MVA vs. General anaesthetic

[UrsulaSings123]

Hi everyone I had a missed miscarriage confirmed today. I don't want medical or expectant management due to previous bad experiences. I am struggling to choose between MVA under local anaesthetic, or a general anaesthetic and was wondering if anyone could help with their experiences.

If I have a general I can have it next Wed, but mva can't be booked until a week on Tues so 2 weeks to wait. I am meant to be going on holiday 3 weeks today and I'm worried if I have an MVA 1 week before going on holiday that it doesn't leave much room for complications. However I am worried about the increased risk of perforation and scar tissue that comes with having it done under a general.

I honestly don't know which option to go for. If I wait for mva there's a possibility it will pass before then, which I don't really want either. I keep flip flopping between the two.

I'm so sorry to hear of your MMC 🩷 I hope you're doing ok. It's such an awful and shocking thing to go through.
I had surgery under a general anaesthetic 3 weeks ago. I didn't want it under a local anaesthetic as I didn't want to be aware of what was happening.
The GA was absolutely fine, I felt so relaxed going under and it was a relief when I woke up that it was all over. I had to stay in hospital for 3 or so hours afterwards and couldn't drive for a day but I'm so glad I chose that option. I had very minimal bleeding, only that night and a little and then it was spotting for a day or so. Didn't need pads after the first night. I think any complications are rare from what I read. As far as I know both procedures are similar except one is under local anaesthetic and one is under general?

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage. It's been a difficult time. That reassures me a little as I know they have to go through the risks but it really does scare you. Especially the bit about scar tissue.

Did you have pain afterwards?

I am meant to be flying less than 2 weeks after this procedure. Would you have felt comfortable doing that?

I did have the same thoughts about the scarring, I guess I wouldn't know yet if I had any issues?
I only had some cramping that night and I think a little bit the next day but really wasn't as bad as I expected. I had the procedure on the Thursday late afternoon and I was really tired on the Friday. I started feeling better over the weekend and by Monday I was painting the bathroom! So you'll be absolutely fine to go on holiday if your procedure goes as well as mine did.

OK thank you for answering my questions x

I hope it goes ok for you 🩷

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I had an MVA as I absolutely didn’t want a GA but unfortunately I was the one in 200 where a piece of tissue was left behind and I continued to bleed which progressively got worse until I was passing huge clots and had to have a second MVA about two weeks later

I doubt that would happen to you and I was unlucky but it’s just something to be aware of. If all goes smoothly you should have stopped bleeding by the time of your holiday. I had particular reasons not to want a GA though and refused it even when they wanted me to do that instead of a second MVA.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had surgical management under GA for my miscarriage in September last year - I might have opted for an MVA but like you I would have had to wait much longer for it, whereas for GA I could go in the day after my confirmatory scan and just get it over with.

I was pretty anxious about it as I had never had a GA before and the grief of the miscarriage was still very raw so I found the lead up to the surgery quite distressing - however, I definitely feel it was ultimately the right option for me. It was over and done without me knowing anything about it, and I had been extremely frightened of the idea of miscarrying naturally at home so it meant there was no chance of that happening. My recovery was straightforward - minimal bleeding during and after the procedure (I was told to expect something like a period, but what I had was much lighter than that) and the physical recovery was quick. I rested up in the afternoon/evening after getting home from the hospital, and took my time about going back to my normal exercise routine until all bleeding had completely stopped, but was otherwise able to do things normally from the next day. I definitely wouldn't have had any issues travelling a couple of weeks later if I had needed to.

One thing I did experience and that is common after surgery - and you would have this whether you go for the MVA or GA - is a big hormone crash around 48-72 hours after the surgery as hormone levels rapidly return to normal. I was warned about it in advance, but it was still tough as I went from feeling surprisingly okay to a complete emotional wreck in the space of a few hours. There isn't really anything you can do to avoid it, but it's worth knowing about so that if/when it happens you know that it's totally normal.

If you haven't already, you may want to have a read of this leaflet by the Miscarriage Association - I found this really helpful in making my decision about management options, as it sets out the pros and cons and risk of complications: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Management-of-miscarriage.pdf

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I really wish I could have gone in sooner as it looks like things are just happening at home, which is not what I wanted at all. I've been in lots of pain today and red blood. Just hope it doesn't last a long time. I had a miscarriage previously and bled for 7 weeks it was horrible and I really wanted to avoid that this time.

@UrsulaSings123 I'm sorry this is happening, I hope you're ok x

Thank you. I'm scared of being in lots of pain. My partner works away so I am on my own in the evenings and overnight sometimes with our 3yo. He came home today as I was in pain but I know he can't do that all the time. I'm just so worried something will happen while I'm at home with my son on my own and I won't be able to care for him.

