We took a trip to the ER last night because I had some bleeding, and because of my sereve blood loss, I wasn't sure how much I could spare.
After many hours of being poked and prodded and receiving 2 units of blood (I don't look dead anymore!) the OB looked at some u/s images they took last night and said that I had a tiny bit of retained placenta. The first option was another D&C, which caused me to have an absolute meltdown. He said he'd send me home with methodextrate to try to pass this on my own, but then he couldn't give it to me because my BP was too high - no kidding! You just threatened me with another D&C!
Well, by the time we went home, the bleeding had stopped for a few hours. We slept for about 5 hours (had gone many, many hours without sleep) and when I woke up, the bleeding had picked right back up. Not super heavy, but like a regular period, with lots of cramping.
I called the doctor and he said this is good news, it sounds like my body is trying to pass this on its own. If it doesn't by the end of the week, we'll have to do another D&C.
Has anyone had this happen to them? Were you able to pass the remaining tissue naturally? I'm really hoping that these cramps are a good sign. The doctor says it is, so we'll see!
I'm pretty new to this site but am going through a miscarriage now. Just wanted to wish you luck -- I'm not an expert but the cramping does sound like a good sign since it seems like your uterus is working to push things out. From my own experience, I feel that the waiting for an answer or for resolution (in your case whether the placenta will go on its own) is the hardest part. For me, it was a three-week waiting period to see if the fetal heart would start and sadly it didn't. I wish you all the best and hope that you don't need another D&C.
Bekki, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I can't believe its taking so long to be over.
I think it sounds like good news too. I hope you don't have to have another D&C.
I'll be thinking about you, and I hope this time passes quickly.
The retained placenta may be the cause of the bleeding, so as counterintuitive as it sounds, another D&C might help clear it up. Of course, with your last experience, I'd want another doctor/hospital. I had my D&C three weeks ago, and apart from one big cramp when I woke up and some occasional spotting and very light bleeding, (only "had" to change a pad once, and even that wasn't all that much -- mostly stuck to panty liners the whole time) I haven't had any bleeding issues. It mostly cleared up by the two-week checkup, and I occasionally pass some brown mucus (looks like cervical mucus, not an infection).
The only thing I'd want them to check for you is to make sure that the bleeding isn't caused by a perforation in something, or do you know if you have fibroids? Those could also be causing the bleeding, and you would need to do something about the first thing right away.
I think I passed it last night. *TMI AHEAD* The cramping became nearly unbearable, I had never had such pain (except for when I was on pitocin). I went to the toilet and passed a clot-ish looking thing - looked more like bloody tissue, and it floated, it didn't sink like clots do. It was the very same shape and size as what the doctor said was left behind.
Immediately after that, the cramping stopped, and the bleeding has slowed WAY down to heavy spotting/light period. I really think that was it.
The doctor is going to do an ultrasound this week to be absolutely certain. There's a small chance that wasn't it, but he's pretty certain it was. The u/s is just to be extra cautious. If there is anything left, I will have a D&C, which I can deal with, even though it stinks.
Good luck with all of this being finished! Did the doc talk about keeping an eye on your temperature in case you might get an infection? I hope you feel better soon, too! ((Hugs))
__________________ Metformin 1500mg, Yasmin, managing IR/pcos with lower carbs
First pregnancy ended at 23 weeks due to incompetent cervix.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mary Catherine will be in our hearts forever, November 28, 2003.
Second loss March 9, 2004 at five weeks
Third pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Duncan 2/11/05, 9lb 3oz
Fourth pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Ruby 2/27/06, 9lbs
Isn't it maddening how our stupid bodies fight getting pregnant... then refuse to carry to term... and then won't even give us the courtesy of miscarrying properly?? I'm sorry this is STILL dragging out for you. I hope that was the placenta you passed, too.
eta - I am glad the transfuse or not to transfuse matter has been settled!
