Hysteroscopy

[EllaSW]

Hello Mumsnet community. I hope that you’re all doing ok.

I think I may need to have a hysteroscopy if my next scan post-miscarriage shows that there is still some “retained product”. I am considering having an awake hysteroscopy. Does anyone have any experience of the procedure post-miscarriage? I am very nervous, especially as I would like to try again asap.

Hi @EllaSW.
Firstly, I’m so sorry for your loss.

May I ask why you want to remain awake?
A hysteroscopy can be quick & simple if nothing is found - my friend’s was 8 minutes.
Unfortunately it can also be the opposite; in my own case the surgeon had to “do some digging” to remove a growth & it took over 30 minutes. Thankfully I’d opted for a GA so didn’t experience any of the significant physical trauma or the inevitable distress.
Obviously our situations are different.
You may wish to reconsider.
Best wishes x

I have had three without GA and they take a biopsy each time. I am a bit oddly made, so bear that in mind. I have mine because I have pre cancerous cells.

It is uncomfortable and it can become very uncomfortable. All mine were in the morning, so I was advised to eat as it can make you light headed-it didn't in my case. I also took two ibuprofen an hour before and just before-in the loo-applied a lubricant.

The nurse held my hand, I was offered gas and air and I got through it. I was offered the option of a GA at one point but, as I had come so far, I wanted to get it over and done with. It REALLY does help if you can relax or at least not tense up.

You will need someone to drive you home, although I think I could have driven myself.

When I got home, I was bleeding and a little bit sore but not so sore that I was crying. I rested for the rest of the day, took it easy the following day and I was ok.

There is no shame in asking for a GA if you cannot tolerate it.

@HotTiredDogThanks so much for your kind reply. I’m worried about having a GA as I’ve never had one before and have circumstances that could complicate a GA. But I’m also aware that an awake procedure may not be straightforward. I assume that local anaesthetic would alleviate the pain somewhat?

@BookAndPianoThank you for your reply. That’s very helpful. Three without GA is hardcore! Have any of yours been done under local anaesthetic (or just gas and air)?

Not sure whether my experience is helpful as it wasn't post-miscarriage, but in case it is: I've had two and the first one had to be aborted and carried out later under a GA, whereas the second one was almost painless. The only real difference was the person who carried it out.

Are you sure you wouldn’t need a d&c? Anyone I’ve known including myself had a d&c after a mc.
The friends I’ve had who had a hysteroscopy were for things like fertility issues or fibroids.

Yes, I assume so too - I was offered that but declined as the growth was in an awkward place & I didn’t want to be aware of the activities that the surgeon was carrying out!
I’ve had quite a bit of surgery over the years & never had a problem with GAs (10, maybe?) It usually takes me a day or two to recover, but it just means resting, really.
The anaesthetist will talk to you prior to the procedure, go through your circumstances & answer any questions you may have; they may offer you a lighter sedation which could be the answer to your situation.
Please don’t hesitate to call the unit to raise your concerns in advance, I’ve always had great support with my own particular brand of complicating circumstances!

I’ve had a few and always awake, I’d start with how you are with a smear and internal ultrasounds I’m guessing you’ve had?

if you’ve struggled with those at all I’d be tempted by the GA, I’ve been fine with them done awake, but we are all made different

im sorry for your loss.

@lunar1Thank you. To answer your question - ok with internal ultrasounds but terrible with smears, weirdly. If you don’t mind me asking, were your awake hysteroscopies for miscarriage?

@fashionqueen0123This is what the doctor has recommended but I’ll doublecheck. Thanks

I’ve had 4 in total, two were for miscarriages, one was prior to fertility treatment and one for biopsies and a coil.

@HotTiredDogthank you, your replies are really helpful.

@PassportPanicFuuuckThank you. V interesting.

@lunar1 I’m sorry for your losses. I hope that the fertility treatment went or is going ok.

they advised that I may need a temporary copper coil post-hysteroscopy. Did you have to have that too?

Mine is spaced over a lot of years, my fertility treatment babies are 17&14 now 🤣

this coil was an attempt to manage bleeding prior to fibroid surgery, it’s failed miserably so they are trying to bump me up the list as I needed two transfusions last year

Yes, I should have mentioned that I wasn't offered a local on the first one but I was on the remaining two and it was helpful...not a magic bullet though!

It might be an idea to ask for one before they begin, just in case they don't offer.

Good luck...it will soon be over and you will be at home on the sofa, eating chocolate and watching TV but don't forget, if you can't tolerate it, then ask for it to stop and go for a GA.

I had two recently (due to menopause not miscarriage).

I was incredibly anxious.

I took paracetamol and ibuprofen before the procedure and had gas and air and both were absolutely fine.

I had a polyp removed during one of them with no pain.

Hi - I've had 3 x hysteroscopies over the past few years - I'm terrible with smears and massively struggled to get through the first couple with just paracetamol and a bit of gas and air - to the extent that I fainted after the 2nd one and had to go to a recovery room for a while.

For the 3rd one I asked for a spinal block, as I also didn't want a GA. It was amazing and I will now never have a gynae procedure without one! You are wide awake, but feel nothing below the waist down for a few hours. You have to spend a few hours afterwards on the ward until you get the feeling back in your legs, but other than that it's just brilliant - no pain, and I got a bit of sedative while they were doing it, so I essentially had a small snooze and then it was all done.

I always come on threads like this to recommend it as I'm not sure it's advertised widely that you do have this option and can ask for a spinal block.

Have they explained why? I’ve really never heard of this before. Are you in the uk? You can always ask for a second opinion.

Moving on from a mc is hard I found it really difficult but once it’s all removed you can at least start trying again.

One of the indicators that you will find hysteroscopy difficult is having a bad time with smears. I had a GA because of this. You are only out for a very short length of time.

Just an update in case anyone else is in a similar situation and finds this conversation. I had the procedure last week with mild sedation and it was absolutely fine. Obviously everyone is different but I share this in the interests of balance as I was quite spooked when googling!

And thank you all for the words of advice 🙂

Thank you for the update @EllaSW I’m so glad that this went well for you. Best wishes for your future fertility & health xx

@HotTiredDog Thank you so much ☺️ x