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Original poster

ERPC - what were you told about the risks?

13 replies

silvermum · 14/11/2008 17:10

I'm booked in for an ERPC next Friday for a mmc. The gynae i saw said there was a risk of about 1/500 that the procedure could damage my future fertility. has anyone heard this before? i understand the main risk is infection, but he seemed to be saying it was possible they could blunder with the procedure and perforate the womb. . it was nothing particular about my case - he just rattled that off as a general risk.

OP posts:
whoops · 14/11/2008 17:12

I can't remember the fertility bit but do remember being told the rest
Sorry you are going through this
look after yourself x

rubles · 15/11/2008 08:17

I think I remember something about the womb perforation, but it is a vague memory. Maybe I was told it in a different way so it made less of an impact on me? I think maybe it was presented as being a risk but one that virtually never happens.
Maybe this sort of info should be written down so we can digest it in a calmer frame of mind rather than when we are reeling from the shock of a miscarriage in the epu.

Habbibu · 15/11/2008 08:33

I was told that in the case of a rupture, they would go on to do keyhole surgery via the navel to repair it, but that that is very very rare.

I had 2 earlier this year as I had a molar pregnancy. They were absolutely fine - much less stressful than I'd imagined, and the GA was fine, as I was under for such a short time. I hope all goes well for you, and am sorry for your loss.

Jackaroo · 15/11/2008 09:00

I honestly don't remember being told any of that, but I'm sure i was as they were extremely thorough...... and I would have to have signed something I suppose...

It was a complete blessing. I'd been in amazing pain for days but nothing happening, and it was all over so fast. I'm sure it made the process easier to deal with in the end, esp. as they dose you up before you wake up. I barely had any bleeding or anything else afterwards. Maybe others find "the process" helpful, but for me, I was glad it was over and done with.

Very sorry, will be thinking of you.

J

PS Sorry, just seen that you didn't ask for any of that info. HIH anyway....

TheBlonde · 15/11/2008 09:10

Yes I was told of the risk of womb perforation
Other risk is that they won't get everything out and you'll have to have a 2nd procedure

Glimmer · 16/11/2008 04:38

Hi Silvermum, I am very sorry for your loss. A mmc is especially shocking, since one had had no warning.... To answer your question: I was told that there is a 5/100 risk of incomplete ERPC (tissues left), and 1 1/10000 of cervical damage. I was also told about uterine perforation, but can't remember the risk ratio. They tend to be very careful, hence the 5/100 risk of incompleteness. The womb get less soft as the hormone levels drop. I had an incomplete ERPC and a cervical damage in the subsequent ERPC. I think the ratios are somewhat arbitrary and depend mostly on the skill of the surgeon. Ask about his experiece. I would do a HPT after the surgery to monitor that your hormone levels are dropping.

All the best.

bhbhbh · 12/04/2009 00:35

The chances of developing ashermans syndrome can be as high as 28% any body having an ERPC or D&C, needs to look this up in more detail. It is one of the most under diagnosed causes of infertility!!!

EldonAve · 12/04/2009 10:53

bhbhbh - I think you need to provide some research to back up your 28% claim

DesperateEm · 15/05/2009 19:40

I had a MMC in February, and have found out this morning that I have had my second in 3 months. Last time I bled a lot up to the point the scan said that the heartbeat had stopped... and then NOTHING for 12 days, and then 3 weeks of bleeding, and considerable pain. I opted for the natural way of miscarrying, and I said "never again". This time I have asked for ERPC, but they have no appointments for 12 days. I don't know what to do. I feel like if I have to go through the same again as before, I might go slightly mad. I want this over with. Having read the comments on ERPC, I am now worried about having it and reconsidering whether I go through the awful alternative of waiting for my body to recognise I am no longer pregnant. I hate my body at the moment! I don't want to be off work any more - I was off 2 weeks last time. What is this Ashermans Syndrome that's mentioned??
Can I get ERPC done privately, and if so where in central London can I get it done??
Thanks.

castlesintheair · 15/05/2009 19:44

A friend of mine is now having to undergo surgery following an ERPC in November as her ovary has been damaged. I had 4 missed m/c and I 'managed' them all naturally. Is this an option for you?

EldonAve · 15/05/2009 23:30

DesperateEm - sorry to hear of your loss

I had my 2nd done privately at London Bridge Hospital, luckily our Bupa paid for it
www.londonbridgehospital.com/
I saw Miss Amina Shafik and had the op done the same day

MrsFooty · 16/05/2009 00:16

Yes, they mentioned the womb perforation, but said if it happened it would be repaired and that it would be a longer recovery time.

That's all I remember although I have to confess most of what they said is a blur of what me & dh cobbled together from our memories, it's a amazing how little you take in when listening intently after the shock of being told your pregnancy is over!

P

pecanpie · 16/05/2009 23:29

DesperateEm - You can get an ERPC done privately and it's covered by private medical insurance. See Mr Craig Leitch at the Portland - he's on the board there(google Babyinc). He's great. I saw him after my first mmc and he sorted me out second time round when the NHS did an incomplete ERPC. He was very thorough. I wasn't keen to have a third procedure and he helped by trying everything else before putting me through it again.
Good luck.

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