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Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss
Waiting vs cytotec vs D&C?
Went to see the OB today and the fetal pole was only 5 weeks in size and no heartbeat--expected to see a heartbeat at 8 weeks along today. Also my beta HCG went down, so definitely a miscarrage.
The doctor went over the options with me:
1) wait for a "heavy period"--not sure how long that would take though--maybe a couple of weeks?
2) cytotec intravaginally--she said I could do it myself at home? She said this could give me a couple of days of cramping.
3) D&C--this could be done under oral sedation in the office and she said that I could go back to work the next day--is that right?
I told her that I wanted to wait a week to see if I would have the "heavy period", but what do you all suggest?
I would love to have your opinions.
thanks,
Karen
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Waiting vs cytotec vs D&C?
Tried for 2 years before diagnosed with DOR and low Progesterone. MC at 16 weeks in June 2010 (Told Placenta Previa contributed to the loss)
Born September 9th 2011 (C-Section at 38 weeks for Placenta Previa)
Mommy to one darling & amazing little girl
Surprise!! EDD 12/13/13 (Hoping for a VBAC!) Off home bed rest and now just monitoring a large SCH. Stable in size but not going away. SHRINK PLEASE!
First thing, for any option... I'd not rush back to work the next day.
But secondly, I'd go Cytotec or D&C. I did a D&C seeing I wasn't doing anything after 3 weeks. The waiting game is hard.
Yep -- I went back to work too soon after Cytotec and completed my miscarriage at WORK! It was awful!
First, my name is Karen, too! Completely unrelated, I know
I tried waiting, and after 2 weeks of nothing, I opted for Cytotec. I passed huge clots for a couple hours, and had some heavy cramping for about 3 days.
I never held you, but I always loved you.
Baby Squirt- September 2009
Baby Turtle- May 2010
Baby Surprise- August 2011
Thanks for the replies so far.
I am thinking of waiting until next week, kinda to just things sink in, but maybe it would be better to just get things over with. I just feel lousy and weepy today, after my appointment at 8AM.
I am leaning towards the cytotec, just because I don't like the idea of instumentation.
Thanks,
Karen
I had those choices as well. I opted not to wait...I just wanted it over with. I was 11 weeks along but baby measured 6w and had no bleeding or cramping. I think I was mostly afraid it would take several weeks and then I could miscarry at work etc.
I had my D&C on a Friday and was back at work on Monday. I'm not sure I would have been ready to go back the next day.
Also, I'm not sure how common this is, but my doctor had me insert cytotec 2 hours prior to my D&C since she said it would help make the recovery from the D&C easier since she wouldn't have to force open the cervix so much.
I have no regrets from the D&C and am now just waiting for my hcg level to go down to 0 so we can try again.
I also wanted to say that I was afraid of the heavy bleeding. I know that sounds weird, but my SIL naturally had a miscarriage a few weeks before me and her bleeding was horrible and lasted quite some time.
After my D&C I had REALLY light (like the size of a dime per day) spotting for 5 days or so. Then it was done.
I'm sorry for your loss
I had the D&C for my 2nd miscarriage. I highly recommend it because the natural part of m/c can be very painful. I scheduled the d&c 2 days after we discovered missed m/c via u/s. I began naturally m/c that day and it was sooo painful...I was in labor--contractions and everything. It lasted for 2-3 hours each day for 2 days. I ended up still needing the d&c because my hcg levels were so high, my ob felt there was probably still some fetal tissue left.
I also recommend it because you won't have to wait. It will be done quickly and with only some cramping and bleeding (I guess that depends on the person but it was for me). I took the day after off, but went back to work 2 days after and I was fine. I could have probably gone back to work the day after, but I didn't mostly for emotional reasons.
GL and I hope this is as painless for you as it can be.
I am so sorry for your loss- My situation was similar to yours....I thought I was 7 weeks but the baby stopped developing at 5 weeks.
I chose the D and C- I just wanted the whole situation to be done and over with as soon as possible. I had it about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I ended up taking a few days off work after- not because I could not work- but, I just needed some time to let everything sink in. I only had light bleeding for one day after the D and C. Also- I was in a lot of pain when I first realized I was having a miscarriage and afterwards I felt so much better. Just a little cramping the next day and then it was done.
Good luck with whatever you choose
First I want to say that I am so sorry for your loss. I do know how hard it is as I went through this back in October. I was given the same options as you and I chose the Cytotec as I was scared of the D&C and wanted to do it in the comfort of my own home. I didn't want to wait for the miscarriage to happen naturally because I wanted to move on. While my doctor gave me everything under the sun to make sure I was comfortable during the process it was a very, very messy process. I almost passed out a few times from losing so much blood. After things slowed down I felt fine physically. I will spare you all of the gory details, but after a couple of weeks I ended up getting an infection because the Cytotec didn't work and I had to end up getting an emergency D&C two days before Thanksgiving. I was so scared to have the D&C, but they put me under twilight anesthesia and one minute my doctor was talking to me right before she started the procedure and the next thing I knew I woke up and was being wheeled out to recovery. I was tired, but physically fine the next day. If I knew then what I know now I would have chosen the D&C to begin with.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss and if you have any further questions please feel free to ask!
I am so sorry for your loss. I was faced with the same choices. For me I wanted it over with. I never missed an ounce of work except for our appointment (work kept me busy). I got the cytotec on Friday took it Friday at 8 had my mc at 4 am was out and about by 6pm the next night. I had mild cramping off an on through Tuesday but nothing I couldnt handle.
I hope whatever you choose you find comfort in this group and start to heal.
I'm so sorry that this is happening to you.
Everyone is going to have their opinion but you really need to do what is best for you. Having gone through 3 m/c's and one pregnancy that we had to let go at 12 weeks (life threatening birth defect)...I have had the natural m/c and I have had a D&C. the D&C isn't bad, you are in and out. But there are risks of infection and injury to your uterus. The waiting it out is hard but this time around when given the option, we chose the natural route. I also had very messed up periods after the D&C. My period didn't show for months and months. I believe it messed up my cycles. So this time DH and I really wanted nature to take it's course, hoping that would help my body to snap back quicker. The doctor gave us a week to wait. ( I should have been 10 weeks, baby measured 7W, 4D) Within 4 days after finding out about the missed m/c, I started spotting and had the heavy bleeding. I didn't have any major pain. Small cramps but all in all, it wasn't that bad. The hardest thing about it happening at home is having to "see" what would have been your baby. Anyway, there are pros and cons to both. I hope you make the decision that is right for you.
I was 18 weeks when we lost baby. I had no options and had to do the cytotec in the hospital. Im not sure why they would say you can do it at home. Looking back, it wasnt as bad as I thought it was going to be.
I would definitely not go back to work the next day.
I think I just passed the gestational sac, I am going to take tomorrow off since I am passing huge clots and bloody fluid.
Thanks for all the advice and support! You are all great!