Fetus dead for 3 weeks, still have not miscarried. How long should it take?

Hi, I am 9wks 3days. With my first US at 6wks I was told I would miscarry. I have had 2 more since and the fetus has not measured over 6wks. There has never been a heartbeat and I have an enlarged yolk sac. After 3 US I was pretty confident there is no chance of keeping this baby. I am scheduled for a D&C in a few days, but it seems odd that it's been 3wks and I have not shed the uterus contents. has anyone had a similar story or know if this is normal. I'm scared to have a D&C if there's any chance of holding onto this baby......

[RockRose]

My first blighted ovum was miscarried at 10 weeks,  I had no idea before that there was a problem - I hadn't had a US,  but it appeared my embryo maybe was living for the first two weeks,  if that.  My doc at the time said this is actually a good sign for future pregnancies - your body wants to hang on to this pregnancy.  Sometimes there's something sadly wrong with the embryo,  sometimes it's a combination of fertility issues with the embryo and the mother,  and sometimes mothers have a hard time holding on to healthy embryos.

You seem to fall into the first category.  Your body is geared up and hanging on.  

Is there some reason you have to go for a D&C?  My second miscarriage (after two healthy boys) I could feel I had lost the embryo but we just waited for it to happen naturally.  You will recover physically and emotionally better that way, you won't have any doubts whether you could have held the pregnancy,  and your uterus won't go through the trauma of a D&C.  

Best wishes.

[Christy_critters]

Thank you for your reply. It def made me feel better. I have debated a natural miscarriage, but the last 3wks has been torture. Anytime I have a little discharge I'm panic stricken running to the bathroom. Emotionally I'm not sure if I can waitfor it tonaturally occur. I'm not one to normally go a clinical route, but my Dr advised I would get back on sch faster and I could end up needing D&C anyway if I don't shed all of the tissue. It seemed inevitable so that's why I chose that route.

[RockRose]

Um hm.  It IS hard to wait.  I certainly agree.

Maybe this delayed miscarriage has some small part to do with your mindset.  I think it's pretty clear that this pregnancy has ended.  I wonder if you could emotionally let go of it,  to look forward to the signs that you are miscarrying, instead of panicking,  and look for them and hope and pray for them,  this would end sooner and naturally.  I know that's hard to say to your body,  let go.  Just let go.  

The alternative is facing a D&C,  and you can only do a limited number of them before you face fertility issues with your uterus having been scraped.  

Best wishes and prayers for you.  Whatever you think is best,  will be best for you in the long run.   I know this is hard.

[Christy_critters]

RockRose - definitely an insightful view of how I'm handling it (not letting go). Invert much appreciate your input and have a lot to think about. I willmlet you know how it turns out. Thanks again.

[RockRose]

You're welcome.  Prayers this goes okay for you,  Christy.  Looking back,  I remember walking around the house during the middle of the night and  sitting on the staircase in my house in the wee hours and just rocking and crying.    What you're going through is just so very hard.  It will pass,  and prayers you will have healthy happy babies to follow - signs certainly point to that happening.