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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

Missed Miscarriage

602 replies

Hol54321 · 21/04/2020 14:31

Hi Ladies,

Just looking for some friends at this devastating time. It's one of those, that will never happen to me moments but sure enough it did. Went along to my 12 week scan and boom, I'm hit with the news that baby has no heartbeat. They also said baby looked smaller than expected so did an internal scan too. They measured baby and said it was approx just over 9 weeks. Can not explain the effects on both myself and my husband. It was our first baby. Gone but never forgotten 💖

OP posts:
amyspames · 27/04/2020 08:40

I'm sorry, I haven't posted on here for almost a week, posted last Tuesday after I had the scan to confirm at the hospital and before I was going in for medical management on the weds. I came out of hospital on Friday last night after surgery by spinal block, so have just been recovering at home, but then worrying about dvt last night, but hopefully that's ok, though leg still hurts.

To be frank, it's been an utter shit show right from the 12 week scan, when they told me not to worry about my 13 and 5 baby only measuring 9 and 1, and ok to tell people. Fuck knows how they confirmed the heartbeat, since sure there wouldn't have been one. They broke me on the thurs night after the second round of medical management, where typical pain relief, oral morphine didn't touch the sides, and I used a whole tank of gas and air over the course of 5 hours, wouldn't give anything else, and just let me get on with it. Fortunately they let my husband come back, but he missed the very worse of it.

Reading the updates on here, and having gone through what I did, it makes me feel so angry that they make women go through what they are, the constant waiting, refusal of surgical option, It's just cruel. I know it's a crazy situation with the corona, but saw something the other day saying that people in bad situations should be accessing a&e, and I know a dead baby in someone's body an extra couple of weeks isn't considered risk to life (typically) but what do they think they are doing to our mental health?

I feel a complete an utter fraud as was going around for 7 weeks with a dead baby, and even when I shared news more widely, it had been dead for about 3-4 weeks, had my 7 year old daughter crying finally yesterday saying she wished she could lose her memory so she didn't have to be sad anymore and wished we didn't tell her (only did as they said ok to, and even got her a I'm going to be a big sister t-shirt to wear). I also don't know how I will ever go back to work, and I've been trying for a promotion for a while, was absolutely devastated last August when I didn't get it when everyone said I would and knew I had earned it (shit at interviews). Feel like that door is closed to me now as there's no way I could talk about how great I am now, and risk taking yet another blow to my mental health when I don't get it again.
Also sad as this is the end of my baby journey. I'll be 39 in June, and we would have finished trying then as it would have been 18 months. Can't keep trying indefinitely as it's so hard having your life on hold in the meantime. I did wonder if I ever got over this if I could go there again, but when I came out of theatre, someone said to me what was in there was stuck inside, so I think I could possibly have asherman's syndrome, as some symptoms fit. Had retained placenta removed under surgery 7 years ago. That can only be confirmed under general anaesthetic, which is obviously off the cards for who knows how long, then it would take months if not years to treat.

It's also so hard with corona as all the things I would do to cheer myself up can't be done, maybe I would just want to hole up at home, but we don't get the choice, and all support network except my husband can't be accessed face to face. Just can't really see how I will finally pick myself up again from all this!

Mum4MrA2 · 27/04/2020 08:46

Didn’t want to read and run. Just wanted to post a note of hope for you.

I had medical management of a MMC a year after a ruptured ectopic, left salpingectomy and right oophorectomy for an unexpected ovarian teratoma. I then went on to have 3 further miscarriages and was found to have anti-phospholipid syndrome. We have an amazing 9 year old son from IVF (due to my age). During that successful pregnancy I was on clexane.

We were very open with everyone with our 2nd and subsequent pregnancies as my colleagues knew about the ectopic. It was a huge support and I was amazed by the number of people who opened up about their pregnancy losses. You mustn’t feel ashamed about your heartbreaking loss.

Tommy’s the baby charity have some good resources.

🌺🌸🌼💕 for everyone going through this especially at this awful time 💕🌼🌸🌺

Mum4MrA2 · 27/04/2020 08:50

@amyspames so sorry that sounds absolutely horrendous. Please PM me if you need a chat.

Workingmama1 · 27/04/2020 09:23

Oh @amyspames what a tough week. Feel free to use this space to rant and vent if you need it.

