Beta Numbers

Here are the blood test results after my retained POC was diagnosed in mid-August.

543 on 8/12

259 on 8/17

145 on 8/23

78 on 9/1

46 on 9/10

These were some of the more useful links that I've found in understanding what was going on with my blighted ovum/early miscarriage. I thought I would share.

GENERAL MISCARRIAGE

Understanding Miscarriage

Early Pregnancy Loss

Miscarriage Explained

Early Miscarriage

Miscarriage and PCOS

Missed Abortion

Post-partum Bleeding (lochia)

Miscarriage Information


BLIGHTED OVUM

Blighted Ovum

Blighted Ovum

Anembryonic gestation


DILATION AND CURETTAGE - D&C

Dilation and curettage

Dilation and curettage 2


MEDICAL MANAGEMENT (DRUGS)

Methotrexate For Noncancerous Conditions (Systemic)

Pharmaceutical Induction - Pitocin and Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Medical Abortions

Completing A Miscarriage


I found this study that was published earlier this year and it was interesting because it was both effective, used a lesser dosage than is commonly used in the US currently for abortion purposes and had fewer side effects.

Medical management of first trimester miscarriage (blighted ovum and missed abortion): is it effective?


NATURAL INDUCTION – NOT RECOMMENDED

I did find this link with information from midwives on ways to medically complete a "missed abortion".

Completing A Miscarriage

Here's someone's reading list from Amazon.com on herbal abortions -- no I don't recommend going that route, I found some other links that talks about how toxic it is for the mother.


RETAINED TISSUE

Detection of retained products of conception following spontaneous abortion in the first trimester

GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE/ MOLAR PREGNANCY

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease


Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (Sloan Kettering)


"Of utmost importance is careful follow-up with serum beta HCG (BHCG) weekly until less than 100 mIU/mL and then every two weeks. The patient should have a careful pelvic examination every other week and a chest x-ray every 4-6 weeks. Once the titer of serum BHCG has fallen to normal levels, these two examinations need no longer be done; however, BHCG titers need to be repeated every 2 weeks for 3 months, then monthly for 3 months, then every 2 months for 6 months, then every 6 months for 3 years. Each patient should be counseled in the use of a reliable birth control method." (from the NIH site)


"Women should be advised to avoid pregnancy until hCG levels have been normal for six months following evacuation of a molar pregnancy and for one year following chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic tumour. The combined oral contraceptive pill is safe for use by women with GTT (III-C)."
(from: http://sogc.medical.org/sogcnet/sogc_docs/common/guide/pdfs/ps114.pdf)

Embolization of Bleeding Residual Uterine Vascular Malformations in Patients with Treated Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors


Molar Pregnancy



GRIEVING, SUPPORT & RECOVERY

http://www.pregnancyloss.info/

SHARE – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support

Pregnancy After Miscarriage (PAM)

Hygeia Foundtation & Institute for Perinatal Loss and Bereavement

Coping with the 5 stages of grief and bereavement

October 15th - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

What is Grief?

I had the option of scheduling the d&c with the other doc this week but I've never seen her and I really like my RE. He's out of town this week. With a "missed abortion" it can take until weeks 10-16 for the body to recognize that the pg isn't happening I understand. For some women that won't happen at all and their bodies just keep increasing the production of HCG.

No, I don't have any signs that anything is subsiding, it is a little tiring and the worst is that being around other pg people I think to myself "I'm pg too, but not with a baby" -- it is a little isolating.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to hire some painters to patch and paint our hallway/stairwell, dining room and living room. Our house is from 1906 and the walls need some repair. I would do it but my neck always goes into spasm if I do too much since I've had whiplash twice. I better start calling around today to start getting quotes. Hopefully I'll get pg again soon but I wouldn't want to be around the paint fumes in early pg so I better use this TTC break wisely.

I asked my partner yesterday and he said that he did want to start trying again as soon as we're able to. My goal is to be pg by the time I have my next dental appointment right before Christmas since they know and I would hate to have to tell them that it didn't work out.

I had a transvaginal u/s, the 5th one I've had in the past couple years. The sac was well defined, in the fibroid you can see tissue details. My period is like clockwork and I've never missed a period since I started menstruating in 1984. I also was charting and my CF was really clear as to when ovulation was, I either ovulated on May 23 or 24.

I really don't think there is anything growing inside of me beside the sac. The doctor even said, with someone who is so clear on the dates (and I have been charting since April 02) there should be a well sized embryo with a heartbeat at this point. I just don't see how it could have been missed although I have heard of doctors missing women's small fibroid on u/s as well. I do have a follow-up u/s scheduled for next wednesday since the doctor said they don't dx blighted ovum with just one u/s.

I emailed my acupuncturist and he said it was best to work with my RE on this part. I'm hoping that my body won't be stubborn and that stopping my progesterone suppositories will help to end things naturally. I had felt a shift in my hormones this week anyway, perhaps if I am lucky it was a reduction in HCG production.

I did find this link with information from midwives on ways to medically complete a "missed abortion".

Completing A Miscarriage
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/miscrg.html#Completing

Here's someone's reading list from Amazon.com on herbal abortions -- no I don't think I'll be going that route, I found some other links that talks about how toxic it is for the mother.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/3HF72ORQ4LT0R/104-7136724-1655966

That term "missed abortion" doesn't bother me as much as "miscarriage" (or as much I expected it would) since my mother had three miscarriages before she had us three kids and besides to me, right now, that term "miscarriage" sounds like I did something wrong and I don't think I did.

It is not even 5am yet and here I am awake again to the reality. When I woke up I had my left hand laid across my uterus. I guess this is even bothering me in my sleep.

blighted ovum - pregnant with nothing

I had an u/s this afternoon which showed a good-sized gestational sac but nothing inside of it. The doctor was relieved that I already knew what it was -- a blighted ovum (aka anembryonic gestation). I feel so perplexed though, human condition-psychologically challenged and all that. I went from pg to pg with nothing. I'm still pg and my body is still hormonally chugging along.

Having to tell the group of family and friends what has happened will have its own challenges and I wonder if I can tell them in email or a letter. Right now though I'm just wishing I could get off this train to nowhere and just have my body be normal again.

My partner was shocked because he didn't know that such a thing could happen at all. I feel bad for him, he was so excited about our pregnancy.

There are lots of good things about this, I know some of you who have had recurrent losses probably don't feel that way even if you ever could -- I'm sure I would feel the same way myself. My list of good things:

1. I got to be pg for 3 weeks
2. I got to stop being a fertility-challenged person for a few weeks
3. I got to stop worrying about my fibroid and how it might be impacting my fertility
4. We proved that our equipment worked
5. We did it without medical intervention
6. We didn't have to do IUI in July as planned
7. I got to miss my 7-day period for once in my life
8. I've learned more about the amazing process of gestation first-hand
9. I was waiting until this u/s to tell people at work so I don't have to now
10. I get to be me again for a while (if the sadness doesn't overtake me).

My sincerest condolences to everyone who has to go through this.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get my body to flip the switch and change tracks? I contacted my acupuncturist already and hope to see him next week. Maybe he will give me some Chinese herbs to take. Please help me.

My worst day ever

My u/s didn't go well this afternoon. I have a well sized gestational sac but it looked empty as anything. It looks to be a blighted ovum. I'm a little bummed right now, packing up my stuff at work to work from home tonight.

I have a follow-up u/s next week just to be sure but I think it is over.