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Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum.

Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Small amount of retained tissue after ERPC

28 replies

Mung · 02/03/2009 19:38

I went to my EPU today after being given the advice to contact them on here. I have no 'symptoms' of having retained tissue other than the bleeding, so I thought they'd just check me out and send me away. Anyway, they took swabs and then did a scan and found a thick womb lining and a very small amount of tissue with a blood flow to it. So, basically, they have given me another appointment in a week, at my request and then I will probably have to have another ERPC.

Dpes anyone have any experience of this? Do I have any chance of this bit of tissue coming out on its own? I am sick of the bleeding, so a huge part of me just wants it all over with, but it seems crazy to have a general anesthetic just for this. The doctor was very reluctant to wait any longer than a week due to risk of infection.

I am so fed up of all this now

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Habbibu · 02/03/2009 19:51

Did you have any tests following the first ERPC? I had a second ERPC as I had a partial molar pregnancy, and the mole regrew, leading to bleeding and an active growth with a blood supply. They did the second ERPC under ultrasound to make sure they got everything, and all was fine - had to have 6 months follow-up because it was a mole, but all's well.

FWIW, the second ERPC was much less stressful - it was more distant from the m/c, it wasn't my baby that they were removing, and I knew what to expect.

I hope things pick up for you soon.

EldonAve · 02/03/2009 19:55

Sorry to hear this Mung

When I had an ERPC they did say there was a chance of needing a second one

Mung · 02/03/2009 20:04

I don't know if they did any tests. Are they routine or would they have told me about it?

I did presume that a second ERPC would be different, as you say Habbibu. It is all just a pain...

Thanks for all your advice up until now EldonAve. I am glad I took your advice.

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Habbibu · 02/03/2009 20:16

I honestly don't know if they are routine - I'm guessing if they did have results you'd know about it. my hosp tend to be very thorough, and I have a little bit of a complicated history, so they treat me with kid gloves a bit, which is nice.

I hope it's all over for you soon. It's horrible to have this drag on so much.

EldonAve · 02/03/2009 20:17

I think they do routinely test the tissue after ERPC to see if it is molar
But they only tell you if it is
If all is well you hear nothing

Mung · 02/03/2009 20:42

That was what I thought. I know they did test something as today when I didn't know what day I had my op on she said that there were tests done on 3rd Feb. Not sure what they were looking for though and I didnt ask.

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Sawyer64 · 02/03/2009 20:48

Hi Mung

Don't know if I can add anything to all the wisdom you get from fellow MN'tters.

If you are not in any discomfort,could this be a period?

has the bleeding got any lighter at all,and TMI Alert... has the colour changed at all?

Periods return any time up to 6 weeks after.Saying that I didn't get mine until 8 weeks after.

The initial discomfort usually eases up after 1-2 days approx.If it starts up again,and the bleeding is heavy,its likely you have some retained tissue.

Have you any "usual" period signs?

Ooh and by the way,Don't use your Mooncup,for the same reasons as you can't use Tampons,risk of introducing infection,and may be "abrasive" on tender tissue.

They usually do send the tissue away,as a routine.

Did they say how big the tissue is thats bleeding? Maybe when your period comes (if this isn't it) then that tissue will be shed with your endometrial lining.

Don't know what else to add,maybe this next week things will settle down,ruling out the need for further surgery.
It may seem a palaver etc. but wouldn't recommend it being done under local anaesthetic.

Sawyer64 · 02/03/2009 20:51

The "test" is usually "histology",which is to confirm that it is Ret.products.

Mung · 02/03/2009 20:52

Thanks Sawyer. The blood has changed and I did think it was a period, but they seemed to suggest that the fact that I have bled every day would suggest that it isn't. I do have a little abdominal discomfort that is associated with periods and I am hoping that it all comes away bringing the tissue with it.

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Sawyer64 · 02/03/2009 20:57

Hopefully this will be the case Mung.

Poor you,its awful to go through all this,and then have all this extra worry.

If I can be of any further help(not that I've helped this time) let me know.

"Talking shop" never bothers me,just wish I knew more.

Mung · 02/03/2009 21:01

Always wonder why its not done under local anaesthetic Sawyer. Is it all a bit too traumatic then?

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Sawyer64 · 02/03/2009 21:21

Well,it would involve an injection of local Anaesthetic into the Cervix,which they tell me is painful,(you have that for Colposcopy too if they take a Biopsy)

and I can't see how they could anaethetise the womb which they need to curette.

Is that too graphic,I'm sorry if it is.

Mung · 02/03/2009 21:24

I think i wish I hadn't asked!

I've had a biopsy and it wasn't too bad...but I don't think I fancy the curette without anaesthetic .

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Sawyer64 · 02/03/2009 21:29

Me neither,think thats why they don't offer it!

