warning descriptive content*
Just in case someone stumbles across this post looking for help in the future, I thought I'd update it with what happened today.
I went to St. Mary's (Mcr), and attended the outpatients clinic. I'd already had 3 scans to confirm the MMC and completed the consent form before the appt. I was booked in by a nurse & given 2 paracetamol, 1 ibuprofen, 4 anti-biotic tablets and 2 pessaries (vaginally, to soften the cervix (although in some hospitals these are offered orally)). I then had to wait an hour for pessaries to work. I was allowed to leave and come back after an hour.
When it was time, the Dr went through the procedure and explained what would happen. They would use a speculum to locate and numb the cervix, and inject a local anaesthetic into the cervix (it's not comfortable but it's no worse than a smear test). After a few minutes she dilated the cervix and inserted a tube through the cervix which was attached to a large syringe. The Dr said she would pump the syringe around 3 - 4 times, and when the procedure was ending I would experience cramping. She advised that there was entinox (Gas & air), available if it became uncomfortable (I didn't need it). I was also given a heat pad to place on my tummy which was really effective. I felt a mild pulling sensation but my experience was not uncomfortable or painful. When she had finished they took my blood pressure & temp, and after 10 minutes I could get dressed. I had to sit in the recovery room for half an hour and they gave me tea & a biscuit before I could go home (after checking I could pass urine, and that I was not experiencing heavy bleeding). There were 3 people present (Dr, nurse & assistant), my husband was allowed to be there too but he chose not to (we had discussed this, and I tend to cope better on my own).
The procedure wasn't too uncomfortable and I only experienced very minor discomfort (I have gone through childbirth though, so it may be more uncomfortable for those that have not (in terms of dilating the cervix)) . The nurse was talking to me the whole time & I did not realise they had started the process. It sounds silly but my main worry as that I would hear the pump & the contents sloshing around in a bucket. This was not the case at all, the procedure is silent and there's a small container (not a bucket!). I'm fortunate to have a high pain threshold & my expectations were for intense pain, so perhaps this made my experience more comfortable than anticipated.
It goes without saying that the staff were amazing, compassionate & caring.
So far, the after cramps have been manageable. I have kept the ibuprofen topped up & have a heat pad across my tummy which has eased any discomfort. I have experienced some bleeding (similar to a medium flow) but the Dr said this should ease off within a couple of days and to expect some light bleeding / spotting for a couple of weeks.
It's sad that anyone has to go through this but I hope this may be of some use to someone who finds themself in the unfortunate position of having to chose how they want to manage their miscarriage. xx