Post miscarriage surgery but what if it happens before?

[Worriednottheword]

I found out yesterday that baby doesn’t have a heartbeat and stopped growing at 9 weeks. Am due to go into hospital on Friday to have the surgical treatment to ‘remove the tissue’ but have just started feeling some sort of popping sensations and losing fluid and blood (enough to fill a pad before I get to the toilet) and am not sure what to do. Do I just wait? How much blood can I lose before it’s dangerous? Do I just monitor for a high temperature? I am terrified of passing the little foetus at home, I just don’t know if I can cope with it and the thought of it going down the toilet… I was told at the EPU yesterday that ‘letting nature take its course’ is an option, but if I’ve opted for the surgery I’m not sure what to do if the miscarriage ‘completes’ before I go in. Sorry if this is jumbled, I feel sick.

No answer from EPU, MW straight to voicemail and waiting for a call back from the GP btw

Oh gosh, so sorry you're going through this! I've had two in the past year and it totally sucks! I wish I could remember the exact guidance I was given, but I think it was something like if you fill two pads in an hour for more than two hours then get back in touch. I would call them and ask to be sure!

Thanks @GinnyBee. I’m so sorry you’ve been through this twice in such quick succession 😔. I hope the GP calls me back soon 😭

I had surgery on both my miscarriages, one in September this year and one last week. I was told if I filled a pad in an hour, the pain was too much or I was worried I was to call EPU or if I couldn't get through to them, maternity triage. They would much rather you call and it not be anything to worry about than you not call. Every professional I've met during my miscarriages has been so caring and understanding - you're never bothering them to check so please do if you're worried.

I also asked what to do incase it happened before the surgery. I was told to still come in but to let them know and they may scan me before. As it happens I seem to have had a very strange experience where by I literally miscarried the pregnancy on the table as they prepped me.

Again, they'd rather check and put your mind at ease than have you worrying.

Finally I'm so sorry this is happening to you, it's utterly rubbish and so lonely and sometimes scary. You're not alone if you don't want to be - there's so many wonderful people here who will offer support and so many at EPU who will too. Also remember, sadly, you no longer need to watch what you are doing with painkillers so take what you need and when, obvs keeping within the dose instructions.

Hi op, I'm sorry this is happening to you. I opted to just wait for the miscarriage to complete when I was in a similar situation. It was a few years ago and the advice as I recall was that bleeding would be like a period, but it was much heavier than that for me. I didn't feel worried though, so can't have been terribly heavy. I think I had a couple of days of heavy-ish bleeding then some cramping (manageable with hot water bottle and paracetamol), then passed the embryonic sack in the toilet when I went for a wee. I had a trans vaginal ultrasound to check everything was out. It was ok. Take care

@Mwnci123 if you don’t mind me asking, how did you know you had passed the embryonic sac? There’s been so much red blood in the toilet I haven’t been able to see anything, but I have felt lumps come out which I assume are just clots at the moment?

Hi @Worriednottheword, I had a medically managed MMC last month (baby was measuring 8 weeks with no heartbeat). I found I had heavy cramping which stopped the moment I passed the sac.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this

I’m at A&E now because my bleeding is bad, soaked all the way through a normal sanitary towel, knickers and trousers over the course of about half an hour. Was standing in A&E in hysterics with my jacket tied round my waist to hide the blood and they triaged me straight away, now waiting for the gynae people to see me. On my own because we’ve got a toddler and no family nearby to have her. We were a week away from telling people and now all that happiness and excitement has changed to this :(

Oh that’s so awful @Worriednottheword, sending you so much love right now

Please feel free to send me a private message if you need someone to talk to. It’s such an awful experience to go through but you will get through this.

@BlueForYou3 thank you so much

I had an exam and some stuff taken out (clots or tissue, not sure) to control the bleeding, was told it’s probably not all out so they gave me the tablets at 11pm last night to speed things along. Blood has slowed but no tissue seems to have passed, and I haven’t seen a doctor or anyone who knows what’s happening next for hours and hours. I feel completely invisible and like no one cares about me at all. The night shift nurse was checking my bleeding and my obs and stuff, but since the day people came in I’ve been left to my own devices. When I ask what’s going on I get told a doctor will come to see me ‘soon’- told me first that it would be between half 8 and 9 and I am still waiting. I feel very let down :(

So sorry you are going through this @Worriednottheword I am sending a big hug your way.

I had an overnight stay at the hospital with bleeding, they didn't know if I was going to have a miscarriage or something else. I found I was left alone all of the night bar my BP being checked and the morning it took forever for a doctor to pop round. They are super busy with everyone but it does make you feel isolated and alone

You will be seen and if you really need assistance, press that buzzer and a midwife will come your way. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

What ward are you on? Do you have your own room? xx

@Worriednottheword I’m so sorry you’re having such a terrible experience After my EPU scan to confirm the MMC I waited in a room with DH for hours till I was able to see a Doctor. I have to say all the staff were extremely lovely and sensitive to the situation. I think they’re just stretched so thin and unfortunately I was part of a long list of patients that needed to be seen.

I hope someone comes to see you soon

Yes I do have my own room to be fair but no idea what kind of ward it is, there are a lot of older ladies but I saw a pregnancy loss noticeboard on the way in and it’s the same ward I was scheduled to be on to have the surgical evacuation. I know they’re really busy, I keep trying to tell myself that what’s happening to me isn’t life threatening, horrible as it is. I just can’t get over how desensitized everyone seems to be, I know miscarriages are common but aren’t they traumatic for most people?

How are you @Worriednottheword?

Thanks for checking in @babyboybluex! I finally got sent for a scan and they found that the tissue was actually all out (must have passed some at home and then they got some out during two speculum exams), just blood and clots left which they’re happy for me to pass in due course. So got discharged at about 2:30pm. So happy to be home!

Hope you're keeping well @Worriednottheword ❤️