In need of D&C or Natural Miscarriage Advice...

1stPuppyLove

I am completely torn on what to do.  I went in for my first u/s last week at 8wk 3 days, and there was only a yolk sac, but not baby at all.  Blighted ovum I believe it is called.  Seems fetal development never really started.  However, my body is still carrying on like there is a viable pregnancy.  I have one more apt with my Dr. on Wednesday, with u/s and options to help with the miscarriage.  Since development most likely stopped about 5 1/2 weeks, I have already had a couple weeks to expel naturally.  However, no symptoms at all, no cramping and no bleeding thus far.  I would like this to be natural, but am already finding the mental and emotional roller coaster to be too much.

I looked into Cytotec/Misopostol, the medication to stimulate uterine contractions.  However, reading that a ruptured uterus (usually followed by hysterectomy) is a possible side effect scares me too much to consider this!  I don't have any children yet, and I don't want to lose my chance for future children.   There is the D&C option hanging over me as well, but I am extremely frightened of surgery and being in the hospital.  I know the risks are less, but still some.  The best part of the D&C option for me, is that it is over with faster and I can move on with my life.

So, I guess I need some advice from all of you.  I know I prefer naturally, but don't know if I can stand to want weeks and weeks for it.  Any and all "positive" (I know this is not the best word for the situation) miscarriage stories would be very helpful to me right now. 

I am so sorry to have to ask this of all of you, who I know are going through such pain yourselves, but I greatly appreciate anything you are willing to share at this tough time in our lives.  Best -

nallsl

I didn't want to wait weeks and weeks either since it had already been three weeks before I found out. I opted for the cytotec medicie. I was scared, but I was fortunate enough to be home off of work and my DH took the next two day off as well. I thought it would be best to try that option first because I thought I would heal better/faster (no proof to that, but it calmed me to think that way). It was a rough day, but like I said, DH was supportive. Physically it was painful because the meds trick your body into labor,so I felt my water break and and felt strong contractions for a few hours, but the pain for me was little to the peace of doing it as naturally as possible. When I had my u/s, everything had passed and I was told that everything looked good...so once again, not choosing the D&C was the best way for me. Emotionally it all sucks. Sorry this isn't the best positive story, but I guess the fact that the loss was clean and everything passed, it is a positive in a way.

RunningGal900

I was on progesterone before we got the diagnosis, so I was hopeful that stopping that would start a natural miscarriage for me. It didn't, so I started the cytotec this morning. That was my Dr's recommendation for me over a D&C because she felt at my stage (I was 6w4d when we got the diagnosis), there was less risk of complications and no need to perform an unnecessary surgery. I couldn't sit around and wait for a natural miscarriage to occur. I need to get this over with so we can have closure and move on with our lives. I'd love to let it occur naturally, but I've been in limbo with this for a couple of weeks now and for me, emotionally, I can't handle waiting any longer. Good luck with your decision, it's a tough one.

babystoli

I also chose the cytotec route-  I wanted to avoid a D&C and didn't want to wait weeks for the natural miscarriage to occur.   I also was possibly facing further surgery this month for uterine fibroids, and didn't want two surgeries within such a short amount of time if I could avoid it.  What I've read about cytotec & uterine rupture, most of the cases of uterine rupture occur when using for full-term labor induction or even second trimester induction, not for induction of miscarriage during first trimester (pubmed search,  using uterine rupture misoprostol first trimester as search terms).  Risks are increased if you have had a previous c-section or uterine surgery that may have produced scar tissue in the past.  The risks of D&C seemed greater to me (infection, scar tissue, etc).   My sister was an L&D nurse, and asked some of her former colleagues (OBs, midwives, nurses) what they would personally choose- and they overwhelmingly opted for cytotec or natural.  

Sorry fo the totally technical version of why I chose cytotec

angelnumber8

I am on my second M/C this year. The first was more painful than this one. I bleed for five days with the one is April. This one I started on Sat., heavy bleeding yesterday and moderate today with little cramping. Both were natural M/C. I was to chicken to do the D&C. I hope you find the answer for you and I am so sorry about your loss.

anonymum

I had a d & c and it really was absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I had never had surgery before, so I was terrified, but it was all pretty easy (relatively speaking) and painless and I recovered very quickly. That said, I really, really trusted my doctor and also I knew that the ordeal of miscarrying naturally (and not knowing for weeks when it was going to start) was just as likely to affect my ability to try again as any scarring might. Also, they did give me cytotec six hours before the d&c anyway - maybe that was just because I was further along and perhaps it's less risky when done before a d&c, but you might want to ask about that.

