Natural Miscarriage Versus D & C

first, i'm really sorry :(

i have been there three times all around 9 weeks. if i were you, i would NOT have the d&c unless it becomes medically necessary. i have seen many many specialists, and my reproductive endocrinologist was telling me that they now recommend "going natural" if AT ALL possible due to research pointing to it being more difficult to conceive after repeated d&c's. that being said, i didn't have a brutal experience(physically) either way. i mean, there was lots of blood and a few hours of nearly unbearable cramping, but as long as you KNOW 100% that the pregnancy is in your uterus, i would wait it out. if you start bleeding heavily, passing LARGE clots, running a fever, vomiting excessively, sweating, or any other things that "aren't right", yes, you need to seek immediate medical attention - but if you plan on future kiddos - it's best to TRY to go natural. again, i'm REALLY sorry, and hope your feeling "better" soon.

I am so sorry and my heart goes out to you and your husband.

Just be sure and don't let them rush you.
I'll pray for you and your family,
God Bless

I would opt for the D&C in your situation because of how far along you are but I would STRONGLY suggest waiting to be 100% sure that the pregnancy is not viable. With my current pregnancy I had a similar situation to you and they were already talking about miscarriage and D&C's. The next week when I went back they saw a heartbeat etc ( I was 9 weeks along at that point). I am now 3 1/2 months pregnant and so far so good. Either way my thoughts are with you. I have had both a natural miscarriage (very painful and a lot of bleeding) and a D&C w/out anesthesia...my opinion the D&C and ask them to put you out. Good luck to you and I'm sorry you are going through this!

First off, I'm very sorry for your loss. I had a m/c a year and a half ago and it was so devastating. I had a natural m/c at 6 weeks. I started spotting on a Wednesday, the bleeding got heavier on Saturday, and I passed tissue on Monday. By my doctor's appt on Wednesday, my HCG levels were already back down to a 7. It wasn't, physically, all that painful, but, emotionally, it was horrible. Again, I'm so, so sorry.

I would opt for the D&C. I had one 10 years ago. I laid in the hospital for about 10 hours having the miscarriage, I felt like I was in labor. The horrible cramps came about every 5-10 minutes. I then felt like I had to push. They did the D&C early the next morning. I was out of the hospital that afternoon and back to work 2 days later. I was 19 young and didn't want to think about the reality of what I had just been through.
I don't think emotionally I could sit there and let it pass. I would want them to go in and get it out of me as soon as possible.
Good Luck and I'm so sorry for your loss!

DJ,
I had a D&C without anesthesia. I do not recommend it. But it can be done. I had several miscarriages in a row and I was really mad that I was losing another baby, so I refused to go to the hospital and refused to wait for it to come out on it's own. Obviously, I was insane. The doc did the D&C at his office. The cramping really hurt, but it was over and I was out of there.

I had a miscarriage on my own, too (it also hurts) and D&C with anesthesia. So I've done it all.

Maybe you'll pass it naturally this weekend, but if not go for the anesthesia... unless you get so sick it's worse than the pain of cramping and then have them give you a local and something to relax you.

I'm sorry you're going through all this.... I know nothing helps right now, just know that alot of us are praying for you.

I wish you would email me and I will call you. I lost a late term baby and early twins. I am so so sorry for your news, but, again, as one lady mentioned, they could be wrong.

I would not have a D&C regardless. It is not safe, really it isn't, and it's not worth it.

The baby will pass on it's own when your body is ready, I promise. It's more private and comfortable at home, but there is risk, so you may opt to go to the emergency room and be admitted into L and D. They will be very kind to you.

Don't take the mithrogen!

