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Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum.

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Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum.

Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

I've been waiting for weeks now and I am not coping

43 replies

hotcrosbum · 26/04/2013 08:21

Had a private scan on 12th April where I was told the baby had probably died a week and a half before (I had had a scan 2 weeks previously when I thought I was 8 weeks, but I measured 7 and while there was a heartbeat, it was low, I knew something was up, as I knew when I conceived).

So, I have been waiting ever since. I went to the hospital on tuesday to get the ball rolling just incase. As my previous scans were private and this was an NHS hospital, they have to do their own scans a week apart. Even the dr I saw said it was madness, my private scans were done by an extremely good consultant with far superior machines to the ones they have at the hospital, but it's NHS policy. WHich I don't mind, as it's bought me another week. Well more really, as I have booked to go in for the next scan next friday.

I have no signs of anything happening. No cramping, no bleeding, nothing. I have even tried acupuncture and reflexology to try and get it moving.

All my pregnancy symptoms are long gone, I feel absolutely great infact (I feel terrible during pregnancy).

I am terrified of the surgical procedure. I had a terrifying reaction to GA when I was a child.

The dr I saw said I could have pills, but that at the size everything was, he wouldn't recommend it, as the risk of haemorrhage was so high.

I just want things to happen on their own, but it doesn't seem like it's going to. I am ok with losing the baby now, I have grieved and got over it, I am just worried about myself.

OP posts:

Report

Rockchick1984 · 26/04/2013 10:37

Hot I'm sorry you're still dealing with this. I posted on one of your other threads about the possibility of a local anaesthetic rather than general, have you spoken to the Dr about this? I had ERPC done under general on 10th April and although I was nervous it was actually fine, only 30 mins from meeting the anaesthesiologist to waking up.

hotcrosbum · 26/04/2013 10:49

I wouldn't have it under local - I have spoken to the private consultant who I was having scans with and my GP, both said that it was really not nice, that there could still be some discomfort and panic. I wouldn't want to do it.

I was hoping it would happen on it's own, I still have a week until the next scan.

I have spoken to a few women who have had ERPCs, I know the risks are low, but when I had a GA as a child, I couldn't wake up. I was aware of them shaking me, shouting my name, the panic as the ambulance was called (it was for a dental procedure), my mother crying and trying to wake me up, arriving at hospital where I finally came round. I was aware the whole time and trying to scream or move but I couldn't. It's left me with life long scars, for ten years I was terrified to go to sleep, I set an alarm to wake me every 20 mins, it was only when I moved in with my first husband that I was able to sleep. I am petrified of going through that again.

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Rockchick1984 · 26/04/2013 11:10

Hopefully it will happen naturally for you. I think you need to spend the next week deciding which of the options is less scary for you - I completely understand why you wouldn't be keen on the GA with your past experience, but obviously you may have no choice but to have the procedure one way or the other so at least you have time to decide which you would be less terrified of.

Rockchick1984 · 26/04/2013 11:11

Have you discussed your reaction to the GA last time with the dr? Could he offer you any reassurances about it not happening again?

hotcrosbum · 26/04/2013 11:24

The doctor said it probably wasn't that bad and that I have built it up in my head over the years. It was that bad, I know what I went through, my father knows what I went through, he honestly thought they were going to lose me.

i don't know what to do, i feel lost at the moment.

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Daisybell1 · 26/04/2013 12:08

That sounds absolutely terrifying! I'm not surprised you're scared out of your wits. I really hope it happens naturally for you.

Would it help to have a chat with an anaesthetist, not a dr? I had an erpc on Wednesday (my second) and I referred directly to the Gynae ward as that's where I would be treated.

Both times the anaesthetists have been amazing. I would ask if you could go in and have a chat directly with them. They were simply brilliant (the first time the anaesthetist held my hand as I was going under and said "It'll be over soon sweetheart". He was simply lovely and so compassionate). The second time we talked about wine

I suspect that anaesthetics have moved on a lot since the time of your dental, plus if you need to have it then you are in the right place with specialist anaesthetists, not dentists.

When I had my C-section they gave me a phenomenal tranquiliser. I swear its what they use to bring down a Rhino in the Kalahari, but that was amazing. Something like that should be available to you, and Oramorph afterwards helps with both physical and emotional pain.

Thinking of you

Bakingtins · 26/04/2013 13:17

I've had medical management for an 8 week pregnancy so it may be worth asking more questions about that. My understanding was they use medical management well past the point at which they can do an ERPC, i.e. for 2nd trim miscarriages. Miscarriage association says risk of haemorrhage is 1% more info on risks/choices here

hotcrosbum · 26/04/2013 13:32

When I was speaking to the dr at the hospital he scared me witless about medical management.

