Repeat MVA after retained products

[Norberta]

Hi everyone,

If you're hovering around this board I expect it's because you're also having a terrible time so firstly, sending love to all of you.

Secondly, has anyone had to have repeat surgical management of their MMC? I had a MMC at 8.5 weeks in Feb, MVA end Feb (as EPRC was not being offered due to COVID), positive tests 3 weeks after so was rescanned. Retained products were seen on the scan so it's looking like a repeat procedure will be required.

I'm worried that another MVA could be damaging and might leave me with scarring that could impact my fertility but I can't leave the tissue in there forever as I am still getting BFPs 6 weeks after the first procedure and no sign of AF either to clear out that tissue naturally.

I have no signs of infection and apart from the mental anguish this is causing me, am otherwise well.

Anyone else experienced similar and can share their story or advice?

Very similar happened to me. I had an emergency ERCP on 4 February but still had blazing positive pregnancy tests 3 weeks later. I was rescanned and retained tissue was found. Like you I had no signs of infection but was told my period wouldn't return until the tissue was removed, and that I was at risk of further heavy bleeding if it wasn't dealt with.

I had an MVA on 1 March and my period arrived on 10 March. That worried me and I wasn't convinced it was a period after such a short time, but on reflection it was 5 weeks after the actual miscarriage and it looked/felt exactly like a period. I'm due my second post miscarriage period any day now.

I was left with anaemia after heavy blood loss and two procedures but am being treated with iron supplements. Other than that I'm feeling okay again.

It's just really unlucky I think. I was told chance of retained tissue after ERCP was 1-2%. Could have really done without being in that group.

Are you leaning towards another MVA or medical management? I refused the latter as was told the success rate was only about 50% and I just wanted it all over with.

Good luck whatever you decide.

@Nibblonian thanks so much for your response it’s such a relief to hear there is someone else who’s had to endure this and is coming out the other side! I’m certain I will go for the MVA for the reason that if the first MVA couldn’t shift that tissue there’s no way the medical will! I’ve managed to get into a spiral convincing myself that more tampering with my uterus will leave me scarred and infertile but I think that’s just dr google spooking me and I need to be brave and let them do what needs doing. Like I said its good to hear you are (mostly) in good nick now...

Like you I feel like a anomaly, miscarriage after seeing a heartbeat (rare) retained tissue after MVA (rare) so now I’m like what other rare disorder is around the corner for me!!

Hopefully that’s my lot of bad luck though and this will all be behind me soon.

I really feel for you @Norberta. It was such a frightening experience for me and I felt in no way prepared for the possibility of haemorrhage or being so unwell. To then have to go back for another procedure felt incredibly cruel. Doing it all alone due to Covid restrictions didn't help either.

Two months on I'm surprised by how much better I feel, physically and emotionally. I think the shock of it all shielded me from the loss in some ways and with my clinical head on I can rationalise that this pregnancy just wasn't right. That said, I'm very scared about trying again even though I know the chances of going through all that again are small no greater than the average woman's. Still, being 'special' enough to be in the 1-2% complication rate group this time has rattled my irrational, non-clinical side. I can completely empathise with the feeling of 'what's next'. In both our cases I very much hope the answer to that is perfectly boring and uneventful, normal life stuff.

I lost twins at 16 wks last year, I was given medication to force labour, that was all straightforward. I had to have the placenta removed manually (it's as awful as it sounds) they thought they got it all but a month later I was rushed back into hospital via ambulance with very heavy bleeding and bad infection. Scan revealed retained product. Had an MVA and felt so much better. I lost about 3rd of my blood so if you need the procedure I would really recommend getting sorted before infection sets in. I am now nearly 19 wks and so far all has been fine and getting pregnant again was ok once period returned not long after. I hope you feel better soon

@Crazylemon86 thanks for your advice I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had a rough time but DELIGHTED to hear you’re doing well in your new pregnancy that is my number one concern so tbh I am happy to endure whatever I have to as long as I get a baby out of it one day (soon hopefully)

Hi there, I'm going through this at the minute. I had an MVA on 30th Jan 2022 I should of been 12 weeks but the pregnancy stopped growing at 6 weeks. 4 weeks later I'm still faintly testing positive. I've been doing tests regularly and they've never got any lighter and never got any darker. So by not getting darker I know this can't be a new pregnancy. I go tomorrow for bloods just to make sure they are not rising and staying at 15 my second mva is booked in for this Thursday to remove the tissue. Really worries about it all. How are you now?

Hi Nicola I'm booked for mva tomorrow and so scared, how did it all go with you in the end, the retained tissue I have is only 1cm small x

Hi @Bonbon717 i know your question was to Nicola but as the OP just wanted to stop in and say after my 2nd MVA to remove the retained tissue (which was much less painful than the first) and then 12 weeks with no period believing I was infertile I am now nearly 22 weeks pregnant with a very healthy wriggly baby! There is hope! Hope your procedure is as straight forward as possible and you are back on the road to baby town asap. Xxxxxx