After I found out our baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks (I was supposed to be 7.5 weeks), I scoured mumsnet to decide what I should do next.
Medical management seemed right for me given the relatively low risks and as the thought of an MVA or D&C freaks me out a little.
When my EPU told me there was a one week wait for surgical procedures that day, it cemented my decision and I opted for the medical management option.
However, the stories online were largely really freaking scary, with women describing large bleeds and pain as bad as labour. I was scared.
I took the first tablet in the EPU and experienced no side effects.
I then inserted the next tablets 2 days later. I also took 2 paracetamol and diclofenac right away(no codeine as I'm breastfeeding).
I then lay down for an hour. To this point I hadn't had any cramps or bleeding at all, so was worried it wouldn't work for me.
However, after a couple of hours I started to bleed. The pain was minimal; like a normal period. I went for a walk to the park and cooked dinner. I had mild back ache and mild cramps that came and went. My toddler was with me the whole time and there was never a point I couldn't chat / play with him.
I had to change my pad every few hours (although it wasn't soaked through) and whenever I would pee it would be half blood, half urine. There were also some small clots and "stringy" blood.
About 10 hours after the tablet, I passed what must have been the little embryo. It was about 1/2 the size of an egg and jelly like. Some people say this is the most painful part for them but I felt no pain.
When my paracetamol wore off I didn't take more, as I didn't feel the need.
I then had period type bleeding for a further 5 days and spotting for another 4 days. There were often clots but, again, no pain.
For the record, I don't see myself as someone with a high pain threshold at all.
I got my negative FRER today (3.5 weeks on).
Honestly, I would choose this option again if I ever had to (hopefully not!).
I appreciate I was lucky that all went well but I do wonder if the horror stories online are representative of the average experience or if people are more likely to write about a medical miscarriage if it was a bad experience.
I'm not writing this post to "brag" that all went well or to question the awful experiences some have had (I've no doubt their stories are accurate of their experience), I just want to let anyone else facing a medically managed miscarriage that they can be really straightforward.