Please reassure me about my ERPC

[youremindmeofthebabe]

So, as expected, today's scan showed that the pregnancy had not progressed. As I have not miscarried naturally i was given the option for ERPC or medical, not allowed expectant, and i chose ERPC.

Which i am scared about. But not as scared as i would have been about medical. I have never had an operation before.

When i was coming out of the EPU, there was a lady being wheeled up from theatre, and she was screaming, and crying and totally distraught. Poor lady. Is the physical pain causing this, would you say, or do you think it would be her emotional pain causing this? What I am trying to say, in a roundabout kind of way, is am I going to experience lots of physical pain?

youremindmeofthebabe This is a very scary experience but with support you will get through it. Do you have people in RL who know about this and who are going to be around you?

I had an EPRC last year, I was terrified, even though I'd had a general anasthetic before. I was totally upset when I woke up, but didn't have much physical discomfort. I was in a ward with another woman who had the same procedure- she was quite religious and really didn't do anything to help me it just hits each woman differently.

I don't know how far along you are, but I was quite early, I think that to go through the miscarriage naturally would not have been helpful for me. I wouldn't think you'd experience much physical pain, but be prepared for a lot of bleeding in the first couple of days.

Good luck for the procedure and I wish you all the best for the future, make sure you bring someone supportive with you

I had mine on monday, I was the first done at around 9 and was walking out of there by 12...I was determined to get home as soon as I could. you just need to drink some water and tea, eat something and have a wee. I was worried the wee would hurt but actually it was fine. I was also really nervous, but its all in the build up and whats going on in your head, you are awake and its all done before you know it. I had some discomfort after and bleeding but its all slowed down now and its just like a light period with some period pains. I have painkillers too and I am not ready to stop taking them yet as its still uncomfortable.

I was teary when I came round but I think thats the realisation of what had happened and that it was all over.

Emotionally its pants but physically you will be ok...just need to rest ( as everyone keeps telling me) and try not to do to much.

I'm so so sorry to hear your loss....its such an awful thing to go through xx

So sorry youremindmeofthebabe

I was scared about the ERPC because I'd never had an operation under general anaesthetic before. It was fine though, you won't be wheeled in screaming or anything. This is how it went for me:

• I didn't eat anything after 6.30am or drink after 10.30am.
• I arrived at the hospital at 10.45am and they did another scan as I'd had a lot of bleeding so wanted to check if I still needed the ERPC (I did)
• I went to the day surgery ward and changed into a gown and disposable pants (can keep your shoes on) - they gave me a locker for my stuff
• Lots of waiting around, asked questions by a nurse about stuff, asked questions by the anaesthetist about stuff.
• They gave me two pessaries to insert which make your cervix open up a bit, it isn't too bad, I had period pain type cramps afterwards (not really really bad)
• When they were ready for me they called me through to a room, you get on a trolley and they give you the anasthetic in your hand and they stick monitor stuff on you (I was zonked out after about 10sec though)
• I woke up about 15mins later in the recovery room, lay there for about an hour dozing, then went to sit down and had tea and toast. After I had a wee I got a taxi home with DH.

Sorry that is really long but I thought it would take away the mystery!! It is not too painful, I actually felt less pain afterwards than I had done beforehand, and it was all managable with normal painkillers, like a bad period pain. A day later it was a lot better.

Really sorry you are going through this, when are you going to have it? Thinking of you xxx

So sorry you are going through this.

I had an ERPC in April after finding out I had had a MMC. I knew straight away that this was the route I would take as I had a natural miscarriage years ago, which was very very painful, and ended up having to have the op after anyway, as it hadn't all come away. Didn't want to go through that again.

The op itself is very straightforward - it only takes around 10 minutes. You have a needle in your hand & the next thing you know you are waking up being told it is all done.
I felt physically fine when I came round & pretty with it considering. I asked for my phone as soon as they wheeled me back to the ward & was texting people to tell them I had just come round!!
I had a cup of tea (first cup of tea I had enjoyed in a while as went right off it when pregnant) & a sausage roll, then was off home after around an hour, stopping off at Tescos with DP on the way!

I wasn't too emotional on that day actually. It was only two days after finding out about my MMC. I was very upset the day before, when I went to have my bloods taken etc, but on the day I was surprisingly calm.

Had a little bleeding & some spotting for around a week or so after, and some period type cramping at times, but nothing too bad.
The physical pain is minimal, it is the emotional side that is tough.

Best of luck. x

I got wheeled to theatre as they wouldn't let me stand up after having the pessaries.
Only affect I had from GA was an odd taste in the back of my throat, which lasted all evening.

Aah, thank you all so much, this is entirely what i was hoping for. A minute by minute report.

I will let you know how it goes, it's on Tuesday, so will have to make a concerted effort to enjoy my bank holiday. I am off to my mums for some tlc. (mental note not to attack her if she says anything unhelpful)

I am so sorry you've all had to go through this, but I thank you so much for sharing your experiences about it with me

Thanks from me too - mine is next Thursday and I have been signing forms today accepting the endless list of risks and agreeing to a blood transfusion if I need it. All very scary.

How long after do you think you can go back to work?

I would say you would be ok physically to go back to work after a few days (I was off on a 9 hour drive to the Alps less than 48 hours after mine!), but you may not be ready for it emotionally, so see how you feel.

Good luck for Tuesday, YRMOTB. It really isn't that bad at all.

I havent gone back to work yet, mine was on monday, physically I am still bleeding on and off and getting cramping pains from time to time and I am also feeling quite tired and cant seem to walk too fast...I guess its just my body adjusting and getting back to normal. Emotionally, I am just not ready to get back to work...I am aiming to get back next week.

