Surgical management of MMC

[Teafortwo2019]

Hello

I’ve found out today that our 9 week twins have lost their heartbeats recently.

I don’t want to to wait for them to pass naturally and feel the surgical would be best for me.

Does anyone have any advice or local vs general? I’ve done some research and it appears that most people find the surgical removal under local, very painful?

Any advice would be appreciated as I am going into hospital to have the miscarriage confirmed tomorrow and need to decide how to remove pregnancy 💔

Sorry to hear of your losses. I had surgical
management 12 days ago under local and I would describe it as more uncomfortable than painful. I also found that I was ok before and after the procedure but during it, I just had an emotional meltdown.

I think there are pros and cons to both. With local, the cons are as above but they do use an ultrasound to see if all of the product is removed whereas with general they do it blind and there is a chance you may retain product and have to go through it again. But then at least with general you're unaware of it all happening.

I guess it is for you to weigh up your options and what you are more comfortable with. I think what helped make my decision is that with local, I know I wouldn't have to go through it a second time and it was all over with in about 20 mins.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this and I hope everything goes ok for you ♥️

I'm so sorry you're going through this too.

I didn't consider local, I opted immediately for general. I went to sleep and woke up what felt like a moment later, a tiny bit of cramping but nothing horrific. No other side effects though I took time off work for the emotional loss.

I had general at 13wks for a MMC (baby died 11 wks+). Emptionally, still a lot to go through. Physically, very straightforward and almost pain free. Staff completely lovely. Sent home with several grades of painkiller in case I needed them (I didnt)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I've had 5 losses now-

An early natural miscarriage
A twin MMC (surgery under GA)
A molar pregnancy (medical management)
A mmc (surgery under GA)
A mmc (surgery under local)

And I would always pick surgery under GA if given the option.

I wasn't allowed last time due to covid and found the MVA under local absolutely horrendous. I don't say that to scare you but to warn you. I felt very missold on mine. I was told it would be 'short bursts of pain' but endured 20 minutes of pure agony.

In both cases with the surgery, I felt very well cared for, had only minimal pain and bleeding afterwards and found the mental recovery easier too.

Hth and I hope it goes smoothly whatever option you chose. It's such a hard, horrible decision to make.