Praying for you,
A.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I experienced something similar back in August. I went in for my sonogram at 9 weeks, and they couldn't find a heartbeat and the sac only measured 6-7 weeks, I don't even recall seeing the baby. Not like I had on the sonograms with my first two children. I was devastated. We scheduled a D&C for the following week, but I had the option to cancel if I changed my mind and decided to do it naturally (which he said could take weeks) or if the baby miscarried during that time on its own. That week, I was in a lot of pain. My stomach was very bloated and sore and crampy. I looked very pregnant already, so every time I left the house, I just prayed no one would ask me about it or I'd start crying. I did spot a little a week a few days after the sonogram which I thought was an answer to prayer. Since I'd seen no signs of miscarriage, I was very worried that it was all a big mistake I was about to abort a perfectly healthy baby. I decided to go along with the D&C for a couple reasons. First, emotionally, it totally freaked me out knowing I had a dead baby inside me. Also, I figured if I had the D&C, I'd be able to try again to get pregnant sooner. The baby had been due on my 35th birthday, so I was already considered advanced maternal age. Also, I didn't want people asking me about my pregnancy since I looked so pregnant. Next, I was very worried about it happening while my husband was at work and I had my kids with me. With a D&C, I could have my kids safely at my parents house and I knew my husband would be there. Finally, the cramps and back ache were really bothering me. I just wanted to get back to normal.

As for the procedure itself. . . physically for me, it was perfectly harmless. Emotionally, I was a wreck. I would be fine talking with my husband, but every time a nurse or doctor would come in, I"d start crying and he had to talk for me. Honestly though, I think I'd have been like that with a natural miscarriage anyway. Physically, I have no memory really of any of it. I remember them wheeling me away squirting the anesthesia in my IV while I stared at my husband. Next thing I know, I'm in the recovery room and she's trying to get me to sit up and eat a couple soda crackers and drink something. I vaguely remember the ride home, but I think it was about noon. My husband made me a bed on the couch, and withing minutes, I was asleep. I slept all afternoon and woke about 3 or so in the afternoon absolutely starving. After I ate something, physically, I felt back to normal. I never bled and never had any cramping or anything. I felt great, physically. Now emotionally, it's something I still struggle with, but it gets a little easier each and every day.

The only downside to the D&C in my opinion was the medical bill. We had about $830 we had to pay out of pocket (20% + my $300 deductible), so those were horrible checks to have to write. However, with a natural miscarriage, I'm sure there are emergency room bills to that as well. It just hurt to pay that much money and have nothing to show for it.

Anyway, best of luck with whatever you decide!

D J,
I completely feel your pain.
I had a miscarriage too almost the same situation as you but it was my first pregnancy. I had all the same thoughts as you.
My dr said to try this medication first. I inserted it vaginally. The worst thing I ever did in my life. I cried for hours from the emotion of it all. I cramped all day/night and only passed a little blood. This was a Monday. 2 days later I had an ultrasound and the medication didn't "work". I suppose this medication COULD work so ask your dr if that is an option for you. So, on Friday, I went in for a D & C. My thought was to get it over with. I knew the pregnancy wasn't viable. There was no question. I don't have problems with anesthesia but I knew what I was doing and prayed about it, I was prepared for the outcome, and I wanted to move on with my life and start trying again. I couldn't walk around knowing that my baby was dead and any minute I could cramp and have a natural miscarriage. That messed with my head more than anything. I'd feel a pain and wonder???
The D & C was fine, I recovered well over the weekend and returned to work on Monday.
It is a private time in your family's life but lean on others if you can. You will be surprised the number of people who have been there. Heal yourself and look into the eyes of your son!

The concern about just "going natural" is you could hemorrhage - and you may still end up having a d&c - I was faced with this with a second trimester loss - and I really struggled - thinking the doctor and the numerous ultrasounds were wrong - I scheduled the d&c anyway - as my frien that was an obgyn told me a lot of risks I was facing by waiting to miscarry on my own - and he said I might not miscarry for a while - I had already carried the fetus for many weeks since it had stopped growing - the day of my d&c - I started passing tissue clots and I knew it was really happening.

I did have general anesthesia - which went totally fine - but I was a mess for a while after - I was in my second trimester and my hormones were all over the place - as were my emotions. My body recovered from the actual procedure fine, but it took a while for my hormones to settle down - I got what seemed to be my period about 2-3 weeks later.

I wish you the best - I know this is a hard decision.