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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

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Experiences of blighted ovum please

37 replies

NarkySparkly · 11/09/2008 15:37

Hi all,
Would be 10 weeks pregnant tomorrow but on Tuesday night I noticed some brown discharge which then turned into rusty coloured wipes after I had been to the toilet.
The cramps started and I knew I was miscarrying so I went to see my GP for a referral to the early pregnancy unit - he refused to refer me, instead instructing me to go home and rest for 3 days.
We phoned two hospitals but neither of them could see us without a referral so we paid for a private scan last night where a blighted ovum was confirmed, measuring 22mm.
Am now waiting for an appointment for an ERPC but it's not likely to be until Tuesday.
Am just wondering what the chances are of miscarrying naturally by then and looking for advice from people who have been in the same situation.
Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
NarkySparkly · 11/09/2008 19:52

Thank you so much cocolepew. The support and advice I'm getting here means so much.

OP posts:
SqueakyPop · 11/09/2008 19:53

My first pregnancy was a blighted ovum.

I was fairly sick and thought that this was a good sign. However, at 11 weeks, I started spotting, which grew to a, still light, but brown mucousy discharge. GP did a home visit and told me to bed rest over the weekend but gave me an appt for a scan (they didn't do EPU in those days).

I had four days of brown mucousy discharge before the scan and it never really amounted to anything (I still had hope).

When I had the scan, DH stayed outside and they called him in before saying anything. Then they said the bad news. The pregancy had ended at 10 weeks. There was an empty sac but no baby. My emotions were to be mortally embarrassed at not, imo at the time, being properly pregnant.

In those days (1990), the protocol was an immediate D&C. I was admitted to gynae ward, and they would not entertain any thoughts of leaving to get my nightie. I think the admission was mid afternoon, but the op was actually late at night. I can't really remember anything of the evening.

I do remember everyone being really kind, but not super sympathetic. They portrayed it as a matter-of-fact, normal part of the childbearing years. I think this attitude was probably very helpful.

Next morning on the ward, waiting for the doc to do his rounds, he saw another woman going through the same before me. She was in her 40s with a planned pregancy, with presumably diminishing hope. I was in my 20s with a good future ahead. It put it into perspective.

Afterwards, I had quite a lot of bright red bleeding - nothing more than a period, though. It went on for a while, more on exertion.

I was pg again within 3 months, so never had to mourn the actual due date.

Now I have five children - all uneventful pregnancies.

NarkySparkly · 11/09/2008 20:56

Squeakypop - My mum told me today that she's sure the D&C 'helps' you to become more fertile. Not sure why she believes this but I hope I can get pregnant again quickly when I feel ready. It's great to hear stories from those who go on to have uneventful pregnancies after experiencing a miscarriage so thank you for you post.

OP posts:
thornrose · 11/09/2008 21:56

NarkySparkly, just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.
I too got the "phantom pregnancy" line from people, its very insensitive and upsetting. You were pregnant, there was a baby there and now its gone, it's a miscarriage and it's heartbreaking.
I went on to have a textbook pregnancy and have a lovely 8 yo dd, and you will get pregnant again when you're ready and you'll be fine!
Take care.

jellycat · 11/09/2008 23:20

Hi again. I too got pg again pretty quickly and had ds1 followed by another successful pg 3 years later.

My pains were pretty strong. I had never been through labour so didn't know what they were at first! I think they went on for about 12 hours IIRC.

thinking of you tonight.

cocolepew · 12/09/2008 08:46

Hope you're ok today.

NarkySparkly · 12/09/2008 08:49

Hi ladies,
Managed to eat something last night before the pain got too bad. I took some painkillers and had a hot water bottle and managed to fall aleep until 7am. Got up, passed some blood and a clot, had a bath and now back in bed. No pain at the moment but it comes and goes.
Thanks for thinking of me xx

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 12/09/2008 08:53

Carry on taking it easy and being kind to yourself. {{{}}}

cocolepew · 12/09/2008 08:53

Thinking of you today, take care x

NarkySparkly · 12/09/2008 15:37

Thanks ladies.
Not much happening at all. The doc has prescribed me some co-dydramol which seem to do the trick.

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venus1785 · 15/12/2008 22:46

Hi my name is venus. i have read your stories and have got some strength from it. i had a miscarriege at 4 weeks after IVF, and i am now pregnant for the second time as a result of IVF. I had my first scan at 5 weeks and was told i had either miscarried or had a chemical pregnancy as nothing could be seen from the scan. i went back a week later at 6 weeks, and was told that a sac could be seen, but it was too early to see a baby as they claimed the sac measured a 5week 4 days pregnancy. my dates were not off as i had IVF. another week later, at 7 weeks, i had a scan and was told by the doctor that all they could see was the sac and the yolk sac, but nothing else. which to me was good as it was a development from the last scan. they told me that this was not a good sign, and that this may be a failing pregnancy. i am very down and depressed as i thought that because there has been progress within the womb it was a good sign. i then went back for another scan at 7weeks, 5 days. they cant even see the yolk sac that the saw a few days ago! i have booked myself in for a D&C on wednesday, but my husband thinks i should wait another week, until i am 9 weeks to get another scan, and confirm it then. but it will kill me to wait another week!! i have had no pain or bleeding. has anyone ever had this and it turned out well? pls heip

aliwally · 16/12/2008 07:41

hi - I'm so sorry to read what you're going through. You're not alone here. About the rh neg comment, I'm also rh neg and have had an anti-d injection every time after an ERPC, so it's worth asking the question just to be absolutely certain. Ask your lovely neighbour who sounds like a great support. Or ring your local EPU who will certainly know. Take good care of yourself.

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