I haven’t ever written on any forums but recently I’ve been reading them and taking comfort in the fact that I’m not alone and getting information from other people’s experiences so I thought I could maybe help others by sharing my experience too. What I’ve learnt is ask any questions you have however big or small. And you know your body better than anyone if you have any concerns push hard to have that scan or check up. Don’t let covid put you off going if you need to they are taking precautions to keep you away from the wards with Covid patients.
Firstly I’m sorry so you’re going through this. It really is the crappest club to be a part of! I was devastated when I had a missed miscarriage just a few weeks ago. With my first it was text book all went to plan so I guess maybe I was blissfully naive to what can happen. Oh how I wish I didn’t know this side of it as I’m so scared of being pregnant again. I suffer with anxiety so this has made it even harder to stop my mind racing.
This was my second pregnancy (have a 1 year old daughter) and I had a feeling something wasnt quite right. I was about 6 weeks and I noticed I didn’t have any symptoms anymore like I did with my daughter and just didn’t feel pregnant if ThAt made sense. I googled lots and spoke to the early pregnancy unit but they reassured me that every pregnancy is different and to not worry. I had my booking appointment at 8 weeks over the phone and again mentioned I wasn’t feeling sick or having any of the other symptoms like last time. She didn’t seem concerned.
IThen on the evening of good Friday I had some dark blood when I wiped and called 111 and some light cramps they told me to go to a&e. I was 10 weeks at this point. I had a scan on a machine that they can’t zoom in on but they said they could see a heart beat And I could see it flickering on the screen too. But she said are you sure you’re 10 weeks as they seem smaller than that. But she said all seemed ok and once they’ve seen a heartbeat that’s a good sign and I’d read that once a confirmed heartbeat has been seen then the chance of miscarriage is low.
I went home and the bleeding continued over the weekend it wasn’t a lot but there was what seemed like tissue in there too. It was dark in colour so old blood which made me worried that it’s been there some time. I called up the early pregnancy unit on the Tuesday and they said to come in for a scan that day. I went in and I could tell when she scanned my tummy that there was a problem. She then asked to do an internal scan and said there was no heartbeat and it was a missed miscarriage at 7 weeks. I told her there was a heartbeat on Friday so was she sure. She said she’s sure. I was on my own due to covid my husband couldn’t come with me I was devastated.
I was given some papers to read it I knew I wanted the least painful quickest process to start to heal from it all.
I’d spoken to friends who had a miscarriage which really helped. I never truly understood how awful and crushing it really is to experience this. As far as I’m concerned that was my baby and I will never forget they existed.
A couple of friends said that they tried the natural way which was a bit painful when passing the pregnancy and ended up having a d&c under general anaesthetic anyway as they had retained tissue. So I thought I may as well go for the d&c so I know it’s cleared fully.
I was booked in for a weeks time to have the procedure. In the run up the bleeding got heavier and on the day I asked the consultant if she could make sure there was no tissue left as a friend had to have another one as they hadn’t cleared it properly. She said she uses the ultrasound to guide her so she can see everything as she’s doing it and check it’s been cleared completely At the end.
I was first in at 8am the procedure was quick and no pain at all took maybe 20 mins, I quite like a general anaesthetic as feels like a lovely long sleep. A couple of hours after the op I was bleeding a bit and passed some clots and asked the nurses if this was normal and they said it was. I went home by 2pm.
That night I felt very dizzy and light headed as I think I had been bleeding for a week and the operation but after a good nights sleep I felt better.
The bleeding continued for the next 5-6 days then on Sunday evening I noticed the bleeding had got more and I noticed a clot when I wiped. I messaged the consultant and she asked me to come in on Monday for a scan as bleeding now should be minimal to none.
I went in and she did a scan and said my womb was full of blood and clots and that they needed to empty it today. I could have it done under general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic. I opted for general again as I’ve heard the local anaesthetic is very painful and I’d rather be asleep and unaware of what’s going on. Due to covid she was able to arrange for me to stay on the Gyne ward which I was pleased about. Before I went into surgery a lot of the clots came out themselves there was lots of large ones so they rescanned me but said there’s still some in there they need to clear.
I had the operation and she said there was no retained tissue and she doesn’t know why I was still bleeding. But this time she did the op there was no new bleeding unlike the first time. She said she hadn’t see this before which I didn’t find that reassuring but hoping it’s ok now. I stayed in overnight as the op was done late and went home the next day. I then had a really itchy rash appear all over my legs and my hands started to itch. I sent pictures and it appears I had an allergic reaction to the introvenus antibiotic they gave me in surgery so told me not to take the ones I had brought home with me to take.
I had the op yesterday and today I still have some fresh bleeding not lots but more than a tablespoon which the consultant said is too much. I’ve now been told to take another antibiotic but it feels like they don’t know what’s going on and it could be an infection. So I hope in the next couple of days there’s no bleeding. I’m emotionally exhausted by it all and I think it’s scarred me from being pregnant again. But I want to believe it will be ok next time so hearing all the stories of people who go on to have a healthy pregnancy gives me hope.
I’d be interested to hear of others experiences about the amount they bled after and how long for.