Really sorry if this is triggering for anyone not sure where to go for advice. Just had our 7 week viability scan and they’ve confirmed an empty pregnancy sac. This was our first round of IVF so still new to it all.
Been told I have to go to an EPU to confirm this and they will get in touch. Can anyone let me know what will happen next? Do I have to wait long for EPU and then how long before full miscarriage?
Thanks in advance for anyone that can help.
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Han10
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Typically you will either be referred to EPU or you can phone and make an appt (depends where you are in the country some work differently to others). You will likely be seen pretty quickly (normally in the next day or so).
It can all vary from there, if they feel the sac is a good size and there is a chance they might scan you and then ask you to wait two weeks and go for a rescan. If they think that this is definitely a missed miscarriage then you will be given options: either wait to miscarry, take some pills or have surgery. There are pros and cons of all of them. I have always had surgery for my MMC so if you have any questions about that then don't hesitate to message me
I'm so sorry hon. I'm not in the UK, so can't advise on how things work re EPU etc, but when the missed miscarriage is confirmed you'll be told to stop meds and often this is enough to provoke bleeding. Then when bleeding has stopped you'll have to have another scan to check there are no vestiges. So you might well not need any interventions and it will sort itself out, hopefully this is the case as it can be even more upsetting when the situation drags on. Sending you big hugs xxx
When I had a negative viability scan at 10.5 weeks (not through IVF) I called my EPU and they gave me advice. As I had started lightly spotting (which is why I had the scan) they advised I stay at home, but advice could be different for you. They may want to do another scan first to confirm.
Again, similar to Daisy if you have any questions with a natural miscarriage feel free to message me directly.
Hi Han, I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope you have some support around you as it's not an easy time at all.
I went through this a few months ago and can confirm what Daisy says above. You should be seen very soon by the EPU for a scan.
It's likely that you'll then have to wait to be scanned again with the EPU to confirm what is happening as they may have certain protocols that are automatically triggered when there is an empty gestational sac. Well, at least they did in my case. This is because in a non-IVF conception, people might have their dates wrong and the scan is just too early (and the protocols aren't set up for knowing your exact dates via IVF). I found this waiting time very hard to deal with, personally, but I also didn't know it was coming in advance so hopefully this advice helps.
My clinic had to advise when to stop medication as the EPU would not give a view. It's likely you will start bleeding a few days after you stop your medication and you might miscarry naturally then. I ended up opting for surgery but also did not miscarry naturally while I waited for that. So it's quite variable.
Sorry, this is probably a lot to take in but please let us know if you have any questions as there's (unfortunately) quite a bit of experience on here. I'm also here if you'd like to DM me.
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