So upset, possible failed surgical abortion

[Sunshineworshipper]

I had a surgical termination just over 4 weeks ago. I already have other health problems including interstitial cystitis and inflammation of the bowel, amongst other things. We wanted the baby but was just really bad timing. I am living with the grief and guilt. Docs said I wasn't a candidate for medical due to my health and would need a surgical.
Had surgical at 9 weeks. They were VERY pushy about contraception (which I can understand as I cost them £). I didn't want anything as they never agree with me, mirena had rotated and strings went missing causing very painful removal. Implant affected moods etc.
I wasn't getting out of long term contraception so I agreed to copper iud.

I ended up getting kept in after the surgery as I had tachycardia for 8 hours and white cell count went high. Very scary.
Ended up back in a few days later with a bad uti/kidney infec. Got an ultrasound and the guy said he wasn't a gynae and didn't know how a uterus was supposed to look after a termination (no joke).

I got out with antibiotics then the past 3 weeks I've had severe cramps like labour pains. Black blood, and not feeling right. I took a test last night and it was positive.we haven't had sex in 5 weeks, not since the termination. Phoned hospital and they told me to come in asap. They tested and it was positive so I now need to go for a scan tomorrow to look for possible remnants/retained products of conception. The doc said it was likely since it's been over 4 weeks and was a surgical.

I told the doc I wanted the coil out ASAP as I felt my body has reacted bad to it with the cramps etc, also severe anxiety since it was put in. She was very resistant and kept saying but you're best protected etc, my partner was shocked at yet again how pushy they are. I broke down and basically said get this effing thing out of me now, this pain isn't right. She was saying oh wait for your scan etc. Anyway, when she went and had a look she was like "oh". It was DISPLACED and was sitting in my cervix. Hence the agony, near fainting, anxiety etc. It wouldn't have even protected me anyway. I thought, I KNEW something wasn't right.

Has anyone else been through this after a surgical and what happened? I just feel so low and guilty at the thought of it all. It's been very traumatic.

P.s. Sorry it's a long post

I had all of this (minus the coil issues) when I had a medical termination.

It was horrific and really got me down, I just knew that something didn't feel right. I promise you once you've had the scan and they diagnose retained products (I'm not an expert but this what I had and your symptoms do sound the same as mine) and remove via surgical you will feel so much better.

Sorry that you are still suffering. Take care and be kind, it's not an easy thing to go through as it is but this is bound to get you down.

@luckyme30 thank you so much. For responding to both my posts . Oh no, did you have the bad cramps etc? I don't have a high temp. At what point weeks wise did you get the news, and was your test positive?
It's just like the ordeal isn't ending.

Thanks so much for your help. X

It’s your body and your decision. Demand the coil is removed at the point they investigate properly for the failed surgical abortion. I appreciate you’ve “cost them money” but having an abortion shouldnt mean you’re bullied or forced into a contraception option which doesn’t work for you. I hope you got this sorted soon 💐

I hope you get some answers... make sure u see a doctor who has a clue!

@dontknow thank you, yes I had the coil removed today thankfully. It was displaced and sitting in the cervix. Scan on Tuesday to see if the uterus is empty.

@sillyoldowl thank you, it's terrible. Feel like cattle sometimes at my hospital. It's sad the way the nhs has gone. I am greatful but this has been a tough experience.

I'm sorry I don't know how to 'tag/mention' in posts so hopefully you'll get my response :)

I did have the bad cramps but they were on and off and not all of the time. I did have constant bleeding which was sometimes very light but other times would be so heavy. On a few occasions whilst at work I started bleeding extremely heavy and that's when I knew that something wasn't right (I would say that was probably 3 weeks post treatment) I went back to the clinic and was offered tablets to try and help with the remaining products but I declined them. I was told to wait another week and had to have another scan at which point they offered me the surgical option. As soon as it was all removed I felt quite normal within a few days of the surgical.

I did do a test from what I remember it was positive, as was the test they did at the clinic. Sorry it all seems like a blur, what I do remember was it was so stressful, I really feel for you. Have you got anyone to support you through it? I had a few friends and my partner who really helped me through it. It was a horrible time, I kept googling symptoms and reading horror stories which made me more anxious. If you feel really poorly go straight to a&e I called Bpas a few times and the nurses I spoke to were not overly helpful.

I didn't have a temperature at any point, although the clinic did advise me to call my GP to have them prescribe antibiotics after the first scan where they confirmed retained products.