My cramps and bleeding stepped up a bit last night. Pain was manageable with a hot water bottle and paracetamol (can't take codine as I'm still breastfeeding my 16 month old). At the worst I was changing pads every 30 minutes? More as the clots were sitting on the pads rather than the volume if blood if that makes sense. Had a lot of smaller jelly like clots like diced liver, but the pain started to die down around bedtime. Nothing overnight and so far this morning bleeding and light cramps but no clots. I'm not convinced it's all out as I've not seen or felt anything that I thought was the sack so expecting it all to kick off again at some point.

amyspames · 27/04/2020 10:32

@Workingmama1 that's shit.
I didn't see the sac so can't advise what that looks like, did see the foetus afterwards, but maybe in the sac it looks different.
I'm no obviously no expert, but for me, on both occasions when bleeding and pain started, once it trailed off, that was it and the medication to do it hadn't worked. Maybe different for you though as you seem to be passing bigger things. Must be very frightening, and it's hard, as we don't know what we are expecting to see.

Smilingdonkey · 27/04/2020 10:55

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone is ok.

I have just setup all my online lessons for the day and like some of you said, it does feel nice to do something different and take my mind off it all.

My thoughts are with those of you who are still going through the awful process. It must be so hard waiting.

re weight gain I have just joined skimming world again ... can't believe how much weight I piled on in 13 weeks 😩 xxx

WildflowerPetals · 27/04/2020 11:00

Sometimes I feel like I’ve come to terms with it and other times I sit and cry - I had a cry last night, I think it was brought on by having some brown spotting in the day. As much as I want the bleeding to start to get it over with, I also don’t want it as then it’s all real and I know the baby is gone along with all the hopes and dreams I had for it. For 12 weeks I’ve been thinking about what the baby will look like, what clothes I’ll dress it in, what’s the nursery will look like and how we’ll have a new little bundle of joy this Christmas. But when the bleeding starts all that will be gone. I try to live by ‘everything happens for a reason’ but it’s hard to believe that at the minute x

Doughnut100 · 27/04/2020 11:41

@WildflowerPetals I know what you mean, the transition from imagining the baby and imagining telling people, Christmas etc, to suddenly imagining what the miscarriage will be like and plummeting back to TTC world is utterly brutal.

I have called the EPU and a very kind doctor called me back. I broke down crying when she said they couldn't do an general anaesthetic ERPC because of covid infection risk but they could do the local anaesthetic version. Sorry if any other ladies are having that but I can't imagine being able to hear and knowing what is happening. To me that sounds worse than passing the foetus myself in terrible pain. The doctor is talking to the anaesthetist and trying to work out if there is a way I can have an ERPC, maybe being swabbed for covid first. I am so grateful that she is so understanding that I can't even describe. Even if the answer is no I trust that she is fighting my corner.

For anyone considering BPAS I called them and they said they cannot treat me because I have already started bleeding. They can only treat mmc with a diagnosis of no fetal heartbeat but no bleeding yet.

Doughnut100 · 27/04/2020 12:09

The doctor called back and had scheduled me for an emergency ERPC for tomorrow. Words can't explain the relief. I am so thankful. I know can make it through today and then after tomorrow it will be over.

Solidarity to all you ladies x

Mlou32 · 27/04/2020 12:11

@doughnut100 are you wanting the surgical option over the medical option? I went for medical because I had already started bleeding, therefore the medical option, the tablets, just helped it along.

My experience was ok. I took a tablet in the hospital, then more tablet 24 hours later then the final ones 24 hours after that. Slight cramping but it wasn't even painful. I just used a hot water bottle, paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine from when I took the first tablets and kept topping my painkillers up. Its different for everyone though.

Mlou32 · 27/04/2020 12:11

Sorry @doughnut100 I just read your update after posting. Good luck.

SkyBlue20 · 27/04/2020 12:12

I’m so thrilled for you, @Doughnut100 - well done on standing your ground! So glad there’s an end in sight for you 💕

I’ve just had my scan, all is as it was, nothing has changed at all after the medical management, which I expected, so now waiting to go back up to EPU to discuss options. Wish me luck! 🤞🏼

Ranoutofgoodnames · 27/04/2020 12:26

@amyspames I am so sorry. So so sorry. I too have very strong views about how miscarriage is treated generally - I just don’t know how much the nhs treatment has been affected by the virus as I have never been in this position before. Maybe give it a while before you turn your mind properly to whether or not you will try again? I obviously don’t know all the ins and outs of your decision making process I know, but I can’t help think that pain and disillusionment is hitting us all at the moment xxxx

@Doughnut100 I am so relieved to hear you have managed to get the surgery xxx

amyspames · 27/04/2020 12:29

@Doughnut100 glad they gave in for you.

