Hi lovely ladies,
I'm sorry that you are on here and for your losses. hugs
I am home now after having the mva procedure and thought I would share my experience. When I decided to have this option I found it invaluable reading other people's experiences so I could be as prepared as I could be, so I thought I'd add to the small number of experiences in case this is an option you are considering.
I found out last week at a 9wk private scan that sadly our little one had died only a few days before. I went to the epau the following day where it was confirmed and options discussed. I decided to go with the mva as I didn't want to wait for weeks for a natural management, nor did I like the idea of dealing with that side of things with 3 children at home. But this is completely ok if you want to, every one has different emotions at this sad time and there is certainly no right or wrong way to 'deal' with this horrible situation....It's a very personal choice.
I had bloods done at the epau and was booked in for today for the procedure.
On arrival I went through the procedure again with a very kind nurse, signed the consent and then had 4 pessaries inserted to soften the cervix. I also had a cannula put in my arm but was assured this was 'just in case'. I was given oral antibiotics and naproxen also. Then I waited for a few hours, was told I could eat or drink if I wanted.
Once they were ready, I was taken to a procedure room and laid on a bed, feet in stirrups.
The consultant inserted a speculum, just like smear, cleared the residue from the pessaries then applied numbing gel....No pain, just feeling something was in there.
Then she injected the local anaesthetic....No pain, just feeling like something was poking my cervix.
It was at this point I got a ringing in my ears, she said it was common after the local or could mean I would pass out. I took a few deep breaths and told myself out loud it was ok and felt fine within seconds.
Then she did the procedure whilst the nurse held the scanner firmly over my tummy. Again, no real pain, just movement. I had the odd cramp that felt like bad period pain, but this lasted seconds. She did the procedure a few times to make sure all was clear and then there was suction sound for a second....Again, no real pain, just crampy. And that was it, done within 5 minutes most.
I laid there for a bit with the nurse holding my hand as it was at this point I let my emotions go....I'd kept strong all day so I could be in control and get through it. After about 10mins, I was carefully helped up and obs were checked, before wiping myself and getting dressed. I then went back to the quiet room, had the best cup of tea and biscuits and waited for the final checks (obs, cannula removal and blood loss check).
Within the hour, I was hugging my husband in the carpark.
I am home now, have eaten a good meal and am relaxing as best I can. I am quite crampy, but no more severe than bad period pain. I am not sore 'in there' and blood loss is very minimal, although this can vary woman to woman, day to day.
I am however emotionally drained from keeping strong most of the day, but that's what I personally needed to do to get through it, especially as I was on my own due to restrictions in hospital.
As I said, the way you manage this awful time is completely personal, but for me, this was absolutely the right choice.
I hope my experience helps ease your minds if you decide this option, and I do realise that each woman will experience this differently, but I wanted to share what I'd been through.
Take care of yourselves. Xxx