Misoprostol - wait til after Christmas for medical management?

[deliwoman1]

I'm likely to be given misoprostol on Friday due to a blighted ovum. Does anyone have any experience of this? How long does the process take? Not my first miscarriage but my first time taking the medical management route.

I'm very early at 7+4 by LMP today and measuring behind with only a gestational sac. I've heard medical management can be a bit brutal, so would appreciate any advice as to whether to hold off until after Christmas?

Or, would you recommend a D&C instead. I'm slightly worried about adhesions with that route as have had one D&C, a c-sec, and a pelvic infection before now.

So sorry you're going through this. No experience of a blighted ovum myself, but have had 2 lots of surgical management and no issues (just in case that helps with reassurance if you want to go down that route).

Sorry for your loss, I won't sugar coat anything but everyone's experience will be different. I had an MMC in may, baby passed a few days afsfter I found out but I still had lots of tissue left so had medical management... I went straight home, got out of the car and as soon as I got in my front door the flood gates opened... I was wearing 2 pads, underwear, leggings, and it came pouring through it was like water and I couldn't stop it so was quite a mess.

That being said, they told me it was because I was already bleeding that it had such a bad effect.

If I was in the same position again... Which I hope I never am, I would still use medical management but I'd be more prepared for what was about to happen. I wouldn't use surgical for fear of scarring etc.

I just wish someone had told me how bad it COULD be taking medical management. Hope all goes as well as it can for you I'm sorry it's happening to you and at this time of year. Sending thoughts your way

Hey Hun, I had a mmc in January at 14 weeks baby measured 11 weeks.
I began miscarrying naturally but had a few clots left to pass so they gave me some misprosotol... I think 4 oral tablets but it's a bit of a blur.
Anyway it felt like a mild labour, waves of pain and passing blood and clots for a few hours. It was quite heavy but stopped after a few hours. I still managed to look after my son (he was 4 at the time so not as demanding as a baby).

I'd honestly recommend having a D&C. I had a pretty awful experience with two lots of medical management that failed, I had to have an emergency D&C ultimately.

Sorry for your loss. I’ve taken it twice (once orally and once vaginally for 2 different miscarriages) and it started to work in a few hours. The contractions and clots meant I spent most of that day in the bathroom (midwife advice was to take it early so by evening it had calmed down). I found that after several hours bleeding slowed drastically but often found random huge clots or gushes of blood at random points of that cycle and even following cycles! I chose medical management as I have a history of recurrent losses (4) and it seems to be the less invasive route. The first few hours after the pills are gruelling physically and mentally - I was told my baby wouldn’t be too formed but it was and then I never thought about what to do when it fell into the toilet so that’s something to consider

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve had a natural miscarriage, and following that experience I wouldn’t personally wait for another. I opted for medical management after that and I’ve managed 3 miscarriages that way. I’ve always taken it orally.

It was brutal for about 40 minutes - from when the cramping started until I passed the pregnancy. One of the miscarriages needed a second dose - possibly because I’d been incorrectly advised to take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol. The last one was the most efficient - rather than taking all 4 pills on the same day I took 2 in hospital and was sent home to take the other 2 I think it was between 24 and 36 hours later. I managed to sleep through the worst of that one and it was all over within 4 hours of taking the last 2 tablets. I was also able to look after my almost 3 year old.

My second loss was over Christmas. I found out on December 20th and they couldn’t book me in until the 27th, unless I wanted an MVA which I knew I didn’t. I spent that week very anxious. I didn’t dare go anywhere because my natural miscarriage had been sudden, gory, and quite scary, even though we were expecting it. i was convinced it was going to happen at Christmas dinner and I’d be trying to deal with it surrounded by family (it didn’t of course but it was still a worry). I really recommend getting it out of the way this side of Christmas if you can. It doesn’t make it any easier, but I would have preferred to have a line drawn under it rather than be waiting with that unpredictable timing like that while everyone else was celebrating. Thinking of you x

I always recommend a D&C. Medical management is too hit or miss and it prolongs the terrible experience of miscarrying.

I am very sorry for your loss. I had a miscarriage in the Spring at 9 weeks and decided to take misoprostol. The experience can be different from woman to woman but in my case it was very painful but to be fair, it may not have been so much had I taken the prescribed painkillers on time.. I ended up in A&E due to the pain and nearly fainting but all they needed to do was giving me a strong dose of paracetamol. Despite that I don't regret going that route however in your case I might wait after Christmas.
I went against D&C as I was too focused on the potential damage to my uterus.

Thank you, everyone. I have to make the decision tomorrow morning so I'm very grateful for your advice. I am so sorry all of you had to go through such a horrible time too. x

Just to update for anyone reading, I opted for a D&C, which is scheduled for 27th. Means I have to go in briefly on Boxing Day for blood work/prep, which is hardly festive but I’m glad I don’t have to wait longer.

Nurse said that this type of miscarriage (blighted ovum/anembryonic) can mean medical management is unsuccessful. I haven’t bled so she didn’t recommend it. Also because I had a c-section only 18 months ago she wouldn’t suggest the drugs because there’s a small risk of the contractions causing my scar to split 😖 She was helpful and her advice swayed me. Never easy to choose between two shit options when you don’t want either.

Will be glad when we can move on and try again.

I hope it goes well and you can try again soon. Take care and enjoy your Christmas Day. Be kind to yourself.