Mmc expectant management - how long?

[Noisysparrows]

Just that really. Mmc confirmed on scan yesterday. No development since 8 weeks, am now 10 weeks and no sign at all of anything passing naturally yet.

My last mmc was also at 10 weeks, I had medical management and it was awful so would like to wait and see if this will happen naturally - any experience at similar gestation - how long it took for things to start, how bad it was when they did? It sounds horribly heartless but I just want it over with so we can try again. Currently just in semi-pregnant limbo.

Anyone?

I'm not going to be much help really but I wanted to warn you of my experience. I had a MMC diagnosed at the 12 wk scan, baby stopped growing at 10w. I opted for expectant management after having surgical the year before. Well, nothing happened. I went back to the GP several times and they told me that it was probably reabsorbed by my body so that was that. Around 6 months later I started getting horrendous contractions whilst at home alone. It was just about at the point I was going to call an ambulance and then I gave birth to something the size of a grapefruit.

So, in your case, if nothing has happened within a couple of weeks make sure that you push for a scan. I am just so grateful that I didn't end up with sepsis or something.

What an horrific experience @ems137, so sorry you went through that . I’ll definitely make sure I get medical follow up and a scan if nothing has happened in a fortnight or so. The physical pregnancy already seems to have started shrinking (measured 6 weeks on scan but heard heartbeat at 8+4 so I know the miscarriage happened after that). My concern is definitely exactly what you’ve describe - I’m shocked that the gp wouldn’t request a scan given a lack of passing physical tissue. Can I ask if you had a negative pregnancy test/were still having periods despite obviously having retained products?

I'm sorry to hear about your loss 💐. I found out at 12 week scan I had MMC at 7 weeks, opted for natural miscarriage as I didn't like the sound of the medication. For me, it was excruciating, heavy bleeding and severe pain. I ended up having a d&c in the end, which I recommend. It is low risk and quick. Not every woman has the same experience but its hard enough having a MMC without having to go through all that too
X

Thanks for sharing @Disco3000, I’m sorry you had a bad time too . How long was it between your mmc being diagnosed and actually passing the sac etc? Tbh despite being a qualified hcp myself I have a deep distrust of hospital care, my last mmc and my last anaesthetic were both poorly handled and traumatic. Whereas I have a high pain threshold and prefer having at least the illusion of being in control so at the moment natural management seems the obvious choice. Have taken on board what you say though and won’t be too stubborn to look at alternatives if the natural route proves to be a non-starter.

I still had light periods still that returned a few weeks after the 12wk scan. I don't think I did any tests but after badgering one doctor, she humoured me and did a blood test for hcg which was low enough to be negative. I reckon if I'd have done a test though it would've shown negative anyway because I definitely didn't feel pregnant and wasn't having any of the symptoms anymore. They'd already tapered off before the scan and then once my brain had caught up with my body the symptoms stopped altogether.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It was the most heartbreaking time of my life. It was just so unexpected, it really blindsided me and all those plans and thoughts for the future were shattered. I hope you're doing ok and just take it easy xx

@Noisysparrows I had my 12 week scan Wed 5th June, baby stopped at 7+1, a couple of days later I started bleeding heavier with bigger clots. (I had spotting throughout) The following Monday the bad cramps started and until the d&c, on the Friday of the same week, I had a lot of clots, some large some smaller but no idea which was the sac. I was told if the clot breaks apart easily it is blood , if it's firm its likely to be tissue. I was going to just go through with the natural but after 5 days I couldn't do it any more, I had complications so went to hospital. You need to rest, have heat pads or hot water bottles and paracetamol/ibuprofen. Get some very thick pads(!) Ordinary maternity pads may not be enough. I'm thinking of you at this time, it's not easy but we're all here for you. My heart goes out to you, I hope it is straightforward, just make sure you look after yourself.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I had a MMC at 12 weeks, baby stopped growing at 9 weeks.

It was such a shock to find out (we thought everything was fine) that when they said I could have an operation the very next day I just couldn’t see that as an option, I just wanted to go home, get my head around it and let nature take its course.