That's understandable you're scared, I would be feeling the same. You will be ok, do you have paracetamol in the house? It may help with the pain. Also do you have family or friends that can help out with your little one? Sending you hugs!

Hi @UrsulaSings123 @jellyfish2
I'm in a very similar position, unfortunately, MMC found on a scan at 8+5 weeks only 6 weeks and no HB. Devastated as have been trying for 2 years, it's my first ever pregnancy and I was just so hopeful that our dreams would work out.
Anyway...
I had my scan at EPU today, I have opted for surgical under GA. For me there is no other option, I couldn't consider MVA under local, the thought of being aware of the procedure is too much for me. I am also scared it won't be fully pain free. The soonest they can offer me is next Thursday afternoon, I had no symptoms at all, so I really hope it will be okay to wait until then, I am quite frightened of it starting naturally (both the pain and the expected bleeding). I will be at work from now until the surgery so I really hope it doesn't start. I'm also hoping that the bleeding will be minimal so I can hopefully work a bit the following day (I don't know if that's a ludicrous idea or not) but definitely from the following Monday. Medical or natural management also is not really ideal. Bugger jt none of it is ideal really, is it?
How are you feeling @UrsulaSings123, have you made your decision yet?

@californiacooper I'm so sorry you're going through this too, it's so devastating. It's scary how many of us experience this when you read all of the stories on here. Can you take some time off work? It really does take a toll on your mental health. I had just over two weeks off and that was just enough time for me. I feel really sad today and I'm not sure why. Possibly because it's my birthday this week and I was supposed to be pregnant as I turned another year older.

@jellyfish2 hi, no not really able to take any time off. Obviously the day I'll be in hospital.
I'm
Sorry you're low this week. I absolutely hate my birthday, I have this thing where i basically get really sad and cry for my birthday (it starts to build up from the month before). This one I know will be one of the worst, it's not until may but I doubt I'll be pg by then. (Out of interest, the same thing happens on NYE. The amount of turns of midnight I've been on my own in another room bawling my eyes out I can't count. Well I can. 36 of them.)
This was supposed to be "The Year". And it's not, now.
I was quietly looking forward to "my first Mother's Day" too. Although DH has got me a card from the cats for the last two years, this one was going to be special

@californiacooper I'm sorry to hear how you're feeling too, it's just so hard. I'll be 36 on my birthday. This may very well still be your year! I keep hearing you're more fertile after a miscarriage but who knows. I can't figure out what's happening with my cycle, ovulation tests were positive for awhile but I think that wee HCG and now they're all negative. At this point I either want to pinpoint ovulate so we can TTC again or just get my period so I know where I am but nothing seems to be happening.

@jellyfish2 I didn't really do OPK, just tried to cover every 2-3 days for about 5 days after my period until I was sure the window was nearly over, it didn't work, (I had IVF as I have hardly any eggs left so probably aren't ovulating very often anyway). Not sure whether it's worth doing them after the surgery, just for a month or so to see. Or if it will be extra stress on top of an already stressful situation

Maybe just dtd every 2-3 days like you were doing (once you've recovered). You can see how you feel physically after the surgery and mentally too, I think it's hard to know how you'll be. I've been fine for the last week or so but today it's hit me again all of a sudden which I didn't expect.

@UrsulaSings123 I'm sorry to hear that you've had more pain and bleeding - if it does happen naturally I hope it's over quickly for you. Do you have a relative or friend who could help with looking after your little one if things do get worse while your partner is away? Make sure that you also have plenty of pads and painkillers as well in case you need them. Take care of yourself. ❤

I have spoken to the gp and they have prescribed 15/500 cocodomol which is stronger than the stuff you get at the pharmacy. He said I can also take naproxen which I was prescribed before as well. The pain has been better today but I have just spent the day in bed. I have spoken to a friend who is going to look after my son on Saturday. Thank you for your message and I'm sorry you've experienced the same recently.

@UrsulaSings123 I'm so glad you've been able to get a friend to help you out and you've got some good painkillers. Hope you're ok.

I have decided on surgical but only because its sooner. I don't even know if I'll last until then and like you I am so scared of miscarriage at home. I have read some scary things on the miscarriage association website and on here.

I am so sorry this is not your year 😥reading your messages made me feel so sad and I relate so much to what you say. I think you're incredible for working throughout this. The only thing I would say is general anaesthetic can make you feel quite tired so I'm not sure if you'll feel able to work on Friday.

Thank you for your message. Yes I could probably do with more pads. I haven't bled loads and loads yet or had any big clots which is what is making me think it will get worse.