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Options
Pros & Cons of D&C/Other Options? (Missed Miscarriage at 12+ weeks)
eemabird
Posts: 74
Hello ladies. Apologies for being a downer on the TTC board, but I wasn't sure how many people read the miscarriage/loss forum where I have posted the whole sad story, and I am really looking for some straightforward advice from those of you have been through this process.
Yesterday at my regular OB appointment, it was discovered that our baby had died in utero. There was no heartbeat. There was no warning that this might happen. No cramping, no bleeding, etc., and we had seen a healthy heartbeat and appropriate growth at 8 weeks.
I am scheduled for a D&C on Friday. Frankly, I am petrified of the procedure. However, there are no signs that my body plans to miscarry on its own any time soon, and I don't know how much longer I can live with the reality of our dead baby inside me. I also don't know how much longer I can handle the dread of anticipating it or the reality of it just happening randomly happening on its own at some unknown time in the future.
My doctor didn't really discuss medical management as much of an option. She basically said that while she doesn't keep "the abortion pill" she could get some from a colleague but that she didn't think this was a great option since there was still a fairly high likelihood that I wouldn't pass all of the tissue naturally and end up with a D&C in the end.
For those of you who have been through this, what option did you choose and what were the pros and cons.
If I do elect to have the D&C, what can I expect.
Thanks in advance.
Yesterday at my regular OB appointment, it was discovered that our baby had died in utero. There was no heartbeat. There was no warning that this might happen. No cramping, no bleeding, etc., and we had seen a healthy heartbeat and appropriate growth at 8 weeks.
I am scheduled for a D&C on Friday. Frankly, I am petrified of the procedure. However, there are no signs that my body plans to miscarry on its own any time soon, and I don't know how much longer I can live with the reality of our dead baby inside me. I also don't know how much longer I can handle the dread of anticipating it or the reality of it just happening randomly happening on its own at some unknown time in the future.
My doctor didn't really discuss medical management as much of an option. She basically said that while she doesn't keep "the abortion pill" she could get some from a colleague but that she didn't think this was a great option since there was still a fairly high likelihood that I wouldn't pass all of the tissue naturally and end up with a D&C in the end.
For those of you who have been through this, what option did you choose and what were the pros and cons.
If I do elect to have the D&C, what can I expect.
Thanks in advance.
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I ended up not needing one as I miscarried naturally, but it helped me to know that the procedure wasn't as scary as I thought. I know there is a huge emotional toll on you that she didn't have to deal with for her D&C, but from what I understand the procedure is fairly quick and painless.
I was getting positive pregnancy tests after miscarriage so I went in to look for remaining tissue and I was fully prepared to do a D&C on the spot if they required because I didn't want to sit around and wait for it to be over. I knew my baby had passed and I didn't want to drag it out, so I think you're making the best decision you can given the circumstance.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
April '14 - BFN
May '14 - BFP (angel baby, 4 wks)
June '14 - BFP (angel baby, 5 wks)
The D&C itself was pretty simple. I was awake but had some medications, it was quick then they had me rest for a little while. After I was discharged I was told to stay on bed rest for a few days, use a heating pad for cramps, etc.
In regards to your loss, there isn't much I can say to comfort you but find peace in that everything happens for a reason and you can try again.
Would they do an ultrasound with a d&c just to be sure that the doctor was right?
I hate that this happens, and especially so far along when you're just at the point where you're starting to feel good and secure. I'm so so sorry.
Our 2nd baby stopped growing at 9 weeks and we found out in our u/s half a week later. DW was carrying. She wanted to let her body handle it, and our midwives were OK with that. So we went on with life, she went on working but did talk to her bosses so she had the go-ahead to leave work at anytime should she start cramping/bleeding/etc. She carried our dead baby for about a month before she went into a mini-labor late one night, and then the baby & sac passed later that morning. We cried & hugged & buried our baby under our apple tree, taking a few photographs for a memory book. It was grueling and painful to let it all happen naturally, but very healing to do it that way. DW told me over and over again that she is so glad she did it at home and we went through the whole process together. I'm glad too, it was healing for both of us and we were able to celebrate our baby's brief in-utero life.
For us, skipping the D&C was the best option. BUT, we didn't have any out-of-the-womb kids running around yet at that point. At this point in our lives, we might've made a different choice.