It is completely crazy though that in order to get it you have to basically break down in front of them, if you try and be strong, it gets you nowhere. None of us want to be at greater risk for corona by having the surgery, but we just all need an end to it.

@SkyBlue20 hope u get good news in epu about next step.

Husband has gone out food shopping now. I've had a headache since I got up, which isn't shifting with paracetamol or ibuprofen. It's across my whole head and in my sinuses, which I've never had before. I don't know if it's normal or not...

tryingtimes20 · 27/04/2020 12:55

@Doughnut100 that's great news! I'm so glad for you that you have a concrete date scheduled in; what a weight off your mind.

@SkyBlue20 I'll be crossing my fingers for you - surely they have to give you something else now after all you've been through...? Good luck!

@amyspames so sorry to hear about what you had to go through, both during the surgery and what's happened after; I'm sending you best wishes for your recovery. With your headache, maybe take things extra easy today and see how you feel tomorrow?

Like @Smilingdonkey and @Ranoutofgoodnames have already said, to everyone else who is still waiting to see what will happen or actively already going through something, you're in my thoughts Flowers xx

tryingtimes20 · 27/04/2020 12:58

Also to everyone who's post their procedure/treatment and is now recovering, hoping you're all getting plenty of opportunity to rest up and relax CakeBrew xx

tryingtimes20 · 27/04/2020 12:59

Side note: I think that's meant to be the MN logo on that mug, but it looks like a marijuana leaf to me...!

SkyBlue20 · 27/04/2020 13:03

ARGH!!! So despite my medical management last Monday, my pregnancy sac has somehow GROWN and is now measuring 10 weeks instead of nine and nine is the cutoff for the MVA 😫 The nurse is going to call the doctor and see if he can still do it and let me know. If I hadn’t had to wait so long, it wouldn’t have grown. This whole thing is a joke!! Plus, the doctor previously told me they could do local anaesthetic or epidural but today I was told it’s just local. I’m past the point of caring about the pain though, I just want it done - and that’s what scares me about the medical, I could go through it all again and it still not budge. This is SO FRUSTRATING!!

amyspames · 27/04/2020 13:16

@SkyBlue20 that's so shit.
Maybe u can ask why they won't do the epidural, you know from me and from doughnut that they are still doing this and the surgical management, it just seems like a postcode lottery, so inconsistent, and all they do is change the rules all the time!!

You are in a similar position in that it hasn't wanted to come out in all the weeks they have kept you waiting and first medical management didn't work.

NHS still accessible my ass! Hopefully you have your husband with you.
Xx

tryingtimes20 · 27/04/2020 13:26

@SkyBlue20 oh my god :( that sounds crazy, I'm can't believe you're having to go through this. Just to check, they haven't said you have to have more MM now have they?! You're definitely going to get some sort of surgery ASAP?

I know things must be so tiring and just nonsensical atm, but keep trying to plead your case for the GA if that is your number one preference - you know from Doughnut that it definitely is a possibility, it's just so unfair as to who gets it and doesn't (and I say this guiltily). I really hope they will give it you as it sounds like they've completely sent you round the houses with this whole thing.

tryingtimes20 · 27/04/2020 13:32

Sorry, I slightly misread your post in my haste. I see now you were saying the options are LA or epidural, with a question mark over the latter :(

Workingmama1 · 27/04/2020 13:47

Oh @SkyBlue20 that is so rubbish, you are having a really shitty time, I'm so sorry. Surely they will now have to offer surgical for you?

@Doughnut100 I'm so pleased for you they have offered you surgery.

I'm still bleeding and have a few clots the size of my little finger this morning but the pain is less that yesterday. I can't remember if they told me to ring if I started bleeding or if the bleeding got too bad. I'm guessing they wouldn't do anything now but not sure how long passing clots is normal?

Smilingdonkey · 27/04/2020 13:54

@dounut100 I had to have the local as it was an emergency and it was brutal. I am still having flashbacks. I wouldn't want to say what is right for anyone as we are all different though. And I guess the plus side is that it was all over quickly xxxx

Smilingdonkey · 27/04/2020 13:58

Sorry @doughnut100 I hadn't read the rest of your posts. I'm glad they agreed to give you a general. I had the ERPC with a spinal tap not the other procedure which I can't remember the name of ... It's all so confusing.
Best of luck xxxx

Smilingdonkey · 27/04/2020 13:59

@skyblue ... I'm so sorry this seems so bloody unfair ...