Five days after finding out I started to bleed then it all kicked off pretty quickly. Every experience is different but for me everyone telling me it would be like a heavy period was bollocks. I had contractions for five hours with clotty blood, it built up to strong, close together contractions and the baby/tissue coming out. As soon as it was done I felt a huge sense of relief and just wanted to shower and sleep. The placenta unexpectedly arrived painlessly the next day (like a small chicken breast size).

It unfortunately did hurt. Take all the drugs, I took co codamol which took the edge off. I mean it was manageable but it hurt more than I thought it was going to. If I’d known I would have asked for something stronger at the hospital, they can prescribe the good stuff. I also wasn’t expecting proper rhythmic contractions so that came as a huge surprise. I woke up the next day feeling a bit battered and obviously emotional but physically pretty ok. Wore big pads and slept on a towel for maybe five days. The bleeding wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

I has a scan a couple of days later to make sure the miscarriage was ‘complete’, so no tissue left behind to risk infection. I was (in the scheme of things) lucky that it was complete naturally and nothing else needed to be done. I got pregnant again quickly with no problems subsequently.

It’s cruel and shit and just so terribly unfair. I hope it goes as smoothly as it can for you so you can get trying again soon.

Thank you guys for posting, honestly it’s such a help to hear your stories (especially the happier eventual outcome for you @Wheresmrlion). Took over a year to get pregnant again after last mmc so I’m not overly hopeful of a swift return to fertility (plus I’m knocking on a bit now!!) but we shall see. I did have a successful pregnancy resulting in DC between mmc so I know all is not lost.

Still no sign of anything happening but then I’m still only 10+4, seems most likely to be another week or two before my body notices it’s all gone wrong.

Prepared for it to hurt - medical management was pretty dire - but will stock up on all the painkillers!

I've had two miscarriages, one natural and one with surgery following a MMC. The natural one happened about two weeks after first finding out that things weren't looking good. Just wanted to warn you though that it was an awful experience. I had strong contractions on the day of the miscarriage and for several days afterwards, with lots of bleeding. I was also unprepared for the physical feeling of passing it and needing to tug at the chord to pull the tiny placenta away as it was stuck and just hanging from me. I'm a very tough person too, but the whole experience really scarred me for a long time. I'm currently pregnant again and am waiting for the inevitable miscarriage - but based on my previous experiences will definitely be opting for surgery -if- when the time comes. Good luck with whatever you decide x

for your losses @lemurllama, I hope this time your pregnancy is successful. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Started spotting last night so I guess I’ll find out how bad it’s going to be soon enough - won’t be a hero if it gets too bad, mostly really hoping it’ll be over quickly (and preferably not while I’m at work..)

Thank you ❤️

Honestly, don't go into work. Your GP will sign you off. When I miscarried naturally I had strong contractions and was exhausted afterwards (literally crawling on the floor because I couldn't stand up), then kept falling asleep during the day for the next couple of weeks while my body recovered. Stay at home and watch some rubbish TV instead.

Unfortunately I’ve had loads.

Bleeding tended to start soon after scan confirmation, usually days.
From there obviously this is very very individual so everyone else’s experience may not be anything like yours.

For example I’ve read on here people who have just experienced “heavy period” type symptoms, me I needed intravenous morphine and gas and air until my baby passed out of me.
I had full on contractions even at 7,8,9,10,12,13 weeks.
Lasted 6-12 hours.
All very upsetting and distressing.

Afterwards it took a couple of days to recover from the medications hang over. Until the drugs were out of my system I was obviously shaky.

Then back to work and normal life.
Back to trying again.

I hope that you don’t experience too much pain, if you do don’t be afraid to ask for help.
All the best.

No choice but to go to work @lemurllama, small business - can’t afford to just shut it down for days. Spotting now stopped again anyway so could be in for the longer haul. If it gets really bad I’ll have to try and find cover but can’t just not go into work for a week on the off chance it’s going to happen. Luckily my public facing hours aren’t that many for the rest of the week and I can do admin etc from home.

Love to you @crosser62, I’m so sorry for your losses.

Just to update, mc seems to be complete. Was really not too bad in terms of pain and over very quickly, a thousand times better than the medical management. Just waiting for bleeding to stop and a negative test and can think about trying again.

Thank you everyone who took the time to comment, I really appreciated it x