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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

What happens after a D&C/ERPC?

20 replies

PrePG · 18/03/2008 17:47

I've got a D&C on Thursday. What can I expect afterward? Will the doctor want to see me again a set period of time afterward? Will they be able to tell me anything about the pregnancy and why I miscarried based on what they remove?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 18/03/2008 17:52

I had an ERPC in December for missed miscarriage.

Afterwards, I had very little bleeding and cramping for a few days.

You don't need to see a doctor again unless you have heavy or prolonged bleeding or if you have a foul odor or discharge or spike a temperature.

They usually check tissue to make sure there's no molar pregnancy, but other than that, you probably won't find out why you miscarried.

JamInMyWellies · 18/03/2008 17:56

Hi,

I had an eprc 6wks ago. It was very quick and I didnt even see my consultant afterwards. As soon as I had peed I was allowed home. I have not had any sort of follow up from my consultant (private)not sure if the NHS is any different I would imagine it is the same. I was also told that they would not be testing for a cause as it was my first MC. If it is your 3rd they then start testing what is removed.

Please dont worry it is very quick and painless. My body got back to normal very quickly emotionally and physically but do take your time listen to your body.

Original poster

PrePG · 18/03/2008 18:03

Thank you both for your replies. I'm at the point where I really just want this overwith so we can move on, so I'm glad to hear it will be relatively quick and not drawn out.

Thanks again.

OP posts:

mummytobea · 18/03/2008 21:07

I had an ERPC 4 weeks ago, I armed myself with the strongest painkillers available over the counter but never actually took any! Physically, the procedure was pain free, mentally of course it will take a while to get over. I did feel like a bit of a fraud taking a week off work, then going out for lunch with my mum and daughter the day after the ERPC!
I would warn you that you may not be seen straight away, the day I went in, they had a number of emergencies that kept pushing my time back. Make sure to take something to wear over your surgical gown and some reading material (I managed a whole book and Marie Claire while I was waiting!!) I hope all goes well for you, I will be thinking of you on Thursday.

expatinscotland · 18/03/2008 21:08

if you can go private, i would.

that way you get a set time and don't get pushed back.

elibumbum · 18/03/2008 21:15

I had an ERPC just over 2 weeks ago.

Procedure itself and ga was absolutely fine - had mild crampy pains for a couple of days afterwards but easily treatable with normal paracetamol. Bleeding was light for the first 5 days then got heavier for a couple of days then lighter again - now it is v. light and I'm hoping it will stop completely over the next few days.

I had it done privately and will have a follow up appointment in April (6 weeks after the op). The consultant told me they would do some basic tests on the tissues they removed. He said they won't test for specific chromosomal defects.

FairyMum · 18/03/2008 21:15

I have had several ERPCs. The doctors normally won't be able to tell you why you miscarried. I have always spent a whole day in hospital, always had my own room and been treated really well.

cmotdibbler · 18/03/2008 21:22

I've had two - no followup at all, and even when I was on mc no3 and they were supposed to be doing chromosomal tests they messed up and couldn't.
First one I went in at 10, actually went to theatre at 5, and was discharged at 11. Had to spend the time on the day surgery unit as no beds in gynae.
Second time I had to be admitted as the EPAU at one hospital couldn't do an ERPC for a week, and could only get me on other hospitals list by transfering me. Was first on list, but then had to hang round for 5 hours listening to the other women on the ward talking about their pregnancies.

JamInMyWellies · 18/03/2008 21:27

agree with expat try go private.

FairyMum · 18/03/2008 21:37

Personally I have been very happy with the NHS.

expatinscotland · 18/03/2008 21:39

it varies, FM, a lot.

but from the threads on here, many people don't have such a good experience w/regard to waiting around for hours for their procedure and being placed on busy wards with labouring mothers.

FairyMum · 18/03/2008 21:41

Absolutely expat. Only posted to show its possible to have a good experience on the NHs too.

expatinscotland · 18/03/2008 21:42

If I were back in Edinburgh I wouldn't hesitate to go NHS.

But not here.

