I was diagnosed with a blighted ovum 4 weeks ago. I have chosen to let the miscarriage process happen naturally. I have had several ultrasounds showing a gestational sac at 5-6 weeks gestational size, but no yolk sac or fetal pole. I am currently technically 11 weeks along (according to LMP). My doctor thinks I need to make a decision soon about medical interventions (i.e. medication to induce the miscarriage or a D&C). I am so reluctant to try either of these methods and just hope my body passes everything naturally. I have started having light brown spotting/discharge at times, but no red blood or passing of any tissue. Hoping to find someone with a similar experience who can provide some insight - what was the miscarriage like? Did the natural way work for you? What can I expect to happen? This is my first pregnancy and it is heartbreaking for me and my husband. Thanks in advance
Callie.... oh sweetie, I am so so sorry. My first pregnancy was a wee blighted ovum, discovered on dating scan..... a big empty gestational sac.... it's just so heart breaking. The progress of my body ending the pregnancy, was quicker than yours from the date of the scan, anyway. My gest sac was 4-5 weeks, and the scan was about 8 weeks. So that's a similar time frame. I had bloods taken to assess my hcg levels, and once the Obs saw those he suggested I would start bleeding in the next day. And I did. I had no intervention.... however the Obs was then worried about the duration of my bleeding and wanted me in for a D&C. I can't remember at what point after the bleeding started that he was worried though. He asked me to call him every day with an update, even on weekends. I was booked in for a D&C late Sunday night for Monday afternoon and I was able to call on the Monday morning to say the bleeding had stopped.
Brown spotting and discharge is a good sign. I don't remember getting much cramping. I went out to a friends housewarming when I was bleeding heavily. It was tough, and I didn't tell anyone..... but I reasoned that I would be sad no matter where I was, so I might as well try. It was distressing seeing the amount of blood in the loo, especially that night.
I found that I needed a couple of days off work, as I was just really wobbly emotionally. I was able to feel less wobbly after a few days. I spent a lot of time with my niece, who had had 2 m/c, and was just kind and gentle with me.
Don't expect too much of yourself. The waiting is hard, but when it's over, it's equally as hard to let go of the dream and the pregnancy.
I know it sounds weird now, but take a photo of yourself and your husband and something to remember the pregnancy by... maybe hold a flower you like near your belly. Or maybe make the shape of a love heart with your hands around your belly button and take a pic. Do something special to remember this little one who never got a chance at all... plant a tree or release a balloon with a message to your baby in it, or toss a letter out to see, or into the wind in a place that has special meaning to you. Light a candle for your wee one. Later on it might be important for you to have these special memories and it might help your healing.
I don't know if there is a risk to you of getting an infection as the sac has not passed but still inside. I don't know if there is a risk to you from scarring or something else I can't think of.
Ask the Dr's more about why exactly they want to intervene and what the risks to you are. I was glad my Obs suggested expectant management ( wait and see) as it worked for me. I hope it does for you.
If you brave another pregnancy, don't be too scared or nervous to ask for more assistance.... you can have regular blood tests to test your beta HCG with your GP, and they might be bulk billed ( the pathology), ask for a dating scan ( which it seems you've had with this pregnancy).
It's just cruel that our bodies tell us we're pregnant, but there was never a baby growing, even though our bodies thought so. For some reason it takes a while for our bodies to realise the heartbreaking situation.
Dory - thank you so much for your kind words of support and for sharing your story. It's nice to talk with women who know what I'm going through. I'm just having a really difficult time "letting go". I want to hope against all hope that a miracle will happen. I think I've decided that I don't want any medical interventions unless I become at risk for infection or significant conplications. My prayer is that my body takes its natural course if that's what's meant to be.
Also - my friend lost a baby and she planted a tree in her honor. I think we'll do the same once spring rolls around. Thanks again for responding
Miscarriage
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