Terrified after retained products of conception and D&C

[Londonalf]

Hello

I am sorry as this is a sensitive subject and I don’t want to upset anyone.

I had a medical termination at the end of last year, I was about 5 weeks. I didn’t bleed much but just thought that it was as it was so early... then in January I was on my way home and had a sudden gush of blood and blood clots that didn’t stop for about 3 hours, it was horrendous and traumatic. I went straight to hospital as it was completely not normal. The placenta then passed along with clots the size of tennis balls for hours.

I then had a scan which confirmed I had 2cm of retained tissue but it should pass naturally.

I carried on as normal and about 2 weeks ago I was again travelling home and had the same thing happen. It was so bad that I had to phone an ambulance from a toilet in a coffee shop where blood was everywhere...... talk about humiliating and again totally traumatising.

Anyway, I then was sent home and told it was my period returning. It was NOT even close to a period, I have naturally heavy periods and this was pouring out of me. So I went for a private ultrasound which confirmed I still had the retained product and blood in my uterus and thickened walls.

I was admitted to hospital and had an ultrasound guided D&C which they said went well and I had a follow-up ultrasound yesterday which confirmed the retained product was gone and there was a “tiny” bit of blood which should just come out as spotting.

I am still just petrified of this happening again, I can’t explain how distressing it’s been and it’s been ongoing for so long. Whenever I’m on the train home my heart is pounding with fear and any twinge or cramp I want to cry with fear. I guess because I’ve been sent home from hospitals and told it’ll be fine before (even though this time they scanned etc to confirm I suppose they didn’t last time).

Has anyone else had any similar experience and can provide any comfort? :(

@Londonalf wow you poor thing this has struck a huge chord with me. All I can say is I know how you feel, the reassuring thing is they did your second procedure with ultrasound. I know it's that fear of the traumatic thing happening again and we as humans like to avoid trauma and trouble, but this type of thing is out with our control causing anxiety. I too had a Tfmr in Feb, surgical....get this they left 70% inside. Had a massive bleed four weeks later at home during the night, a bad infection and had to have emergency surgery for considerable retained products. I had this four weeks ago and haven't has a period yet and I'm terrified of this happening again too. It is so traumatizing not just the termination for medical reasons then all the other awful things on top like the bleeds, having the doctor pick bits out of you to examine them etc. I totally understand. It's horrifying. If you want to message me please feel free. All I can say is I hear ya . I am hoping that with time the anxiety will improve. Not only that all the raging hormones that nobody seems to tell you will come after this procedure. Hugs x

That sounds horrendous. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I don't have any experience of it myself - I'm just coming to the end of a naturally managed miscarriage - but I didn't want to read and run. I would definitely focus on the fact that you have had two ultrasounds in this last treatment, which has confirmed everything has gone. But if you are suffering from this much anxiety about it - and that is entirely understandable because it sounds like you've had a traumatic experience - then please, please speak to your GP. Perhaps they could arrange for a follow-up scan in a month's time - or maybe after your next period - to absolutely confirm it's all gone? If they won't do that, maybe you could possible get a private one? Do you have anyone supporting you IRL?

@sunshineworshipper wow poor you. It’s such a horrific experience and the anxiety is just awful. I’m sorry you had to go through all that, it sounds so distressing. Hopefully the anxiety gets better and I really hope you have got it all sorted now x

@BadBadBeans thank you, I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. It is awful just not knowing what is going to happen or if anything will and when it will..... I am going to definitely arrange a follow-up scan. Yes my long term boyfriend has been really supportive, and close friends, but they too thought I was fine and then it happened again. I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed but thank you for your message.

@Londonalf thank you. I totally know how you feel. I know how that anxiety feels and it's terrifying. Good for you for actually venturing out the house dear xxx