MMC at 8+2 weeks

[Khanga27]

Hi all

I had a private scan today at 8+2 weeks for my first pregnancy, and we were told that it looks like a probable MMC. The yolk sack etc has developed as it should but the embryo has barely developed from the start and has no heart beat. The lady at the clinic was so lovely and supportive. The EPU at the hospital doesn't open weekends so she said she will call first thing Monday once she's spoken to them.

I just wanted to understand if anyone else has experienced this and what happens from now. The sonographer referenced a pill to take if the hospital confirms a MMC. However I've seen posts about limited success with this and it being drawn out, and some people referencing d&c? What is this and what does it entail. For my stage am I likely to be offered it?

I also wondered whether anyone shared their miscarriage experience with people close that may not have been aware of the pregnancy. We only shared our pregnancy news with our parents who we have told today about the scan news.

Hi OP, sorry for your loss.

Lots of threads on this board where Mners discuss their experiences- you shouldn't have to search or scroll back far.

You will most likely be offered 3 options:

1. Expectant (wait for it to happen naturally) -if you do this ask to be prescribed strong painkillers and ask how you will know when it's done, and what you need to do and not/do while bleeding/afterwards.
2. medical - tablets taken orally and sometimes as a vaginally pessary as well. This is to speed up the natural process. Ask about painkillers etc as above.
3. surgical. This could be MVA where you are awake and under local anaesthetic or ERPC where you're under general. Some risks from both types of procedure but the benefit is you're pretty much 'done' when you get out of hospital.

There's no right or wrong. For my first MC I started bleeding naturally, heavily and very painfully before a scan showed the pregnancy was no longer viable. Because I didn't know how long expectant would last I didn't want that option (i got the impression the acyte pain could last for dats or weeks) but from posts in here it sounds as though the most painful bit is typically done within the day.

Good luck, take the time that you need. It's a bereavement and you will need time to feel sad.

Re your 2nd post yes I did. I found it helpful. As time has gone on (my first was 11 months ago) it has become more of a matter of fact thing

@Whataretheodds Thanks for your reply. I've had no signs of bleeding whatsoever yet the CRL measurement (which I think is the embryo) was only 2mm despite the sac measuring 23mm (i think 2mm is maybe 5 weeks if that), so I feel if it was to have happened naturally it would have maybe started by now?

I'm a bit nervous about the idea of surgical and anaesthetic in case something went wrong like scarring or something like that (even if that is rare)?

I wondered about at some point (not now) telling my brothers and maybe a couple of very close friends, but I don't feel ready for that just yet.

Hi, I’m going through the exact same right now except at 10 weeks but like you a yolk sack with a tiny pole with no heartbeat. EPU told me that unfortunately due to the size of the pregnancy I have to wait another 10 days from the day they scanned me for another scan to confirm miscarriage and that I didn’t get my dates wrong (which we both know I didn’t) but it’s their policy. I’m just warning you as I am desperate for management but I can’t have it until next Monday at the earliest due to their policy. Have started spotting now so may well happen naturally anyway which I didn’t really want. I’m sorry you’re going through this too. I just wanted to warn you as I was really upset about being made to wait xx

@Allicit thanks for your reply, and I am so sorry to hear you are going through the same. My scan was private and she did explain with sac being just under the 25mm that if the EPU scan showed under this too then there may be a wait before offering me interventions.

I think the only way I'm a bit too nervous about is surgical in case something goes wrong.

@Khanga27 sucks to be in it together I guess! Yes I had private scan Tuesday, EPU Thursday then next EPU Monday with surgery booked for Tuesday. I think however you want to do this is fair enough.

I want the surgery because I want the closure of it and I’m scared of miscarrying naturally at home with my toddler about. But it may well happen anyway and EPU said to keep the Monday scan either way for closure if needed. I think now I’ve calmed a little I feel a little more prepared if it does happen at home and EPU were incredibly kind and gave some good advice.

I really hope you’ve got someone amazing taking care of you. I think it seems to come in waves. I’ve heard lots of people (including friends) who took the tablets saying they wish they had gone straight for surgery as they ended up needing it anyway with the tablets. But I completely understand why that isn’t right for some people too. I think it’s whatever feels right to you when you’ve had a chance to discuss it with EPU xx

You don't have to tell people unless and until you're ready to.

There is a chance of scarring with surgery, yes. It's relatively small but you need to weigh up what's best for you.
I opted for medical the first time round but it didn't complete properly so I had ERPC. 2nd time I had MVA. I'm now pregnant for the 3rd time, 12w+6

Thanks all for replies.

So I'm the clinic rang the hospital that I had been registered with, and the first appointment they could offer me was Tuesday 8th August. It feels a long time to wait. It happens to be 10 days after my private scan but she said it was just the first they had. They also said that the hospital have said if I have bleeding or start to miscarry in the meantime they still couldn't give me an earlier appointment and I would have to go through A&E.

I'm the same distance to another hospital which I think falls under a different trust and she said there was nothing stopping me ringing that hospital for advice or to see if they had an earlier appointment.

Thank you. It's so tricky to know what's best. I have to wait until 8th August for an NHS scan to have it confirmed before anything, so it's going to be a long week.

Just thinking back to the scan and having a giggle at the start because my bladder was too full for transabdomonal and obstructing my uterus so had to go to loo. Just to have the overriding aspect after the transvaginal being that it wasn't good news.

My partner and mum have been wonderful. I hope you have a good support network around you too

Thanks for the message. Im sorry about your previous losses, and congratulations on your current pregnancy.

I told work today and they were really supportive. I have NHS scan next Tuesday which feels ages to wait so just need to try and distract myself the best I can.

I'm really glad work have been supportive. All you can do is take one day at a time. Know that you will get through the other side.

Hi OP, I'm really sorry this is happening, it's so unfair. I went through something similar recently, I had a private scan at 7 weeks showing just a sac, then self-referred to EPU who scanned me again 2 weeks later to confirm MMC. I had no bleeding and my symptoms continued which felt really cruel.

I went down the medical management route, which I was really nervous about because I'd read mixed stories on here. But I didn't want to be knocked out and I couldn't face any more waiting. The medical management was not as bad as I had feared, a very heavy period for a day, which was manageable with paracetamol and a hot water bottle. Then a light period for a week. I was scanned 48 hours after and everything had cleared.

We hadn't told anyone I was pregnant, but once it was all confirmed I told two of my closest friends who have been very supportive. I felt so much grief for what could have been, so prepare for that and tell who you need to for support

@Pilchycat I'm really sorry to hear of your experience, and thank you for sharing. I think reading more about it has really helped with the fear aspect.

So I've still had no bleeding and no cramping, but have really bad nausea today (worst I have had to be honest) and have still had sore boobs and extreme tiredness which just feels so cruel for my body to trick me like this, and it's making me really struggle to accept things are over. I think I really need my scan date to come sooner to try and get some closure.

I hope you are doing okay @Allicit