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Original poster

Advice needed from those who had a d&c after a mmc

27 replies

Anon0707 · 03/12/2021 20:50

Hi I am just looking for some advice.
I have had another mmc, this time at 8 weeks
Last time I decided to watch and wait to no avail. I then had the pessary and it took an excruciating 5 days to fully pass the baby.
This time I want to opt for a d&c, I just can’t do the medical management again. I ended up on antidepressants the last time due to the grief and trauma.
My questions are. If you’ve had a d&c before would you have it again if necessary? (ie another mmc) has anyone had both procedures and favoured one over the other? I’m on my own now, I can get someone to watch my ds but will they allow me to leave in a taxi after the procedure?
I have to go for a scan on Monday to confirm the loss so I just want to be prepared. Work have given me a week off so I’m hoping everything will be sorted by the time I’m due to return for this reason, I can’t risk taking the route of nature taking its course as that didn’t work for me last time.
Thankyou in advance

OP posts:
plixy · 03/12/2021 20:55

I have had three mmc and opted for surgery each time. I couldn't bear the uncertainty of waiting/medical.
The procedure was very easy. It took longer to recover from the anaesthetic than anything, but I felt fine within 48 hours.
Mild cramping and bleeding for a week or so.
I was allowed home by lunch twice, and mid afternoon the other as I had lost more blood than expected.
I wasn't allowed to leave on my own, and had to be with someone for 24 hours because of the anaesthetic. You would probably have to stay if you don't have an adult to watch you for 24 hours.

EmJay19 · 03/12/2021 20:58

So sorry to hear about your loss 💐

I had a mmc and had the tablets twice and would say it was at least as bad as the labour with my son (who. I later had) but still didn’t pass it all.

Not sure what it was called but I had the procedure where you’re awake, think different as the d&c is where your asleep? I opted for it as was warned d&c more likely to cause scar tissue and was already having a difficult time with infertility.

I’d never go for the tablets now I have child and would go same thing again.

Hope all goes well for you and you get it over with soon. Xxx

Elnetthairnet · 03/12/2021 20:59

I had a D&C after a failed medical management. It was absolutely fine, and I recovered very quickly. Far far more pleasant than the medical alternative.

curlymacv · 03/12/2021 21:01

Hello, I've only ever had one pregnancy (a mmc) so can't compare the two but I opted for a d&c. I'd probably do it again if ever need to, physically it was a breeze. I took some painkillers after and didn't even have cramps or anything like that, though a day or so later I went to the loo (tmi sorry) where a bit of tissue came out of me and sorta freaked me out. I turned up to the hospital for it on my own, had the op a few hours later, and had to stay a few hours after (for monitoring I think). I'm not sure about leaving in a taxi, the hospital was pretty insistent on someone picking me up, but could probably make an exception if you're not driving. Sorry for your loss and hope all goes well for you Flowers

toadstool32 · 03/12/2021 21:04

I've had an erpc (new name for d&c). I arrived at 12, went down at 1, home by 6. That was literally a year ago today in fact Sad but I'm currently 27 weeks with a very wriggly little one. Stay strong.

Cityzen74 · 03/12/2021 21:05

I am sorry for your losses Flowers.

I had a d&c when I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks 3 days (I had no choice as they thought I had a molar pregnancy - I didn’t in the end). Physically I recovered very quickly - didn’t bleed much and didn’t have any physical pain. It was very quick so could go home the same day. I did have someone to come and get me but I have heard of people going home in taxis after general anaesthetics. Not sure if this is always possible though.

Sending you best wishes at this hard time. Take care of yourself as best you can

EmJay19 · 03/12/2021 21:05

Think what I had is called an MVA

gallbladderpains · 03/12/2021 21:12

Sorry for your loss. I wouldn't hesitate to do a repeat D&C.

Wowcherarestalkingme · 03/12/2021 21:13

I’ve had both but the d&c was only for the placenta as baby had passed already. I asked for a d&c with my second Mmc but I couldn’t have one as I was too far along. Had to take the medication and frankly, it was one of the hardest experiences I have had. Not just the emotional side but the physical pain, and I have given birth to two babies. I’m sorry for your losses. I would choose the d&c every time if I could.

Original poster
Anon0707 · 03/12/2021 21:17

Thankyou all ❤️
@EmJay19 I was offered that the last time however she told me that it was very painful and that I would possibly pass out as a lot of women do.
Literally I had just been told my baby didn’t have a heartbeat the next I was sat outside with pregnant women sobbing my eyes up and then to be told that I just couldn’t take anymore and I told her I just wanted to go home So she didn’t elaborate on the actual procedure
Would you mind explaining it to me if it’s not too hard for you. If it is I completely understand xx

OP posts:
EmJay19 · 03/12/2021 21:20

Honestly compared to the emotional distress and pain of the tablets it was nothing. Not much worse than a smear if I remember rightly. But takes longer so the same sort of pain for a few minutes instead of a few moments if you see what I mean. No one said anything like that to me and I didn’t think it was a huge deal. Xx

EmJay19 · 03/12/2021 21:22

I hate those early pregnancy units so much. They must be numb to it all but they can be so harsh. So sorry for you

Original poster
Anon0707 · 03/12/2021 22:14

I agree they seem to see grieving parents as just another number, another failed pregnancy statistic. Thankfully when I had the pessary a couple of weeks later I saw a different midwife. I was sobbing and she was so lovely, actually genuine sadness for me. She even asked my community midwife to contact me the day after to try and set up some counselling and to see how I was
Drastically different to the first one I saw.
In my opinion I should have been told to wait in another room afterwards on my own instead of in the waiting room.
My private scan today they had a waiting room with 2 other couples waiting outside and while they were typing up my report they wouldn’t let me leave the room because they didn’t want me to get upset seeing the pregnant ladies outside. They refused to take payment too. Stark difference to the experience I had in EPAU xx

OP posts:
ChinChilly · 03/12/2021 23:17

Hi OP @Anon0707 I also had an MVA in July under local anesthetic, I was offered both local or general anesthetic. The local swung it for me as they told me I would be in and out in an hour or so and I was. You also don't need have someone with you to go home although they don't like you driving straight afterwards just incase.