TKtravels

I'm so sorry you're here and having to deal with this.  

I was dx'd with a blighted ovum at my first u/s visit too.  

I took one round of cytotec, and it did not work.  I scheduled a D&C for later that week, had a crazy panic attack that lasted 3 days and ended up canceling the surgery the night before.

I then decided to just wait.. and wait.. and wait.  And after two weeks of waiting, nothing but some slight bleeding and cramping was happening, so I asked my doc for another go at the cytotec, and while I'm not totally done with the passing of tissue/bleeding, it worked this time.  

I was also concerned about the possible side effects of the cytotec (a uterine rupture sounds horrifyingly scary!) but my doctor said that the warnings/side effects are more when used to induce labor at a full term pregnancy.  There are still risks for anyone, but it sounded to me like there was not as much of a risk if we take it now versus when we are 40+ weeks pregnant.  I was also told that there are risks with a D&C too, and that in either case, the risks of something major happening are extremely rare.  

I'm still terrified by the idea of having a D&C, and I know that the waiting to miscarry naturally was very draining emotionally.  For me, using the cytotec really was the best option, and if I had to do it all over again, I would absolutely choose it again.  

I hope you are able to figure out what is best for you, and sorry for your loss! 

BrittKav

I went in for my first ultrasound at 10w4d and like you, they couldn't find any fetal development. I was not bleeding or cramping on my own. My OB told me I could wait a few weeks to see if I would miscarry on my own, have a D&C, or take the Cytotec. I chose the Cytotec because I wanted to be able to miscarry in the comfort of my own home.

I had a "good" (if you can call it that) experience with the Cytotec and do not regret my decision at all. I was worried about the potential of uterine scarring with a D&C. The Cytotec made me feel like my body knew what it was doing. It felt natural and healing. 

akasha0624

babystoli:

I also chose the cytotec route-  I wanted to avoid a D&C and didn't want to wait weeks for the natural miscarriage to occur.   I also was possibly facing further surgery this month for uterine fibroids, and didn't want two surgeries within such a short amount of time if I could avoid it.  What I've read about cytotec & uterine rupture, most of the cases of uterine rupture occur when using for full-term labor induction or even second trimester induction, not for induction of miscarriage during first trimester (pubmed search,  using uterine rupture misoprostol first trimester as search terms).  Risks are increased if you have had a previous c-section or uterine surgery that may have produced scar tissue in the past.  The risks of D&C seemed greater to me (infection, scar tissue, etc).   My sister was an L&D nurse, and asked some of her former colleagues (OBs, midwives, nurses) what they would personally choose- and they overwhelmingly opted for cytotec or natural.  

Sorry fo the totally technical version of why I chose cytotec

 

This.  Also opted for Cytotec with no real issues.  So sorry for your loss and good luck to you. 

heathieo

RunningGal900:

I was on progesterone before we got the diagnosis, so I was hopeful that stopping that would start a natural miscarriage for me. It didn't, so I started the cytotec this morning. That was my Dr's recommendation for me over a D&C because she felt at my stage (I was 6w4d when we got the diagnosis), there was less risk of complications and no need to perform an unnecessary surgery. I couldn't sit around and wait for a natural miscarriage to occur. I need to get this over with so we can have closure and move on with our lives. I'd love to let it occur naturally, but I've been in limbo with this for a couple of weeks now and for me, emotionally, I can't handle waiting any longer. Good luck with your decision, it's a tough one.

I am on the progesterone gel right now.  I feel stupid admitting this but I have this little hope that the gel will make whatever was wrong in the pregnancy all better and when I go in on Thursday they will finally see the baby.  I have been waiting for 2 weeks now and need my life back in order--I'm going to do the d&c--sounds like less emotional torture?

heathieo

anonymum:

I had a d & c and it really was absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I had never had surgery before, so I was terrified, but it was all pretty easy (relatively speaking) and painless and I recovered very quickly. That said, I really, really trusted my doctor and also I knew that the ordeal of miscarrying naturally (and not knowing for weeks when it was going to start) was just as likely to affect my ability to try again as any scarring might. Also, they did give me cytotec six hours before the d&c anyway - maybe that was just because I was further along and perhaps it's less risky when done before a d&c, but you might want to ask about that.

Did the doctor say how long to expect a period to begin after your d&c?

NechamaChayim

I had the D&C last time and it was fairly easy. I did bleed for about 6 weeks afterward but it wasn't heavy and it wasn't painful.

