drunk/peed.

Should also have said to OP to take wipes (you'll be covered in iodine in your nether regions) and maternity towels. Old undies for these reasons too! And a dressing gown & slippers as you'll be waiting around a lot & hospital gowns are a bit revealing.

OTTers: Partial moles are more common & less likely to need methotrexate/further treatment. Glad you've come through your op ok x

Good luck?! For today livismum, I will be thinking of you :)

Yes, i have experienced it and it is an awful shock isn't it. Haven't got much time to post now but just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and I'll be thinking of you today .

Thanks guys, in hospital, think I'll be going down 4ish and hopefully home later this evening, brought my overnight bag in case but would rather go home!! Got my wipes and all new toiletries (in a daze in asda yesterday grabbing all sorts!)
Thanks again for keeping company through this, makes it a teeny bit better knowing I'm not alone

Hope it goes ok Livismum, am thinking of you - the waiting till the end of the theatre list is hard going. Virtual hugs from me xxx

Hope you down down in time, don't be too dissappointed if they don't let you go home tonight. Think I went down at 7.30 just as Corrie was starting typically and went home around 10am the next morning. Have you got some good sanitary pads?

Back on the ward! Feel quite good at the moment possibly still a bit "high!" bit scared to move/go to the loo! Got my wipes and supersized all singing all dancing pads all ready, and dug out my hot water bottle at home!

Glad to hear it's gone ok, Livismum. In some ways I found it a relief after the op, as I could start to move on. Take care of yourself xx

Glad it has gone well. After my op we did the tests and tried again 6 months later, it took us another 2 months to conceive, which was good at 38, and we have a beautiful DD. It can work out and it will for your too .

Aw well done, you sound good. Thanks for updating, whilst on the ward too! Kudos.

( I was little drunk after, texted the world to tell them I loved them and thought the nurses were the dog's bollocks, which they were to be fair!)

Was able to come home last night, bit tender, keeping dosed up on painkillers, slept alright, think I missed the DD's bed hopping and demanding the loo in the night as I woke a 5am! DH has been great I could get used to having him wait on me,
Thanks again for the support xx

Glad you had a good sleep. How are things now?

Hi all was doing ok, but today cramping and bleeding is a bit more than I have had, I guess it's my body realising what's gone on and "clearing itself out" glad I'm off work till mid next week! DH still being lovely, collected DD from school and took her to dentist for me yesterday. Think I'm still in shock a bit, had a few tears in shower this morning thinking that this time last week I was excited about the scan

Hi Ladies
I had a molar pregnanct in 2000. I was initially told that it was a miscarriage but I have since found out they suspected it as soon as they saw scan.

I was on follow up for 3 months and then became very poorly and had to have the high dose chemotherapy for 6 months.

I just want to reassure you that though it was very scary at the time I have come through it-I now have 3 dcs.

Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions or just want a chat.

livis I think that it is petty normal to shed some tears afterwards, well, I'm hoping it is because I cried bucket fulls. Hope that things start to seem better soon.

Gornanis so glad that you've now got the family you wanted .