What would you do - cytotec or D&C (m/c mentioned) UPDATE post 15 July 9

Servilia · #1 July 4th, 2011, 09:22 PM

hi girls.
As you might have read I have been told I have another blighted ovum. I'm going back on Saturday to confirm but in the meantime I have to make a decision on how to handle this medically. My body is holding on to the sac so I have to have intervention again (I used cytotec in September and had to have a D&C in October bc the cytotec didn't fully work; well the D&C didn't fully work either but that's a long story).
A complicating factor is that the RE wants to genetically test the 'products of conception'. As I mentioned, I already had a D&C in October. I have two choices. I can either take the cytotec and collect the products myself and take them to the RE. Obviously messy and possibly traumatic and a lot to worry about. Or I can have a D&C and the hospital would take care of all those messy details. BUT I have already had a D&C and am wondering about whether there's an increased risk of scarring of the uterus because of the two D&Cs. My RE is leaning towards me using the cytotec (less chances of complications) but I don't know.
I've already tried both. With the D&C I know all the details will be taken care of. I'll be put under and will be in and out of the hospital. With the cytotec I have to collect the stuff myself, keep it in my fridge, go through possibly hours of pain and then take it to the RE myself etc.. But I am scared of the D&C giving me scarring and ruining future fertility.
I plan to discuss further with the RE but was wondering what you ladies would do.

JessP · #2 July 4th, 2011, 11:24 PM

I had a D&C for both of my losses. I am now pregnant so it didn't affect me being able to get pregnant or carry if that helps. I personally would have the D&C. I don't think I could handle the collection and such. But that is just me. It was hard enough going for a D&C knowing what they were doing. I was also 15 and 12 weeks so natural wasn't as much an option for me. I am so sorry you are going through another loss but so glad they are going to do testing for you. I pray you get some answers and a healthy stickie bean very soon.

.:Shortcake:. · #3 July 5th, 2011, 03:14 AM

I think I would go the D&C route... just because I think it would be too traumatic for me to have to collect my unborn child and take them to the doctor. ((HUGS)) I am so sorry your having to go through this

lindsey2000k · #4 July 5th, 2011, 04:54 AM

I would normally recomend the pills but in this case i think in would go the d&c route. I would be scared I did not collect the right stuff or something. This way they get what they need to and you don't have to go through the extra emotions.

EJsMommy · #5 July 5th, 2011, 05:17 AM

I am so sorry this is happening. I have had neither but if I had to make that choice I would go with a D&C.

mom2njia · #6 July 5th, 2011, 05:55 AM

I have had two blighted ovums, both lost in the 10th week. I would strongly suggest the d&c. Last time the "products of conception" got stuck in my cervix and the pain was some of the worst I have ever felt and I ended up with a d&c anyway.

luvmykids623 · #7 July 5th, 2011, 06:10 AM

I honestly don't know what I would do. You mentioned being afraid it would affect future fertility, and that would be my worry. I used to be really fertile as far as conceiving went. I was pregnant 5 times all on the first try. I just couldn't stay pregnant very easily. Since the D&C it's been 9 cycles of trying and nothing. We've been trying for a year now because of it. I don't know that the D&C caused that, but I sure have wondered. My RE thinks that I've had an ovulation problem since the beginning, and that it manifested itself as a difficulty in staying pregnant. He thinks that for some reason now it is manifesting itself in an inability to conceive. He hasn't said that the D&C caused the change, because he can't. I'll never really know. If I were you, and I had a D&C and was able to conceive again, I'd probably go the D&C route. Staying pregnant because your body hasn't caught on to the fact that something is wrong is very hard, as you well know. That's why I chose the D&C. I waited 2 weeks, and my body still wasn't understanding it. Also I would worry that I didn't collect everything that the RE would need to test. Not to mention how hard it would be emotionally to do that. I am so sorry that you have to make this decision. It is so unfair that you're back in this spot.

*SamF* · #8 July 5th, 2011, 06:24 AM

I'd lean toward the d&c, especially since the cyotec didn't work well for you before.

I'm so sorry you are going through this again!

joanna26 · #9 July 5th, 2011, 06:39 AM

I would lean towards the D&C as well. I am so sorry sweetie

StaceygirlPa · #10 July 5th, 2011, 07:41 AM

First let me say that I am sorry you are going through another loss. With my last loss my doctor gave me a choice of cytotec or D&C. I was so scared to have another d&c since I had so many compliactions from the first d&c. I had the d&c done. I didn't think I could handle going through lossing the baby on my own and collecting everything on my own. My ob said he didn't scrape me that hard so we can try again for our rainbow baby. Good luck with what you deceide.

melissalaw · #11 July 5th, 2011, 07:47 AM

I am so sorry that you are going through this loss. I would definitely talk to your doctor about the d & c affecting future fertility and if it will not affect it I would do the D & C. Seems like that would be less painful than trying to collect it yourself. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

TnPhotoMama81 · #12 July 5th, 2011, 11:59 AM

If it were me, I would choose the cytotec but It worked like it should the two times I have had to use it. The last time I had to collect the fetus/embryo but used one of those things you put in the toilet to collect urine with and it worked fine.

I don't like the idea of a D&C if I can at all avoid it however in your situation since you have tried both...I really don't know...I just hope if you do go straight for the D&C they get everything out and dont have to go back in or something.

*hugs*

Servilia · #13 July 5th, 2011, 04:40 PM

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and honest responses. I am definitely leaning towards the D&C route because I really don't want to be collecting the remains of the miscarriage but I will discuss the pros and cons of the D&C with my RE before making a final decision. If she says the odds of scarring are low I will go with the D&C. Thanks again you all are the best.

.:Shortcake:. · #14 July 5th, 2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Servilia

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and honest responses. I am definitely leaning towards the D&C route because I really don't want to be collecting the remains of the miscarriage but I will discuss the pros and cons of the D&C with my RE before making a final decision. If she says the odds of scarring are low I will go with the D&C. Thanks again you all are the best.

Please keep us updated hun. I wish so badly you weren't having to go through this.

Servilia · #15 July 9th, 2011, 10:23 AM

UPDATE
I had my final ultrasound this morning and once again it showed an empty sac. A perfectly round, intact 8 weeks sac, right on schedule but with no baby inside, only "debris" which is apparently normal in cases of blighted ovum.
I discussed my options with the RE and we decided on a D&C. Partly based on the fact that cytotec didn't really work last time around at 8 weeks and also because they plan to test any tissue they may find and it will be easier on me not to have to collect it myself and keep it in the fridge. RE told me that since there's no embryo on the u/s there's a high chance they won't find any tissue to test.
She said there is a bit of a higher chance of scarring since I've had a D&C before. She said I should mention my past D&C to the surgeon. She said the chance of scarring in general for the first D&C is 10%. I never knew it was that high and it scared me. As of now I have no scarring from my past miscarriages which is good.

The hospital only does D&Cs on Wednesdays and Fridays. I will find out Monday which day I have to go.