This time I'm trying for the natural m/c but not sure it's going to happen. I've been cramping with a little bleeding for 8 days. I haven't passed much of anything though and I'm getting tired. My abdomen is tender and sore from the cramping. I have a D&C scheduled for Friday just in case. My doctor thinks two weeks is long enough to try.  If I don't do some serious "passing" by then I think I'll just go ahead and let her do it.

But, I didn't have to wait for something to start. Cramping came on a couple days after my first ultrasound and the morning before my confirmation. If you feel like the wait is way too much maybe just go for the D&C?

I know it's a difficult choice to make. I personally wouldn't do the meds. They have never been offered to me and I won't bring them up either. The D&C is generally easy but I understand concern over scar tissue and surgery in general always has some risks. I'm sorry you even have to think about these options. It all sucks either way.

lioness13

I was 8 1/2 weeks, empty sac. I had the D&C last Tuesday (1 1/2 weeks after I found out). I was afraid too but I'm glad I did it. It was painless and fast. I went in at 5am and was home by 11am. I rested the whole day and felt fine enough to go to work the next day but decided to rest because that's what my doctor advised. I have had light to moderate bleeding that started about 3 days after the D&C. I have a follow up appointment next week.

anonymum

heathieo:

anonymum:

I had a d & c and it really was absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I had never had surgery before, so I was terrified, but it was all pretty easy (relatively speaking) and painless and I recovered very quickly. That said, I really, really trusted my doctor and also I knew that the ordeal of miscarrying naturally (and not knowing for weeks when it was going to start) was just as likely to affect my ability to try again as any scarring might. Also, they did give me cytotec six hours before the d&c anyway - maybe that was just because I was further along and perhaps it's less risky when done before a d&c, but you might want to ask about that.

Did the doctor say how long to expect a period to begin after your d&c?

 

The doctor said six weeks, but I actually got my period 31 days later - which is my usual cycle length. It seems a bit heavier than normal, is taking a bit longer than usual and the cramping has gone on longer than usual. I have also felt a bit more fatigued than usual, but it's all very manageable.

I should also mention that they put me under a general for the procedure. I am not sure if that makes a difference. I don't think I would have chosen a D & C if I wasn't going to be totally out for it.

dozersmom

I decided to go with the D&C because I was feeling morning sickness from the pregnancy still. I couldn't bear to be sick any longer. I waited almost 3 weeks and nothing happened, so I decided on the D&C. The first days after the procedure were ok, but now I am on day 5 and am pretty crampy, and passing clots. They say this is normal, and hopefully it will be all cleared out soon.

Good luck with your decision.

Oh, and the only other surgery I had was my wisdom teeth too. I was fine with the anesthesia, and I would definitely chose the d and c again, although I certainly hope I dont have to.

2Haves

I have had two blighted ovums.  The first one, I had a D&C.  With this one, I had a natural miscarriage. 

With BO #1, we didn't find out until nearly 11 weeks (my first appointment), and I had pregnancy symptoms from 5 weeks, so we were totally shocked and devastated.  I chose the D&C because I wanted it over right away.  The only problem that I had with the D&C is that they didn't get all the tissue, so about a week later I had a lot of bleeding and huge clots which caught me by surprise right in the middle of teaching.  The surgery and recovery itself was easy (physically).

With BO#2, I always felt like something was a little off.  I had some spotting around 5 weeks, so I requested an early ultrasound and found out at 7 weeks.  It took another 2.5 weeks to start the miscarriage naturally (I was on vacation for two weeks, so a D&C was not even an option until I got back).   The natural miscarriage has not been bad, but it seems like it is lasting FOREVER.  

 There is no wrong choice if you do what is best for you.  Good luck with your decision.   I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

NechamaChayim

I'm just wondering how you are feeling? Did you make a decision?

1stPuppyLove

NechamaChayim:

I'm just wondering how you are feeling? Did you make a decision?

 

Thanks everyone for your support!  I had quite an emotional rollercoaster weekend, but feeling better each day.  I had my second u/s yesterday, obviously still revealing that there is nothing growing, which was just enough closure for me for now to wait it out a few weeks longer.  I feel pretty strongly about "not giving in" to medication or surgery unless I feel I have to.  With that said, I have another apt. set for Aug. 27th, at which time I might schedule a D&C for the following week or just keep waiting, depending on my mental state.  I went a little crazy yesterday though, drinking a double espresso Chai latte, eating sushi, running 3.2 miles, then drinking a couple beers later that night.  Man do I feel like crap today!  haha.  Hugs to you all.