Non Viable Pregnancy

Updated on October 27, 2014
F.B. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
41 answers

Mamas & Papas-

Looks like I've got a non viable pregnancy. At 9 weeks, measuring about 6, no fetal heart beat, no discernable growth between ultrasounds from last week and this week and HCG levels hugging 8K for the last three readings. Feeling sad, but not devastated. My question for those of you who have been through this, or were closely involved with someone who has, is- Should I just wait for my body to miscarry, or should I schedule a d&c or opt for cytotec. Pros & cons of each for those of you who have been through several.

Thanks a bunch.
F. B.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I work full time, and think that the d&c with its certainty, finality, predictability, and easy recovery will likely be my best bet; assuming I don't m/c between now and scheduling same. Thanks for guiding my decision.

Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I have not been through any of what you are talking about. I just want to say that I am thinking about you and I wish you well.

6 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Atlanta on

I can't provide any experience or relevant perspectives; I just want to send good wishes to you and lots of strength for the grieving process.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm sorry, Fang.
Do what you feel is best.
I lost 2 pregnancies at about 9-11 weeks (and O. that I miscarried before I really knew I was pg.) and for me, getting the D&C was my best option. It seemed less traumatic than waiting for things to happen on their own.
Do what you feel is best.

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M.P.

answers from Asheville on

I'm so sorry for your loss...
I chose the D&C. It went very well- I had very little bleeding and cramping and physically was OK in a day or so.
I chose D&C this instead of naturally miscarrying for two reasons- my grandmother had had a massive stroke the day before I found out that the baby had no heart beat. She was going to hospice and I needed to be there for my family. Even though I was reeling and devastated from finding out the pregnancy wasn't viable, I literally had to pick myself off the floor and deal with the other crisis happening in my life.
Secondly, I work full time. The thought of having the miscarriage start while sitting at my desk or in a meeting was just not something I could handle.
In the end, I was glad of the decision I made- simply because the D&C was painless and I had no real issues with recovery from the procedure.

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D.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I had a similar situation at 10 weeks. I waited about 2 weeks, and at that point, the miscarriage hadn't yet happened and emotionally, I couldn't keep waiting - it was too hard - so I had the D&C.

This happened enough years ago that cytotec wasn't an option, so I don't have any insight on that option.

So my advice is to do what feels right to you, emotionally.

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E.B.

answers from Denver on

I also just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to you at this difficult time.

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

My first pregnancy ended in a missed miscarriage. I was supposed to be 11 weeks along, but the embryo measured 9 weeks. My doctor gave me the same three options - wait for body to naturally miscarry, pill, or D&C.

It was an easy choice for me - I chose D&C. I was working full-time, and there was no way I was going to take an indefinite time off work to wait for my body to miscarry naturally and I also wasn't about to go into work with the possibility of miscarriage occuring at work. I've also heard some scary things about the pill, so I wasn't going to do that either. Since you have a young one to care for, you may also want to schedule a D&C so that you can schedule things around it. Plus, if you let your body miscarry naturally, there is a chance that your body won't expel everything it needs to, in which case you'll need a D&C anyway.

6 moms found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

B.,

I'm ssssooo sorry!!!

At this stage? Let it go naturally. It will be like a heavier period and a little clotty. (sorry - there's just no easy way to say it).

If you were further along, I would suggest a D&C. I've not taken the drug. My first went "naturally" - I was 12 weeks. My second was a D&C and I was 22 weeks. I chose NOT to see or hold the baby and to this day - I still regret that. My last was 14 weeks (give or take - no growth) and I did a D&C.

The D&C was fast and "easy" - Didn't have to stress over seeing anything. It was like a normal cycle after the surgery. For the first one, I ended up having a D&C later as it seems it didn't all come out. That was about 2 months after the initial miscarriage.

I'm truly sorry. Please feel free to send me a message. We can talk. You aren't alone!!

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

Been through this many times, best for many reasons to let your body handle it naturally as long as it's within a safe time period and you can handle it mentally... So sorry. :(

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

No personal experience. But, I just wanted to say I'm sorry.

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J.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

I cannot offer you any personal advice as I have not gone through this but want to say how sorry I am to hear this.

Whatever you choose, please give yourself some downtime for your body and heart to heal.

Wishing you peace,

J. F.

4 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

What ever you decide, take care of yourself. Ask for help and support if you need it. So sorry.

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I am so very sorry :(.

My younger sister went through this twice in the last year, unfortunately. The first time she let her body do it's thing and ended up in the ER with basically a manual D&C.

The second time she opted to go and have the procedure done so she didn't go through that again.

I really am so sorry you have to make this decision. I know how hard it was for my sister and I hate for anyone to have to go through this.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Aw, so sorry for your loss :-(

I haven't been through this myself but have several friends (some were also colleagues) who did and most opted for a D&C so that they weren't stuck waiting, which can be emotionally and logistically hard, but at least one felt like she couldn't have yet another procedure done (she had many rounds of IUI and IVF) and felt more at peace letting nature take its course. It's all about what feels right to you and would fit into your life.

Again, so sorry for this and be kind to yourself as you grieve this loss.

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Had a miscarriage in 2002. Was 6 weeks but measuring 4 weeks. No heart beat either. Was not a wanted PG so I didn't feel attached ( i know not everyone's situation) but OB did suggest letting my body naturally take care of it. Would be less invasive and less traumatizing. I would give it maybe another week (if you can emotionally handle it) and see if you can just let it happen. I am so sorry for your loss. Good luck!