Plus there the psychological effect of being awake,some women might want to "withdraw" their consent halfway through,which would "complicate" matters somewhat!!

pecanpie · 02/03/2009 21:51

I had a similar sort of problem - retained tissue after an ERPC. I didn't particularly want to have another EPRC but after waiting a few days, then taking some pills to try to shift it, I ended up having to have the procedure done. They will do histology test to check it's just retained tissue.

At least this will allow you to draw a line under the physical aspect of everything that's happened.

Oh and at the hospital I first went to for the procedure (first time round) they offered for me to have it done with a local anaesthetic - madness!

Really sorry this has happened to you.

Mung · 02/03/2009 22:21

Thanks pecanpie. You are right about being able to draw a line under it all. It is taking so long and it is driving me crazy.

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Sawyer64 · 03/03/2009 10:56

It does seem to take ages,when you are waiting for things to settle down.

When I had my ERPC in July 2005,I didn't get a "normal" period until September,so couldn't TTC until then,it seemed like forever,especially when you are as ancient mature as me,time isn't on your side!

I didn't concieve until the January (which would have been my EDD,strangely enough)but I guess that was down to my age,and probably not ovulating every month.

When you look back,its no time at all,but seems forever at the time.

I'm a firm believer in fate though,and at least for me,as horrible as that time was,I would have had 18 mths between my DD's,which would have been harder IMO,and Mum had a CABG that year so I don't think I would have coped well with all the stress and worry etc.

I'm sure you'll soon be where you want to be Mung.

Mung · 03/03/2009 12:00

Thanks Sawyer. I agree that these things happen for a reason.

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Mung · 03/03/2009 21:03

Does anyone know of anything I can do to try and bring this on naturally. You hear about all the things to help bring labour on, but there seems to be no natural remedies for speeding up miscarriage.

I've just made the mistake of reading the thread about Ashermans and feel totally scared of infection and even more worried about another ERPC.

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pecanpie · 03/03/2009 22:04

I was also terrified of having another ERPC - mostly because a friend who works at Northwick Park was telling me about a medical negligence case regarding the anaesthetic....

Not sure about a 'natural' approach, but you should be able to try tablets to induce contractions to get the last bits - these didn't work for me though.

Do you have private health insurance? Miscarriage/complications of miscarriage are covered. The private consultant I found at the time of my first MC has been really helpful this time round - giving me options to avoid a second ERPC even though I ended up having to have one. He has been able to give me a lot of reassurance in terms of follow up, especially in terms of scanning me today to check that everything is healing as it should - and giving me a timeframe in which to get back in touch if i haven't had a period/become pregnant.

In all truth, the fact that he mentioned Ashermans has completely stressed me out, but at the time, the repeat ERPC (my third overall) was necessary.

Sawyer64 · 03/03/2009 22:45

To "bring on" a Miscarriage etc. you would need to stimulate your uterus to contract,not sure I'd fancy that as it might be uncomfortable. . . .

Only "comfortable" way I can think of,if you can't do the "deed" yet,is the "O" word

Otherwise Raspberry Leaf Tea isn't it? Pineapple maybe,Reflexology, some Aromatherapy Oils I believe. . . .

Got me thinking now

Mung · 04/03/2009 09:27

Ohh Sawyer...I'll have to let DH know about your sound medical advice

So its the same as bringing on labour...I'll get going on the other things and see if that helps.

Strangely the bleeding has stopped today, so I am hopeful that its all come out on its own. I dont want to get my hopes up.

Pecanpie I have just called DH and asked him to contact his private health insurance company...I never think about that.

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mistlethrush · 04/03/2009 09:57

Accupuncture might help?

At least you've got early treatment etc - the Drs didn't even examine me when I kept going back with odd bleeding - it took a locum 3 months after 1st erpc before I got taken seriously - and got scan and 2nd erpc. During that time my bleeding would stop - then start furiously again for a short while and stop - it was not great. So my advice is to really make sure that all is well before starting to try to go on with your life....

Mung · 04/03/2009 16:18

Thanks for the advice mistlethrush.

I am now really worried that they are not going to scan me next week. I called the hospital today to find out when my scan was (and to point out that I was promised an appointment and a phone call on Monday!). The receptionist called back and left a message saying that I wont have a scan appointment and I just need to go to one of the wards on Tuesday.

I think its definitely worth going down the private route, despite having to pay the excess.

I just dont know how to get the referral to the private hospital.

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Sawyer64 · 04/03/2009 17:33

If you see your GP they have to refer you Mung ie.write a letter etc.

Most Private Hospitals don't see you without a referral.

However,saying that if you don't need to see a Doctor, I would imagine you can phone them and book directly,same as you can a well woman check etc.

Wouldn't the NHS Scan work like an EPU scan,IME (at St Johns,Chelmsford) I was just "squeezed in" when I needed an Early Scan when I bled with DD1.

Maybe they need to "Triage" you first,and then "squeeze you in" if needed.

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