Unexpected Heavy Bleeding During D&C: A Patient's Experience

Question
I started my period on Nov 19, 2007 went to the doctor after 2 weeks of bleeding and found out I was pregnant then on Dec 12th, 2007 miscarried and continued on with my period still from Nov on Jan 3rd went to have a D&C done and just as the surgeon had dilated my cervix I started spouting blood like a water hose. Overall I lost about half of the blood in my body while the surgeon tried to complete the surgery as quickly as possible. He had said that he had never seen blood spray like this and didn't know why it did. I had a sonogram done during surgery and the doctor stated that there were several masses what can this be and he is not sure if it was a baby or not,I am not sure why a pregnancy test would say I was pregnant if I wasn't.  I had to recieve a blood transfusion of 2 units can someone please answer what happened to me.

Answer
Dear Yvonne

It is hard to diagnose your case retrograde. In all these cases, a biopsy of the tissue curetted should be sent for histopathological examination. There is always some tissue mixed with blood which makes a diagnosis.

Generally speaking, you may have had a pregnancy, an incomplete abortion that was retained inside for some time or you may have had hypofibrinogenemia or what is called dissimintaed intravascular coagulation (DIC) which is a very serious condition. However, DIC may occur if you have a dead embryo/or fetus inside for a peiod of 4 weeks, although it can occur earlier. Also uterine submucous fibroid can be a possibility and this appears on ulltrasound as massees.

I would recommend a repeat ultrasound with an experienced sonographer.

Good luck