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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

Having an ERPC on Thursday what can I expect/do I need?

13 replies

Chocolateporridge · 26/03/2013 11:03

I've been bleeding for two solid weeks now, had 3 scans and finally they've booked me in for an ERPC on Thursday.

I'm relieved in some ways but also very nervous, they've not given me any idea of what to expect. Can anyone tell me what I should expect on the day, what I should take with me, and what the recovery will be like?

All advice gratefully accepted.

OP posts:

icklemssunshine1 · 26/03/2013 11:15

Hi,

So sorry you're going through this. I had an ERPC on 27th Feb. had surgery at 3pm, home by 8pm! I took an overnight bag just incase but only needed my dressing gown, slippers & plenty of things to keep me busy & my mind off the op. I've had surgeries before & was suprised how awake & alert I was after. Had very little pain, just period-like cramps. Had a period-like bleed for a couple if days & then had brown discharge on & off for 3 weeks. I'm now no longer spotting & just waiting for AF to arrive so can TTC ASAP.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

jinxdragon · 26/03/2013 11:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsJohnDeere · 26/03/2013 11:28

You might need to stay in overnight (I did) if they're running late or you have a bad reaction to the anaesthesia (very unlikely but possible). Mine got delayed until 9:30pm and I wasn't officially 'ready' to go home until 1am so I chose to stay in until breakfast time.

You'll probably need a dressing gown and flip flips or slippers to wear to theatre.

A few towels in case of bleeding afterwards.

Bottled water and baby wipes are good too afterwards.

I wasn't allowed to drive or lift things for 48 hours afterwards, and I felt a bit zombified. For me, the worst pain was whe the anaesthetic wore off fully (48 hours later). You'll probably get some random stomach cramps, a bit like period pains.

Hope it goes ok.

butterfly86 · 26/03/2013 14:25

Hi sorry you are going through this :( I've had 2 erpc's and physically it's fine you will probably be worse emotionally but it is a relief when it's all over. When you go in the will insert some tablets up near you cervix to soften it in preparation for the surgery, then when you go down you will be have your anaesthetic before you go in to the theatre the next thing you know you will be waking up in recovery. The first time you go to the loo afterwards there might seem like there's a lot of blood but that's because you've been lying down after that it is likely to just be spotting. Try not to worry it's nowhere near like what you imagine it to be. Take care of yourself any questions just ask x

escorpion · 26/03/2013 21:12

So sorry for your loss. Like butterfly says they give you the suppositories to start things off. I then waited a few hours for contractions to start. Could manage the pain though, just like period cramps. About 4 or 5 hours later they took me into surgery. I had a canula in the hand, they gave me morphine first and I felt so chilled, then the anaesthetic, the next thing I knew I woke up and knew nothing about it. I had to show I could go toilet and that I wasn´t dizzy when standing. I went home the same day. I would suggest magazines while you are waiting, something to keep you occupied. Thinking about you and hoping that all goes well for you x

Ra88 · 26/03/2013 21:34

I had a erpc last week , I would take an overnight bag just in case you do have to stay . If you don't have it until late on the evening you can request to go home if you want to if the procedure went ok. I didn't have mine until 9pm and I was able to go home about 10:40pm (dp driving of course!)

You will not be able to eat it drink from about 7:30/8:00am on day of procedure and just a light breakfast then.

I took with me : pajamas (2 trousers) , dressing gown, extra thick sanitary pads, 4 pairs of full pants, phone charger, book, deodorant etc to freshen up. For me it was a long day because I was there from 9:30am but that was due to excessive bleeding.

The procedure itself was no issue , I was taken in I have a LA and that was it .. Poof! Out for the count and I woke up what seemed like 5 minutes later, slight aching in my groin for about 2 days after and bleeding has stopped today although it has only been very light since procedure

Ra88 · 26/03/2013 21:35

Also just to add . . I did not have a suppository , so you may not have to

MrsJohnDeere · 26/03/2013 21:41

I didn't have suppositories either.

Original poster

Chocolateporridge · 26/03/2013 23:09

Thank you all so much for your advice. Based on your tips I've packed a small bag with overnight things just in case, thick sanitary pads, charger, magazines, snack, water, baby wipes etc and now that you've all told me what to expect I feel a lot calmer about things. I'm one of those folks who deals with stress by planning and organising!

I'm so sorry that you've all had to go through this too. I'm just grateful that we can help each other.

OP posts:

Ra88 · 27/03/2013 22:57

Hope all goes well tomorrow . Try not to worry about it , and good luck for the future !x

Sal1977 · 28/03/2013 06:20

I'm booked in today too chocolate, so just wanted to wish you luck! Xx

Original poster

Chocolateporridge · 28/03/2013 19:30

Thanks raa and sal, I hope you got on ok today sal? I was in at 8.30 this morning and discharged at 2pm so have spent the rest of the day in my own cosy bed. I feel very sore in my tummy area (crampy) and still weird from the general anaesthetic and am bleeding fairly heavily. Was very glad for the baby wipes and own sanitary pads that I'd packed, thanks to all the tips on here, and relieved that they gave me antibiotics orally before I left, not as suppositories!

To be honest, the worst part for me was the tablets that they gave me beforehand to soften the cervix. The cramps kicked in as soon as I started sucking them and they also had a fast acting loosening effect on my bowels (hormones tend to do that to me!)

Unfortunately they found that I have a tear inside my cervix caused by my dd's rotational forceps delivery 2.5 years ago. I have no idea what this means really and am being referred to an obstetric consultant, possibly for another op under GA! It means there'll have to be a bit of breathing space before I ttc again which isn't a bad thing for me mentally though.

Well tomorrow the anaesthetic will have worn off and it'll be time and then I can start sorting my head out.....

OP posts:

Sal1977 · 30/03/2013 16:03

Glad you're OK Chocolate!

Mine was fine, got done about 4ish, home by 6.45pm for a takeaway under the duvet on the sofa! Had some cramping and a little bit of blood but that seems to have stopped now.

Good luck with the gynae! Xx

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