__________________ DS b. 11/16/03 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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"We've tried to wash our hands of all of this
We never talk of our lacking relationships
And how we're guilt-stricken, sobbing, with our heads on the floor
We fell through the ice when we tried not to slip..."
- the verve pipe
Wow, can I ever relate to what RunnerDuck just said. After a year of ttc we found out about my PCOS. It was so frustrating to learn that my body wasn't even ovulating every month like "normal" women do. Then, we finally get pregnant and my baby didn't develop. Then, instead of just miscarrying my body decides it wants to keep the baby in there so we needed to use misoprostol to encourage the actual miscarriage. It's definitely like adding insult to injury that the pregnancy doesn't survive but then you can't even miscarry easily. Does anyone else feel betrayed by the body you live in? I know I'm trying so hard physically and mentally but wow it is tough sometimes.
I don't mean to sound bitter - I do try to find the bright side of things as much as I can. I cherish my DH and feel lucky since not everyone It seems like we are all in a similar boat and I truly feel for everyone on these boards. I wish all of you health, happiness and a family to call your own.
Oh yeah...I blame my stupid body all the time! 4 m/c's and only one decided to come out on its own. But my body likes to hold on to things. I don't even bleed with my periods, it only comes out when I go to the washroom.
I had to have two D&Cs for my last loss. Well I guess it isn't my last loss now, but my 2nd loss.
TMI-
I was bleeding VERY heavily about 2w after my first D&C. The u/s showed a ton of retained tissue. I had an emergency D&C that day. In the mean time while I was waiting I began to pass tissue. The size was remarkable, about as big as my hand. AND THAT WASN"T EVEN ALL OF IT.
I wasn't willing to let it pass on its own. I wanted it over.
I pray that yours is done and the u/s shows that everything is over and done with. Its a nightmare to keep going thru this and being reminded of our losses.
__________________ DX with PCOS ~ 11/1/05
~1500mg Metformin
MFI, did 3 failed IUIs
IVF/ICSI #1-m/c at 5w
IVF/ICSI #2-m/c, hb seen at 6w2d, no hb seen at 8w1d. Two D&Cs needed
FET #1-m/c at 5w4d
Taking a break, IVF #3 in the fall
TTC#1 since June 2005
Wow, that's a LOT of retained tissue! The OB said mine was about the size of the tip of his fingertip. What I passed was very small, but the exact size of what he said it would be.
I don't know for sure what really happened. The bleeding slowed way down, then this afternoon, I had a little bit of a gush, and back to no bleeding. Maybe it was just a bit leftover? I tend to think that if the placenta was still in there, the bleeding would at least be regular? Oh well, we'll find out tomorrow. I'll survive another D&C, but I really, really don't want to have to. Espcially if I lose a lot of blood again and need yet ANOTHER transfusion. Ayayay.
GOOD LUCK, I will be thinking of you. I hope all of it has now gone. Please update the post to let us know you are ok. I have to go in to the doctors for an ultrasound/HCG to see if I'm retaining as well. My bleeding has really slowed but at night I seem to pass some clotting again and have a bit of cramping. I hate this so much. Really puts our bodies through the wringer. Again, wishing you lots of luck with this - hope your ordeal is over.
Hope - I've got the same thing. Last night, I felt like I was bleeding a lot. Really, I think it's because when you sleep and stay still for a few hours, it... builds up, y'know? I had a terrible night trying to sleep, I had nightmares about needing another D&C.
During the day, the bleeding is more like heavy-ish spotting. However, this morning, I passed something that was definitely not a clot. Clots are all roundish and jelly-like, this was more like a flat, round, thing thing that was a lot tougher than a clot. It was easy to look at cuz it was on the TP and I poked at it with a disposable flosser (the things we do... oy).
Is your appointment today? Mine is at 5:00. Hopefully we'll both come back with good news! Let me know how yours goes! *HUGS*
Retained placenta after D&C... *sigh* 