So sorry for your loss.
Have had 2 MMCs, ERPC the first time, natural the 2nd (whilst on the ten day wait for ERPC).

Physically really fine; I was crying when I came round in recovery, have heard others say the same. Think it's the emotional release... or the drugs maybe...? But there was no physical pain for me. I felt really fine the next day.

Hello all - can't believe how many people are on these threads

Velvet I don't have experience of ERPC but please don't feel pressured into going back to work - even if your snotty DHT is bombarding you with emails.

I know time away from work can be time in limbo but don't put pressure on yourself to rush back.

I'm signed off for another couple of weeks and am hoping to put in an appearance then. Don't think that'll be too bad as the summer hols are almost upon us (and I guess if you're not a teacher and reading that you'll be thinking how lucky I am) To be honest I'm dreading the return in August - my job's been making me really depressed for too long but I convinced myself I could hang on till Mat Leave

Will be thinking of you on Thursday. My follow up app is tmrw - fingers crossed for the all clear

Best wishes to all xx

MummyMcKT I too am unhappy in my job and was delighted that I would only have to make it through to xmas Now I have missed the boat to leave even if I wanted to.

I had 3 yr 11 classes who have gone now so my timetable is pretty light. How do they view time off for this sort of thing? We have a lot of teachers off with stress atm and they are all frowned upon and gossipped about so I am worrying that more time off will look bad on me.

Hello all

Velvet It's easier to type this than actually feel it but I'm (trying to be) beyond caring what others think about me taking time for myself. It only hits me when I think that more and more job applications ask you to list your absences over the last two years - I'm sure it's against the law to discriminate against an application for that but it's all so cut throat these days. ANYWAY - there are no rules. You know why you're off and if you're anything like me you're doing it because you need to. Look after yourself. Am thinking of you.

Loopy Am sorry you and your DH had that experience. I am almost predicting the same thing - I'm still very aware of every sensation "down below" and am not feeling comfortable about anything else touching me there. Shit that MC takes so many things away from you. Am sure we'll get there though.

Have noticed that there's so many threads on this topic - am still reading most of them on a daily basis and for now think I'd contribute to future ones that I thought I could help someone with but I also kind of want to move on from the actual experience. All the antenatal threads are nice and neat ie Due blah blah and I was wondering if anyone was up for starting a "Due 2010 - moving on together" thread where we could all continue chatting? Obviously there's a better title out there somewhere! I know there's a ttc after mc thread and one here re testing testing but they seem quite established. There's a little part of me that would like to stick around with those who've experienced this at the same time as me (I really don't want to offend anyone and will happily join one of the threads I've mentioned if no-one else here wants to start a new one......)

Am still thinking of everyone. Love to all xx

that sounds like a great idea MummyMcKT, lets try it and see xx

I am worrying about being intimate again, I think i want to but am worried about how i will feel after...think I am going to hold off for a while.

How are you doing today velvet?? xx

I would join a thread with you too MummyMcKT. Also it is definately law that any pregnancy related absences cannot be counted towards your general absences. I assume MC would be covered by this too.

Fordypops - I have actually had a good day today. Saw my sister-in-law and although she is only 19 she was great. She asked how I was and said that I didnt have to talk about it but I managed to tell her everything without any tears. I saw your other post - sorry to hear things are taking longer than expected.

Just waiting for ERPC and am now and again drifting into when would be a good time to try again (even though this one was unplanned).

I haven't had any intimacy problems yet - not sure how I will respond after the ERPC though.

I am sooooo glad you are here

I veer between feeling brave and fancying a bit of nookie and then shitting it at the thought of getting a positive pregnancy test again and having to deal with all the possibilities that will bring.

Have spent a lot of time this week-end with my niece and nephew - love them to bits - feels very sad that they won't be playing with new cousins at crimbo

Agree a new thread is def a goer - just have to think of a title that will provide us all with our safe haven.

Fordy Am sorry you're not feeling so good physically. It's a road with lots of twists and turns we're on. I didn't have the ERPC but my bleeding stopped Tues (my bday - so i guess someone somewhere still likes me!) for three days then started again yest and has continued today - not very heavy though but still wearing pads (yuk)

Velvet Read on another thread that you're thinking of taking the week off after Thurs -Am glad you're being a bit kinder to yourself.

Will try and think of a new thread title - any ideas welcome.

Am TOY all xx

Am thinking of you - YRMOTB and hope everything went as well as it could for you today.

Velvet I hope you're still trying to look after yourself. Am thinking of you for Thursday - the wait must be horrible

Am starting that new thread - can't think of a snappy title but going for it anyway seen as it's the first day of a new month....

Thinking of you all x

Hi mummyMcKT.

Thanks for the thoughts, everything went well, in fact i think it was the most positive that the experience could ever be. The nurses were all very kind, and it was really fine.

velvet it honestly wasn't that bad. I was a bit scared for the general, but even that was fine, just like a funny tingling, and then I can't remember anything. And now I just feel like i've got period pain, nothing more sinister. And the closure feels better.

Have only just seen this thread. Glad you are ok after your erpc - well physically at least. The emotional healing will take time of course. I have had both expectant management and erpcs and much preferred the latter. No complications either time and easier to try and move on with life iyswim. Sex after m/c can be very difficult (emotionally) as Loopy said, but if you and dp talk through your feelings post m/c it will help to keep you close.

Glad all went well for you, YRMOTB. I felt physically fine after mine too. Had a little cramping on & off for a week or so & some light bleeding, but physical recovery was not too bad. Expect emotions to be a little all over the place for a while though.

I didn't have problems with sex after ERPC. Was a little worried it may hurt, but we were gentle & it was fine. We are using contraception atm though, so I didn't have the pregnancy worry.

Hope you are being looked after.