MVA experiences?

[jaychops]

It's been all but confirmed that I have a blighted ovum. I have to go back for a final scan next Monday.

Just wondering if anyone has any honest experiences about MVA? Sorry to sound insensitive but this wasn't a planned pregnancy therefore I am not emotionally attached to it, and for the sake of my 2 little children I'm thinking this might be the best option to avoid affecting Christmas plans as much as possible.

Anyone? ☹️

I had one after a mmc. I had an ERPC for a second mmc and the difference was local anaesthetic vs a general. They were both much wanted and I was heart broken, especially the first one, so it was a different experience emotionally from yours (you’re being honest not insensitive ) and I preferred being knocked out. What do you want to know about an MVA? I’ll help however I can.

Thankyou @AnneLovesGilbert, I'm so sorry about your miscarriages and I do understand the heartbreak as I had 2 natural MCs before my children were born.

I've read about the process but I just wanted to know a little more from people who have been through it about the pain level, is it tolerable? Why did you prefer general anaesthetic?

That’s okay I had my DD in the spring, was a long road but she was worth the wait.

It was absolutely tolerable and the care was very good. Because I was awake they talked to me the whole way through and I could ask questions and it was over very quickly. Because it was a mmc they took some tissue to test which took a bit longer and you won’t have that so I think it should take less than half an hour. It was a few years ago but things I remember - the bed had a removable bottom bit so they got me to scooch down then removed the table bit so my bum felt like it was hanging in the air. I was completely supported but it didn’t feel particularly graceful and I wish I’d known before. It was cold and very bright in theatre so I was shivering a bit which I hadn’t expected. A nurse was with me the whole time right up my head and holding my hand. I was crying and I remember her dabbing my face with a tissue and being so kind and letting me know how much longer it would be. I got terrible shakes from the anaesthetic which went on for hours after. They discharged me really quickly as soon as I’d have the obligatory tea and biscuits and weren’t worried at all but it was a top to toe shake for a while. The worst pain was the local anaesthetic going in, it was sharp and stingy but after that the rest of it wasn’t painful. I’m not clued up on blighted ovums but I had to have the pessaries in pre op which open your cervix and those are uncomfortable, a sort of fizzing ouch if that makes sense, but it didn’t last long. At the end of the MVA they gave me an antibiotic suppository, wish I’d known about that too.

I bled for about a week afterwards and had mild cramps but really manageable.

The shakes were the worst bit about the local, and being aware of what was happening, but a big part of that was emotional. I love GAs, when I had the ERPC I was under about an hour and came round feeling like I’d had a week’s holiday.

I hope it goes smoothly

@jaychops I’m so sorry to hear of your loss 💐 I found out on Monday at our 12 week scan that I was sadly experiencing a missed miscarriage. Today I went in for a MVA, something I was absolutely terrified about - having a phobia of being put under and never having had an operation before this week has been one of my worst ever. I have a small child at home and determined not to let the loss effect Christmas as much as possible so felt this was the best way forward.

I promise you it is absolutely fine. The procedure took only 20 mins and I’m just feeling a little fragile with cramps and period like bleeding but the relief of knowing that it is physically over makes it worth it and I know I’ve made the best decision for me
and my family.

Let them know if you are feeling anxious and hopefully they will get you in early like they did for me. Although you don’t feel attached please be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal 🌸

@Britannah what a horrific experience for you to go through. I was only saying to my DH yesterday that had this been a planned pregnancy I would probably have been in the same situation as you, as I've had no symptoms of mc, and would have just been happily waiting for my 12 week scan. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. I feel the same in regards to treatment - I'm terrified of the whole thing, I've never had GA either that's why I'm hoping to opt for this. Thankyou so much for your reassuring info/advice. How are you feeling today?

@AnneLovesGilbert thankyou to you too for all of that info and detail, even though it must be hard for you to go through it again in your head. I hadn't even considered that it would be in theatre for some reason so that's good to prepare me.

I've read that partners are allowed to come in, is this true?

to you both xx

Also did you have to have a pre op or did you just arrive on the day?

You are so welcome and I’m pleased if it’s helpful. I often duck onto this board as my years of miscarriages were the loneliest time of my life and the support I got on MN was invaluable.

My husband was with me on the ward until they took me into theatre and waited there till I came back, I’m sure I’d he’d been allowed in they’d have said so, but it’s worth you asking.

I didn’t mention it because it sounds so stupid but I hadn’t expected it to be so bright in theatre or so busy. There must have been 8 people in there and it was so bright! Also that when I said how cold I was they piled blankets on my top half. They want you to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible so definitely tell them if you need anything.

I went to the EPU first for a scan to check what was where as I’d been having medical management for a few days by then and it wasn’t passing, then a quick pre op in the ward and the pessaries to open my cervix, some oral antibiotics and pain pills, in a gown then into theatre.

I had a MVA for a MMC almost 3 years ago. It was a much wanted pregnancy, I cried all the way through the procedure but it probably only took 20-30 minutes and I was relieved when it was over. My husband was with me the entire time, he stood at one side of me and a lovely nurse at the other side. The nurse was trying to take my mind off what was happening by talking to me about my little girl. Mine wasn't in theatre it was just a room off the EPU

Thankyou all so much for your help and advice.

Blighted ovum was confirmed today and I am having the MVA tomorrow. I just hope it's straightforward and I feel OK for Christmas day :-(

For anyone who stumbles across this thread in future I just wanted to conclude that I had the procedure at lunchtime on Xmas eve and it really wasn't bad at all. The worst thing was actually the nerves which made my whole body shake! The procedure itself took 5 minutes, my husband was with me, and it just felt like sharp but entirely manageable period cramps. I went home 30 minutes later. Bleeding like day 2/3 of period for the rest of the day and mild period cramps. By the next morning (Xmas day) all cramps had gone and I didn't need any more pain relief, and bleeding has been very light since. I was absolutely fine physically the day after and managed to cook xmas dinner for 10 people. So don't be scared!

I’m so pleased to hear it went well and your recovery has been so easy OP. I hope they were kind to you and looked after you well and how nice your husband was with you.