I read so many horror stories before hand and it really wasn't that bad. The worst bit was having the anesthetic injected into the cervix but that wasn't painful just uncomfortable. The whole thing took about 10-15 mins and i would say the pain was minimal (they do give you gas and air) I was up and walking around 5 mins after the procedure.

I would say the worst part about it all was having my legs up in the air with the worlds brightest light pointed directly at my vag, it's definitely leave your dignity at the door kinda thing.

I'm pregnant again and if i was to have another mmc I would chose that option again.

Obviously every EPU is different but the staff where I was were genuinely really caring, the waiting room example you gave they put me in a separate room the entire time i was waiting around before and after. That probably made the experience alot easier.

It's a really shitty thing and I'm so sorry you're going through it...feel free to ask any questions.

User2638483 · 03/12/2021 23:24

I had it and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.
I’ve also had natural mc and found the surgical management much easier to deal with.
Flowers for you Flowers

TreborBore · 03/12/2021 23:34

Sorry you are going through this. I had medical management with a general anesthetic and it was a really sad time and I was anxious about having it done, but the staff were lovely and reassuring. I recovered quickly and my periods seemed better somehow afterwards.

Original poster
Anon0707 · 04/12/2021 00:19

I’m so sorry for everyone’s losses. MC is so cruel.
Today at my scan she said that the sac looked fine, it hadn’t begun to lose its shape and baby was also clearly visible etc so a natural miscarriage was very unlikely. The last hour or so I have started to feel really uncomfortable with low period type pain and pain going into my thighs so although she said it’s highly unlikely I’m hoping that this might be the start of something. I can’t imagine it is because they are the experts but I will keep you updated xx

OP posts:
Em39ma · 04/12/2021 08:46

I had mmc during the first lockdown, they couldn’t do it under a general as they weren’t allowed due to covid. I had it done using local anaesthetic and I can honestly say it’s wasn’t that bad, a little pinching etc but know real pain. I recovered a lot quicker from that than I did from my one they let natural take it’s course. With that one I ended up in A&E because I was in so much pain etc. I would choose D&C again in a heartbeat.
Hope you are ok.

Original poster
Anon0707 · 04/12/2021 11:47

@Em39ma this is what I’m now wondering, will they even offer me a general anaesthetic because of covid.
I think I’ve got my head around a d&c so I’m worried now they’ll say no xx

OP posts:
MojoJojo71 · 04/12/2021 11:58

I had an ERPC and would definitely do it again if faced with the choice. I’ve never had medical management but I’m a midwife and have cared for women having it and I just knew I couldn’t do it so insisted on surgical management.

Sorry for your loss OP. Hope everything works out ok whatever you decide Flowers

Greybeardy · 04/12/2021 12:16

[quote Anon0707]@Em39ma this is what I’m now wondering, will they even offer me a general anaesthetic because of covid.
I think I’ve got my head around a d&c so I’m worried now they’ll say no xx[/quote]
It’s a procedure that can be done either with local/GA/spinal anaesthetic. Most places are doing everything they normally would with GA now so it shouldn’t be a problem if that’s what you need.

Em39ma · 04/12/2021 12:28

Mine was July last year during the lockdown. Not sure if they are back to doing them by GA. I wouldn’t let it being under local stop you, I promise it wasn’t that bad, I just had know choice. It was that or medical management which I didn’t want. I’m now 37 weeks pregnant and have been told that apart from only one birth partner everything else is pretty much back to normal.

ButtercupBlue · 04/12/2021 12:54

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I've had 6 miscarriages - 5 of those have been MMC.

I've had 2 x d&c, 2 x medical management and 1 MVA (the local anaesthetic option.)

I can only share my own personal experience which is that given the choice I would opt to have the surgery under general anaesthetic or if not available, the medical management.

My MVA was very traumatic and I was very underprepared for how bad it would be or the impact it would have. So I don't say that to scare you but to balance out. I know lots of women find it bearable but I equally know others like me who wish they'd never had it & of course there's no way of knowing beforehand how you'll feel. I only went ahead with it because of Covid my hospital wasn't offering d&c's and said if I had the medical management I'd need to be at home and I didn't want to go through that with my 2 older children there.

Both my d&c's were very straightforward. I went into hospital with my partner in the morning and was home early evening in both cases. I did have to have someone with me though when leaving the hospital because of the GA. Physically I recovered well with minimal cramping / spotting after and my period 5 weeks later.

Not sure if that's helped at all but good luck whatever you decide. All the choices are rubbish really so it's just a case of which you think you can handle more.

Mellous · 04/12/2021 12:59

I had a erpc (same as d&c) in January this year with anaesthetic and that was in lockdown, so hopefully your hospital is still offering it.

I’m so sorry for your loss. If I were to be in the same situation again I would 100% always go for surgical. No pain, recovered easily (physically!) and it was over with so much quicker. I did bleed for a week or so after but it was just like a light period, no traumatising passing of tissue etc.

FMSucks · 04/12/2021 13:00

Hi OP. Firstly I’m so sorry to hear you are going through this.

I went for a D&C after two failed attempts with the tablets. I was in an awful emotional state after the tablets. The D&C was done under general and I was let out the same day. I wish I had just gone down that route from the start tbh.

Sending you a big hug and be gentle with yourself x