He said the pregnancy was big - fetus 1cm and sac 3cm - and that I would probably haemorrhage. However, when my GP saw those measurements on my scan, she said that it wasn't that large a pregnancy, and that the best option was for it to hopefully happen naturally

The private obstetrician who scanned me said that I should wait for something natural to happen if I could as well, he didn't seem to see such a horrendous problem.

The hospital dr spent ages telling me the bleeding with the pill (and natural) would be horrific and I would probably end up in hospital.

He also confused me as he said that they would only do medical management up to 9 weeks, and that by the time I come back for the second scan, I would be 14 weeks. But surely, I an still only technically 8 weeks 'pregnant' as it has all stopped growing?

The hospital had such a terrible attitude to me anyway though, as I was having private care and my GP is private. They were extremely rude to her when she called them to refer me, she warned me that all her private patients that she refers to the NHS are treated with distain, so that stressing me out as well.

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Bakingtins · 27/04/2013 08:45

Get another opinion. I've had natural miscarriages at 8+10 weeks and medical miscarriage at 8 weeks, and an ERPC for retained placenta after the birth of my son. Personally I would choose the ERPC as I have found the physical process of the miscarriages very distressing, but everyone is different, and if the worst thing for you is the prospect of GA then medical management to get things started sounds like your best option.
What he said makes no sense to me - there is a certain amount of tissue and lining in there and it has to come out one way or the other. I would think there is a small risk of excessive bleeding due to the uterus not contracting down with any of the methods - if that happens then you need additional medical attention. If they are that worried then could you not stay in hospital until you pass the sac? IME after that the bleeding settles down to period-like proportions.
It's not on to add to your distress by frightening you unnecessarily - get another opinion and, when you feel strong enough, complain!

PointlessCow · 27/04/2013 10:11

So sorry for your loss.

I had medical management of an 11+4 loss yesterday. Obviously I don't know your circumstances but when my options were all explained to me I certainly didn't get the impression that the choice between natural/medical/surgical would be vastly different for an 8 week loss.

I was horrified at the thought of passing the baby whilst conscious and was starting to regret not going for the ERPC, but in all honesty the medical process although emotional, was far less physically (and emotionally) traumatic that I anticipated.

I had the first tablet on Wednesday and had to return to hospital on Friday. In the meantime I had a tiny bit of brown spotting and no cramps. I was given pessaries and antibiotics at 9ish. My waters went at 10:20 and I quickly passed the baby. The placenta followed about 20 minutes later.

The staff were all lovely and we were home by 1 o'clock. For me I think being in hospital was the right decision as it helped me feel safe. Being at home and seeing my baby, possibly in the middle of the night would have been more upsetting. And as we have DCs to deal with, going to hospital and getting it 'managed' was best for us.

In your position, I would seek a second opinion. Hope everything goes well for you

PointlessCow · 27/04/2013 10:15

Oh, BTW, in our hospital, under medical management you do stay in hospital until everything is passed.

The nurses checked the foetus and placenta to ensure they were intact. Then they let me wait until the bleeding had slowed a bit until I was given antibiotics and discharged. Obviously this could be different to other health authorities.

hotcrosbum · 27/04/2013 14:07

The hospital said they don't have a ward or rooms for women having medical management, that I would have to call an ambulance if I was bleeding heavily or go to A&E (the ambulance wouldn't take me there anyway as it is not the nearest hospital to me, my local hospital with A&E is the pits and my gp wouldn't refer me there, it has an appalling reputation for everything and is due for closure, and I don't fancy a 20 min taxi ride to this hospital under those circumstances).

Still praying that something happens naturally.

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HumphreyCobbler · 27/04/2013 14:28

hotcrosbum, I am so very sorry to hear this, I had no idea. I hope it does happen naturally for you.

I have had a surgical management of a miscarriage and I found it ok, although naturally I see that you do not want this.

PointlessCow · 27/04/2013 14:32

I'm astonished that care can differ so much between different health authorities. It really is appalling.

Perhaps the Miscarriage Association would be able to advise here

GuffSmuggler · 27/04/2013 14:38

Hi hotcros I also posted on your early thread. I'm so sorry things haven't started naturally for you as you had hoped.

I second the person who said speak to an anaesthetist about your anxiety, you need to really go overboard with them about how distressing this would be for you.

