Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
Karen had an MVA after medical management wasn’t successful.
Having a miscarriage is devastating but the MVA was the least stressful option for me in these difficult circumstances.
I had a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks. I had noticed some very light discharge and a subsequent scan revealed that my baby had died. I was devastated. The hospital staff were very caring and carefully explained the options available to me. I opted for the medical management as I was not keen on having a surgical procedure. Unfortunately, the medical process didn’t work fully and a scan later revealed that retained tissue was still present.
Unfortunately, most hospitals only offer a surgical procedure under a general anaesthetic in this scenario. I really couldn’t face this prospect along with the pain of losing a baby. It was then that I found out about a procedure called Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA), which is carried out under a local anaesthetic. So, I decided that this was best option for me.
On the day of the operation, I had some blood tests and the nursing staff explained that the procedure would take around 10 minutes. I was told that it would be painful but that this should subside fairly quickly afterwards. I was given some pain killers beforehand and also a tablet vaginally to help soften the neck of the womb.
At the start of the procedure, I was given a local anaesthetic injection in my cervix. The main part of the procedure took around one to two minutes. The nursing staff were fantastic and really caring. Everyone’s experience is different but fortunately I experienced only moderate discomfort (similar to period pain) for a very short time. I stayed on the ward for one hour afterwards so that nursing staff could monitor my blood pressure and temperature – which were all fine. I was able to leave the hospital without any of the drowsiness or grogginess that often follows a general anaesthetic and I was able to resume normal activities the following day.
Having a miscarriage is devastating but the MVA was the least stressful option for me in these difficult circumstances. I am still coming to terms with the emotional aspects of the loss but I feel happier knowing that the physical aspects have been resolved now.