Abnormal early scan / MMC advice pls

[AnnieStar12]

I had a 7 week scan last Friday and it was measuring 5/6 weeks no heartbeat. I know my dates exactly as I had IUI so there's no chance I'm 7+days out. The EPU said this isn't enough to confirm miscarriage until they scan me again this Friday. I guess there's no hope, but has anyone had any miracle stories after no heartbeat / fetal pole at 7 weeks? I feel nothing so far - no cramps or bleeding and pregnancy test still very strong so my body definitely still thinks its pregnant.

I know the odds are bad so am preparing for the worst, and looking up options as I want to be ready for next steps when the miscarriage is confirmed. Really unsure whether to opt for the pills or surgical option. What have people's experiences been with both? I just want it over with asap so willing to do whatever is quickest. All advice appreciated!

Hi @AnnieStar12 . I had a MMC a few weeks ago which resulted in surgery. I had two private early scans - the second scan showed a heartbeat which wasn’t very strong and then inevitably the nhs 12 was a confirmation of the worst. The dates at the early scans were always wrong even though I was told ovulation could have happened later I knew deep down when we had conceived. I also had brown bleeding three weeks in a row. As my third pregnancy, I knew what felt right and this never did. My body thought I was pregnant until 15 weeks, and the baby was still there until the morning of the surgery. I opted for surgery as I was bleeding for a couple of weeks quite badly and cervix was still closed so quite traumatic. I don’t want to be negative and really hope for the best for you but as you’re early another scan could show all is well x

@Rio93 thanks so much for sharing. I'm so sorry you have experienced this.

Can I ask, did you have full general anaesthetic for the procedure? Or were you sedated / under local? And what was the physical recovery like afterwards?

@AnnieStar12 thank you. I’m sorry for you to - it’s the unknown and waiting that I found the hardest. You have a general anaesthetic for the surgery and the whole surgery takes about 20 mins so I was awake after about 40. Went in at 7am and left by 12. Physically I was bleeding for about 10 days with one heavy clotted bleed on the third day. I just felt more comfortable being around doctors and nurses rather than doing it at home x

I've had 4 mmc. 3 I had surgery for and all of those I had retained products. The 4th I opted for the tablets and it all passed quickly the next day the cramping wasn't too bad. I think it really is a bit 50/50 some people react well to the tablets and it all passes other people still have retained products with tablets. If I was to have another loss I would def go for the tablets first. I hope you don't have to make the decision and there's a little bean in there at next scan. I've been where you are the waiting is really crappy. I've read lots of stories online and some are good and some are not so good there's nothing to do but wait and see when it's this early

I had a mmc a couple of years ago, first pregnancy. Showed up to my 12 week scan and unfortunately the pregnancy only measure about 8 weeks with no HB. It was a shock.

I opted for medical management but after two goes at this it just wasn’t going to work for me. I ended up with surgical management a couple of days later, which was completely fine. It was under general, but was only under for about an hour and the recovery was just like a heavy period. No pain or anything to worry about. I wish I’d just gone with surgical to start with!

I’ll have all my fingers crossed that things work out well for this pregnancy, but just want to say that if it doesn’t, that doesn’t mean things won’t work out in the future. I went on to have two textbook pregnancies and births afterwards.

@Dancingamaryllis hey. May I ask how long it took to conceive after the surgery? I’m three weeks post surgery and keen to start again. I was also told at EPU there’s no reason you can’t have successful pregnancies so good to hear positive stories after such a horrible thing x

Hi @Rio93 I only had two periods (so I guess two cycles) before we conceived our first son :) it seemed like an eternity but looking back it happened very quickly!

The pregnancy was completely fine and he’s perfect.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. It really does seem that pills work better for some and surgery better for others, but it sounds like a gamble which one will work best for me. I really just want it over with. Waiting for this next scan on Friday feels like an eternity!

I'm focused on trying again as soon as this is all over, but not counting on it happening soon as this pregnancy took us 9 months! Dreading starting all over again.

I've had 3 MMC and went for the surgery first time and the tablets second two.

Much preferred the tablets as you can do it all at home. Bled quite heavily but not too much pain.

Would definitely do tablets if I had to have another

Fingers crossed for you OP