Misoprostol and Miscarriage #3

--> (note: it's miscarriage #3 if you don't count the chemical pregnancy I had way back in my IUI days.)

We decided to use the drug Misoprostol to complete this miscarriage. We could plan around it, set aside time, and not have another huge hospital bill (We paid $8 for the prescription). I was nervous about being 9.5 + weeks because misoprostol is most effective before 8 weeks, but the alternatives are just as nerve wracking, right? And this way I can say that I have experienced all three options for completing a miscarriage: waiting for a natural miscarriage, a natural miscarriage that later required a d&c, and now, the drug.

Ha, what am I bragging about, exactly?

Right. Miscarriage. F and I decided that an overnight miscarriage would be the least disruptive for Baby G. F could make sure I was doing okay and Baby G could sleep right through it. Our breastfeeding routine would not be disrupted either.

I was prescribed four doses of 400 mcg to be administered vaginally every four hours. I've heard many stories of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with misoprostol when taken orally so I actually requested the vaginal route.

The following is my experience with Misoprostol:

6:45pm: took first dose

8:30pm: mildly crampy.

10:45 pm: red blood. Take 2^nd dose with 200 mg of ibuprofen. Set my alarm for 2:45 am. Go to bed.

2:45am: bleeding has progressed to period-like flow. Mild cramping. Take third dose with another 200 mg of ibuprofen. Go back to bed.

3:30am: Contractions begin. Take another 200 mg of ibuprofen.

4:00am: decide to get up and move around through contractions. Feel a GUSH (very similar to what my water breaking felt like). Soak a pad. Sat on the toilet and passed some clots/tissue. Contractions stopped (or ibuprofen kicked in).

4:30am-6:00 am: cramps, heavy bleeding and passing tissue. HOLY CRAP.

6:45am: everything seems to have passed. Take the last dose of 400 mcg misoprostol with 200 mg of ibuprofen. Eat a little. Go back to bed.

10:30am: period like bleeding. Feel a little crampy and weak. Take an iron pill and drink a glass of orange juice. Take a shower.

Mildly crampy on and off throughout the day, just like a period. By evening I was feeling much better.

Everything seems to be okay. I went in for a follow up exam with my midwife and my uterus is "a little boggy but not full" (???). We'll start monitoring my Bhcg levels next week. I'm still bleeding as if I'm having a period and so far haven't seen any clots that would indicate an incomplete miscarriage. Fingers crossed. I hope to return to normal very soon.

Being pregnant already seems like a weird dream. I guess I just feel relieved that what's over is over and we can move on.