Did anyone else have a closed cervix during miscarriage?

[bluegrass1]

FYI, I'm not describing all this for sympathy or attention, I just want to know if what I experienced was normal or if anyone else underwent the same process when they miscarried, because I can't find any other similar stories.

I recently miscarried at 12 weeks of pregnancy, however it looks like the baby actually died at about 7 weeks. After several days of bleeding but no cramping, I woke up one morning with cramps. They came and went like contractions, and got so bad I was screaming in pain and barely able to walk. I have never experienced any pain like it in my life. It got to the point that I lost sensation in parts of my body like my hands. I went into hospital (I had to crawl along a corridor to find the EPU until someone saw me and gave me a wheelchair).

The nurses said the reason I was in so much pain was because my uterus was trying to pass everything but my cervix was closed, so my uterus was just swelling up and up like a balloon with no release. They had to give me codeine just so I would become relaxed enough for the nurse to look into my cervix, because I was pushing the speculum out. Eventually my waters broke and I delivered everything, and the pain stopped immediately.

I've been looking for other stories about people's cervixes closing up causing their uterus to expand with no release, and leading to extreme pain, but I haven't been able to find any stories like this... have you ever heard of such a thing? Is this level of pain normal during miscarriage? I've seen videos of childbirth, but in none of them have I seen the woman scream like I was screaming or flail around like I was (and I am not a dramatic person as a rule!)

Did anyone else experience a closed cervix and severe pain like this?

Yes I had exactly the same as you describe. I have had 3 miscarriages now and the one where my cervix was closed was just unbearable. Contractions like nothing else, I crawled into EPU, couldn’t sit or stand. Worst pain of my life.

The doctors said the pain was because my cervix was closed the baby didn’t have anywhere to go, I was 12 weeks and the baby measured that size too.

I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️

@Gymbelle I'm so sorry to hear you had this experience - I can really empathise. They didn't explain to me why my cervix was closed, and now I'm wondering if this is a normal occurrence or indicative of some abnormality... as in, why didn't my cervix know to open up? Did they say anything to you about what causes a closed cervix during miscarriage?

I think for that one it all happened so quickly, my body didn’t have time to release the hormones to cause my cervix to open. We had a heartbeat at previous scans and she said I had likely lost it very close to when I miscarried.

In all honesty I don’t think they know that much. I have had very few answers any time and have found the care to be poor both during and afterwards.

How have you found it?
Xxx

Mine also happened very rapidly, although it was preceded by days of bleeding with no pain. When it actually happened, the pain was unbearable.

I'm sorry the care was poor :( in my case I felt well cared for. The only issue is that we were offered a cremation, but 20 days later I haven't heard anything, and when I call to ask no one picks up. I have no idea how long they normally wait before cremations, though.

Everything was completely normal for me. No pain, no bleeding throughout the 12 weeks then it suddenly started out of nowhere and was all done 11 hours later.

I am so glad you had good care.I’m going to look into some counselling as I am feeling quite low at the moment. I keep looking for answers but they messed up with my miscarriage in January and didn’t test the baby in cytogenetics (even though I signed all the forms for this to be done) but they have promised me it will be done for my most recent.

How are you feeling?

I have had 2 miscarriages. The first one my cervix just wouldn't open at all. My gynaecologist was looking into a mini c-section as the products (that what they called it) just wouldn't come away. Luckily they eventually broke down and I managed to pass them. I have since had 2 children but needed c-sections.

@Gymbelle I'm so sorry you didn't feel well-cared for... that's terrible that they didn't test the baby, even though you asked for this :-(

I'm feeling ok, but I think it will really hit me when we start trying again, as I'll be reminded that we already had a child... It took me about half a year to get pregnant, so I'm not looking forward to potentially ttc for many more months, as it can be such a long, disappointing process, especially when other women seem to get pregnant so easily.

I'm also frustrated that we were offered a cremation for the baby which we could attend, but weeks later we still haven't heard anything, and getting through to the hospital it basically impossible

@unsportyspice that's interesting to know, thank you... so were the c-sections because your cervix also didn't open during labour? (if you don't mind me asking)

Yes me too.
I needed hospitalisation, morphine and gas & air for contractions.

There was a big clot/tissue stuck in my cervix one time as I recall. Had to be removed manually and then the relief was instantaneous.

It’s always like a switch being flicked, as soon as everything passes the severe intense pain stops.

The pain though, exactly as you describe op, can’t speak, think, feel my hands/feet/face it’s so severe.
Hugs op, it’s awful.

@Damnyoureyes :( poor you. Thank you for sharing xxx

[quote bluegrass1]@unsportyspice that's interesting to know, thank you... so were the c-sections because your cervix also didn't open during labour? (if you don't mind me asking)[/quote]
Yes. The first one they tried to let me deliver naturally but cervix wouldn't open at all. Baby ended up in distress. Second was elective section as gynaecologist said it would only happen again.