When I had my procedure they were very pushy about contraception but I declined, the doctor doing the procedure even sat me down again before the procedure to try and persuade me to have the coil fitted. I found it quite forceful but again declined it and she seemed to back off then.

Keep us updated once you've had your scan.

@luckyme30 thank you for your response. It sounds very similar to my current experience. I'm glad you were strong and declined. I wasn't getting out of it, the worst part is we wanted the baby until the medical side of things went wrong. It wasn't like I was just having random unprotected sex.
Something I find very strange is why are they not using ultrasounds during these surgical procedures to make sure everything ok.

It does sound similar but hopefully once you've had the scan they can get on with treating you and you can start to recover.

They did use an ultrasound in my surgical, did they not with yours? It's quite rare that you get retained products after surgical but unfortunately as in our cases, it does happen occasionally.

@luckyme30 thank you.
Okay big update. Got rushed to hosp last night, heavy gushing bleeding, massive egg sized clots, excruciating pain. Just absolutely awful. Doc who did my surgery told me she did curettage on top of aspiration. She said they couldn't quite tell and never got as much out as they thought they would. They also used ultrasound.
They then put that copper coil in me.
Four weeks ive had awful symptoms, the worst anxiety, cramps etc a feeling that some things not right.

Well im finally stable in hospital with fluids etc, lost a lot of blood. Basically what I had passed was remnants of pregnancy. I can't believe I was carrying that poor soul around all those weeks. Im honestly heartbroken. Getting a scan today to check what's left. Fingers crossed no surgery needed. An absolute living nightmare.

Oh dear you poor thing :( that sounds terrible. Hope you're feeling a little better and fingers crossed that you have now passed what was remaining so that you can try to to get on with feeling a bit better now.

It will take time to heal but you should start to feel better, allow yourself time to get to grips with it, you've been through a lot so take the time to recover both mentally and physically.

In a way I am pleased that you are in hospital at least now it should be an end to what you've had to go through you poor thing and you are in the safest place possible x

How did you get on?
I've been thinking about you all day

@Luckyme30 @disappointedafternoon thanks so much lovies. Well got a scan and a 5cm mass of retained product was still there even after the heavy bleed last night and more tissue. Docs are kinda bending over backwards and have said they're sorry it didn't work etc. It makes me wonder just how much they actually removed first time with all that leftover product. Mental. The fact i didn't get a serious infection too.
Anyway out of surgery, went at 7.30pm, not slept in more than 24 hours so away to get a sleep. Thanks for your support lovelys xxx

Oh sunshine how awful for you.
So have they had to put you under again and clear out? This is horrendous.
I hope now the pain and anxiety will settle.
Sending you stregnth xxx

@disappointedafternoon yes they did so here's hoping all will be removed now.

Ps thanks for your kind wishes x

OP how utterly utterly shit. Didn’t want to read and run. Wishing you a peaceful recovery from the whole thing.

@64BooLane thanks lovie. It has been one hell of a time recently. Seem to be stable now so hopefully on road to recovery

I had something similar after a medical termination for missed miscarriage (my baby had already died). Once they remove the products you’ll feel better.

Also wtf! Why are they forcing you into a contraceptive you don’t want? Complain.

@violetta aww no did you? How did u feel during it, like something was wromg?anxious etc? It's very traumatic as u just want to move forward.

I know, it is crazy!!!! Considering I terminated for medical reasons etc. It still makes me sick that they put that copper coil in after the surgery etc when they hadn't even removed everything.

During the procedure? I kept waiting fo feel better but didn’t, I just felt sick and unwell.

It’s very awful how you’ve been treated. I’m so sorry that happened. :(

@Violette aww that's such a shame. It's horrible when you know something is wrong.

Thanks love, it's been a rough ride

@penelopeflintstone thanks dear x

Just a little update ladies. I have had some more issues with cramping and bleeding again. Been back to the hospital and going for a scan tomorrow. My pregnancy tests are now negative thankfully after the second surgery. However, they still want to check that there is definitely no further retained products. I am honestly just wanting this nightmare to be over, it should have been over 5 weeks ago, I just feel completely traumatised now. I have also submitted a full complaint demanding answers on various things such as uterus appearing to be 11 weeks at the scan before the second surgery etc. I personally feel that it was a complete failed abortion and I still had the full baby inside me after the first surgery. How that was even possible is beyond me. Anyway, I just needed to vent as I feel as though I am chewing my family and friends ears off at the moment and it is all I can speak about.

You have done absolutely the right thing complaining. Not only will it give you answers, but hopefully it will reduce the chances of this happening to another woman at such a vulnerable time.