miscarriage wonder??

I recently found out at 20 weeks preg through ultrasound that the fetus was no longer alive.  And was probably 16 weeks old when stopped developing.  That day they put me into the hostital and gave me an interuteral dose of a abort drug, then when that didn't work a double dose and then a third oral dose of a different kind called something like zylotec Being in hospital for about 48 hours.  Nothing worked, so they sent me home and now I've been going a little crazy with ideas of why it didn't work.  Thinking maybe somehow I'm still pregnant, knowing darn well that's probably impossible.  Anyways I just want to know if anyone had heard of this before, as the doc said it was very unusual.

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

The medication they gave you was Cytotec or Misoprostol.  It has multiple uses, one is for the induction of labor for a midtrimester loss (as you describe).  I'm not sure why they sent you home.  At my institution I've never seen Cytotec not work for labor induction.  If that were to occur, induction of labor with high dose Oxytocin (or pitocin) is another option.  Lastly, a dilation and evacuation is another option (although this will not leave your baby intact).  The sooner you deliver the better, as the longer you carry a demised fetus the greater your risk of infection and problems with blood clotting near the time of your inevitable delivery.  

Best regards,

Dr. Downing