4 moms found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Danville on

I wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss.

I had two miscarriages. I opted to let them go naturally, without any issues. I would keep in touch with your doc though. There can be complications. If there is a fever, for example, call your doc. Mine were MANY years ago, so there may be newer protocols.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

3 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

No advice. Just sorry for the news.

3 moms found this helpful

T.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

Oh B., so sorry to read this.
I have no advice, just wanted to offer my sympathies for what you are going through.

T.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

No advice... I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I hope whichever path you take brings you peace. I'm praying for a safe outcome for you regardless.

I also want to tell all of our other posters who have (and have not) been through this that your advice to B. has been so kind and thoughtful (and I am sorry for your losses as well).

It is responses like the ones here that keep me coming back to Mamapedia.

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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

For me, I am soooo happy that I went with a D&C. It was just easier to grieve without having to go through the waiting and the physical pain of the natural miscarriage process. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Huggs

3 moms found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Reno on

I am so sorry for you. I went through this once and I chose to do the D&C.
For me, I knew that was no hope for the pregnancy and I wanted to just move forward and they could not give me a time frame when I would miscarry, I did not want to prolong the inevitable and I wanted to start to heal.

Again I am sorry for your loss.
Many blessings

2 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Hello,

So sorry for your loss. I went through this two years ago. I opted for the D&C. Right before the procedure, the doctor explained that he removes most of the "products of conception" but leaves a little behind and it comes out naturally. Well, let's just say I might as well have never had the D&C. About 5 days after the procedure, I had horrible cramping and pressure for a day or so, and then my body expelled the remainder of what was there. If I could make the decision again, I'd have waited for nature to take it's course.

Best wishes.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I knew a woman who had an ancephalic baby. She wanted to abort, rather than wait to miscarry, or deliver and have to watch it die, but her priest told her that if she did, she would damn her soul.
I would say have the d&c, and let your body start healing itself as soon as possible.

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T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

My cousin had a non viable pregnancy last Spring. She had a D&C and an autopsy for the baby. She was 11 weeks pregnant. She wanted to know what happened to the baby to determine if she should try again. She was at peace when she found out results. You can ask for an autopsy if this will help you.

Sorry for you loss.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I have no advice, just wanted to offer you sympathy and <<<hugs>>> so sorry :-(

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

I am very sorry for your loss :-( sending you a hug.

I've had this happen to two different friends. One had a d and c, the other just waited. I don't think it really makes a difference.

I myself miscarried at 8 weeks. It was terrible cramps and a day on the couch with heavy blood. When I went in a week later for an ultrasound, there was nothing to clean out.

I'd probably let nature take it's course, if it was me.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

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❤.I.

answers from Albuquerque on

So sorry. I had a missed miscarriage at around 11 weeks (passed around 9 weeks). I decided to wait and let my body handle it naturally. It really is a personal decision. The thing with waiting is it could happen anytime without notice. Mine came on about 2 a.m. so that was fortunate. If I had been working I may have made a different choice. Take care.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I'm so sorry. I would go with whatever works for you and your family. Hugs to you!

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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I had many miscarriages (6) before my dd. If it's not bothering you, I would wait for it to expel on its own. On one of my miscarried pregnancies, the fetal tissue continued to grow even though it wasn't viable and they were worried about a molar pregnancy. I had a D&C and it wasn't a molar, but it felt good to get it out because it was causing nausea.
It takes a while for HcG to get out of your system and go down, so it may take a while for it to expel.

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

I am so sorry you are going through this. You sound very strong and trying to be rational through the emotions.

My cousin had a few of these. In each situation, they waited a little bit to see what would happen naturally, but if it wasn't fairly soon, she went ahead with the D&C because of the strain on her body and emotions. She had a number of medical problems related to infertility so that may have been part of the reason they didn't wait too long. I'd say, barring medical indications, to do what you need to to end this sad chapter.

I'm shocked by the post below where the doctor removed most of the pregnancy but left some behind. I never heard of that - when I worked in a women's medical department, that was considered a "complication" and never anything that was done on purpose.

Take good care of yourself.

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K.H.

answers from Odessa on

I'm so, so sorry this is happening. Prayers going up for you and your family.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

So sorry you're going through this. I'd let it happen naturally if possible. If it doesn't then it's time to treat it medically.

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B.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I went the DC route when I lost ours at 10 weeks. It provided the closure that I, and my husband needed. All the best to you, your husband, and your DS at this difficult time. May time give you healing and peace the whole family will need.

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D.D.

answers from New York on

No advice just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry you are going through this. Its sad.

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E.J.

answers from Chicago on

I have no advice.

I just want to say I am sorry you are going through this.

Please take care of yourself, extra pampering and time for yourself, and hoping for a safe outcome for which ever you choose.

Hugs {( )}

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Aw. So sorry to hear. Be sure to take some time to get some TLC for yourself. Take care.

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M.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

So sorry you are going through this. Sending hugs and prayers your way!

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this- sending positive thoughts that everything goes smoothly and your recovery is quick.
Hugs.

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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

Sorry B.. :-(

I'd go with what your doctor recommends.

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D.P.

answers from New York on

This happened to me too. My doctor gave me this medicine that causes cramping and made me pass everything. It hurt a little when I first took the medicine, like bad diarrhea cramps. But after everything passed, I felt totally fine. Personally, I would not have a surgical procedure unless I had to. Good luck to you.

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H.L.

answers from New York on

I think you should wait and let it pass naturally. Either way its going to happen so you might as well let it happen on its own. Sorry for your loss.

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