PABLOP · 18/03/2008 21:53

oh Prepg sorry to hear about your miscarriage
I know what you mean about wanting to move on. I had erpc last year (Dec 06) on NHS and had to wait a couple of hours, just took my book. There was no follow up and I had severe pains a few days later, doctor prescribed strong painkillers and I was fine.
Know this must be a really sad time for you if its any consolation I was ttc for over 5 years then miscarried in Dec 06, I assumed that was it no more children as I am an older mum, amazingly I became pregnant again 10 weeks later and gave birth to my ds in Dec 07. Thinking about you, stay strong

nauseous · 19/03/2008 08:33

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

I had the ERPC on the NHS in London on Monday. I went in at 11, into theatre by 4.30 and left at 8.30. There was a fair bit of waiting around, but mostly all the staff were lovely and very kind which helped. (Except for the Sister who kicked my husband out of the ward for 2 hours for the so-called 'rest time' - where no-one rested.)

The pessary they gave me to open the cervix and switch off ppregnancy hormones (I think) caused a lot of abdo pain and nausea and for that they gave me tramadol which didn't help but I went into theatre a while after so I was well drugged up by then.

I was in a room of 4 women including myself, no-one was pregnant. They were having hysterectomies, cyst removals etc..

After I'd eaten and peed, I was allowed hone after seeing the doctor, very briefly. They gave me paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain.

I have taken 2 days off work, physically, I feel mostly ok except for some sharp shooting pains, and I'm cream crackered from the general anaesthetic. Emotionally I'm a bit wobbly at times, but I'm finding that just watching dvds is taking my mind off things.

The doctor said no sex for a week, fine by me, to use contraception until the next period, (for dating purposes), after which it was fine to start trying again, if that is what we wanted. Not sure what I want yet but good to get the info.

Good luck with everything.

Original poster

PrePG · 19/03/2008 10:50

Thank you for your messages everyone. It's really a comfort to hear your experiences, although I'm terribly sorry for each and every one. I don't think miscarriage is ever something you can understand unless you've been through it. Two weeks ago I would've said "I'm sorry for you" and genuinely meant it, but I understand the utter devastation so much more now

Last night was horrendous with lots of pain and lots of time spent in the bathroom. I had an assessment with the EPU this morning - they did a scan which showed that the sac has been expelled. I was sure it had - I felt it last night, but I didn't have it in me to look to see what it was. I can't get it through my head that I actually flushed it I'm very sorry if this is TMI. There is some additional tissue, but not much, so the doctor advised that I let it progress naturally and if I don't stop bleeding within 2 weeks I should see them again. So the ERPC has been cancelled.

Thank you all for your thoughts, kind wishes and advice. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:

cmotdibbler · 19/03/2008 11:13

I know just what you mean about the flushing. In mc#2 I just sat there on the loo holding it,wondering what to do next.

With time, the pain lessens, but you never forget. This baby will always be an angel you think of.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 19/03/2008 12:26

I took nearly 2 weeks off work - don't feel bad, the doc will sign you off for whatever you want. i got an infection after, temperature started going up 2 days after so I got some anti-bios. It was uncomfortable for about a week but painkillers helped, that might have been made worse by the infection.
I had to go back for stronger anti-bios as the first didn't kill it. Sadly I passed a load of blood and matter about 5 days after the erpc, I think that's what caused the infection. They did say the procedure took longer than they expected and they had to bring me out of general a after a certain point cos I had been under long enough. Maybe it was just very stuck on and they missed a bit. That's not usual though. Just remember, if you feel a temperature, go straight to the GP/hospital and get anti-bios, don't wait.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 19/03/2008 12:27

Oops just noticed you didn't need the erpc. Well that's a blessing. So sorry for your loss xxxxx

LorettaD · 03/01/2011 12:04

Hi,
this forum has been really helpful for me. I recently had an ERPC and also 2 keyhole surgeries and 2 shots of methotrexate as they thought i had an ectopic pregnancy but couldnt find it anywhere. Ive been up and down the last few weeks.
Found out i was preg at the begining of dec, then had surgery on the 15th and further surgery and ERPC on 23rd dec. Its been a rollercoaster, but its good to be able to talk to others on websites like these.
Im sorry to hear of all your losses. Im going back to work tomorrow in the hope its going to make me think about something else and help me forget whats happened. Im feeling so broody at the mo but have been told to wait 6 months to try again because i has the methotrexate.

Thanks in advance for any replies and thanks for your help.
Loretta

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