I went for an early “reassurance” scan when I thought I was 7+5. This is my first pregnancy, and my boyfriend and I had not used protection for a year, so as you can imagine, I was very excited and couldn’t wait to tell my family. The scan showed the baby to be only 6+2, and I was told that there was a slow heart beat. I was devastated. As this was a private scan, the sonographer didn’t go in to much detail, but I knew it wasn’t good news. I had already booked to see the midwife (our first meeting) a couple of days later. I wasn’t in a good place emotionally, and the midwife quickly booked me in to the local EPU exactly a week after my first scan. The day came and we got the news - no heartbeat, and the baby only measured 6+3.
The EPU staff were lovely and talked us through our options. After already waiting a week to know whether our baby was growing, I knew I didn’t want to go for the natural way of waiting even longer, and to possibly go through the miscarriage at home alone. We chose MVA (manual vacuum aspiration) - I was able to have a date and time given (2 days later). Today I went to the EPU, I was given 3 paracetamols, 3 ibuprofens, an anti-sickness tablet, then 2 tablets were inserted inside my vagina which were a hormone that would help my cervix relax and open. I was then taken down to clinic where I saw the consultant, who went through the whole op with me, and showed care and compassion all the way. There were 2 nurses also present, along with my mum who sat and held my hand during this sad time.
The consultant made me feel calm and inserted local anaesthetic direct in to the cervix (I was awake the whole time).
I had previously asked whether this procedure hurt - I was told there was discomfort, bad period pains like symptoms and cramping. As he started the vacuum process, one of the nurses mentioned that there was gas and air available. At this point, there was no issue. After a couple of minutes, the pain became less bearable, i was red hot and thought like I may have passed out. The nurse quickly put a fan on for me, and passed me the gas and air, which I continued to use until the end of the procedure. Fortunately, this was no longer than 10 minutes. I didn’t see anything, no blood or clots, which I am very grateful of as that would have broke my heart even more so. I was very emotional anyway and had a little cry while still in the stirrups. I was treated so well, I was just so surprised by the pain. However I stand by having the MVA. After the op, I had my blood pressure taken, offered a hot drink and was allowed home when I was ready. I was in and out within 2hours.
I have bled, but that is expected and had slight cramping, but I am keeping on top of my pain relief to control that. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks my body will be back to normal. I will definitely be trying for another baby at some point, but think I will have a couple of periods first.
Thanks for reading x