I (with no medical experience) don't see why they couldn't give you a spinal block to have it. My understanding is the GA is recommended mainly because it's not a very pleasant procedure and is better for you emotionally, but if emotionally the GA is going to send you crazy I'm sure they would discuss other options. It really is a quick, non-evasive procedure that takes about 10 mins.

They can also give you a relaxing sedative before a spinal block (my mum had knee surgery like this and it was a good experience).

I think you need to demand to see the anaesthetist as I'm sure they would be very helpful.

Take care x

TrudyW · 28/04/2013 16:15

Hi there, I am really sorry for your loss.
I just wanted to say that I had medical management at 13 weeks, I was told that the baby had stopped growing around 9 weeks yet the sac and everything else was still measuring 13weeks. I chose medical as have never had a GA go my life and was afraid of that, in my own head I also wanted to have 'given birth' to the baby. I can say that I had one evening of awful pain where I could feel everything coming away inside but I still didn't lose anything til I was due back to be admitted to 'complete' as they call it, although that part is extremely emotional I didn't find the pain any worse than bad period cramps. I was however extremely surprised at what actually came out, there was an awful lot more than we expected. I just felt the need to choose that method as a way of my grieving process but everyone is different just wanted to share my experience to give u an idea. I wish u all the best and hope u get the help and support u need x

GuffSmuggler · 30/04/2013 09:32

Hi hotcros, how are you doing? x

hotcrosbum · 30/04/2013 10:49

Hi, STILL waiting for something to happen.

Physically, I feel bloody fantastic. Not a problem in sight, pregnancy symptoms all disappeared weeks ago.

Mentally, not coping too well. I wake up in the mornings in a panic, I suddenly remember what is happening and it's like waking up into a nightmare.

My appointment is friday, I don't know what to do or ask for still. I am so confused and the hospital are pretty crap to be honest.

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GuffSmuggler · 30/04/2013 19:58

I'm so sorry this limbo phase is absolutely horrendous

If nothing has happened by Friday after the scan they will get you to see a gynae - you need to really stress that you fear you may have had some kind of allergic reaction to anaesthetic in the past and this is causing you enormous anxiety affecting your mental health and you fear for your physical health being put under a GA again.

You must insist on seeing an anaesthesiologist to discuss your options.

I think you really need to go overboard and I think using the words allergic reaction to anaesthetic will mean they can't ignore your fears any longer.

Is there anyone that can go with you to lobby on your behalf in case it all gets a bit much?

PointlessCow · 02/05/2013 13:36

Hope you're okay today hotcros. Best of luck for tomorrow's appointment. I second taking someone with you if possible.

hotcrosbum · 02/05/2013 13:42

Thankyou.

I am going on my own, I don't have any close enough friends to go with me, I only really know school gate people to talk to and the odd person from my college course. 'D'h hasn't contacted me since he left.

My tummy is huge today and a bit hard and I am slightly cramps - just like I get before a period, but I am not getting my hopes up.

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Bakingtins · 02/05/2013 14:37

Didn't realise you were facing this on your own you could really do with someone to support you, drive you home, tuck you up in bed etc. Don't you have any family nearby? I've had to go for bad-news scans on my own because DH has had to do the childcare and it's horrible.
Does (not-so-D)H know?

hotcrosbum · 02/05/2013 15:50

We split a few weeks ago. Our baby was planned, but he turned on me when we found out I was pg. Shouting, creaming in my face. He had about 5 huge blow ups in the 9 weeks I was pregnant. He was horrible to me when we lost the baby. I couldn't live like it anymore so he's been gone a couple of weeks. As far as he was concerend, the baby is dead, move on (although it wasn't a baby to him, it was "cells, nothing", despite seeing it's little heart beating at the first scan).

I have no family, all dead. I am on my own with my 11 year old, his father was a shit too, so I have to hide everything. ds didn't know, he doesnt know dh has left (he loved him), he thinks hes away working. He'll be devastated. My life is a fucking mess.

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hotcrosbum · 02/05/2013 15:51

Um......that would be screaming, not creaming. Actually chuckled to myself there for the first time in weeks.

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EuroShaggleton · 02/05/2013 15:57

I'm sorry you are facing this and very sorry that you are facing this alone.

I mc'd in March. I was also keen to avoid the surgical option (for me, it was because my mum had a D&C when I was a child, caught an infection and nearly died). I did everything within my power to make my body an inhospitable place - strong coffee, very hard overheating runs, acu to try to get things moving, etc. Fortunately it happened naturally for me, although I have no idea whether any of that helped and it would have started when it did anyway.

I hope you can get closure on this soon.

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