D & C while awake?

Hotzie

It has been a week since the bleeding stopped from my mc.   Last week when I saw the Dr. he said there was some tissue left and we could do a d&c right away or wait a week and see if it clears up on its own.  I decided to wait and see.  Now I have a follow up appt. tomorrow to ensure all the tissue is gone. 

I am really nervous, they told me I would be awake for the d&c which I thought was normal, but after seeing all the post on here about it I am seeing that this is not the case.  It seems that most people who respond to post are not awake or under a little bit for the procedure.

What about those that were awake?  

I'm sorry I am going on and on.  I am just so tired of this and what this to be over with so we can move on and try again 

SweetBaby2004

I am sorry you are going through this!  I know how you feel about wanting to be able to put the experience behind you.

I delivered our son stillborn almost two weeks ago and had to have a D&C today due to tissue remaining (heaving bleeding and clotting with cramps - fun!).  My OB put me under general anesthesia for it and I was not awake.  Her philosophy: I had been through enough and should be comfortable.

Is there any way they can put you under for it?

lotus88

I'm sorry that you have to go through this on top of what you've already been through. I would ask what they mean by "awake".  When discussing my d&e with different docs, some actually referred to it as awake. others not. I think because for the average person, they think of under as anything you don't remember. whereas some of the medical ppl were distinguishing between light and heavy sedation. When I questioned my one doc about the "awake" comment, he said that I would be awake, not remember anything, but not need a breathing tube - as ppl need when they're having a longer surgery. That kind of sedation is much more risky. I didn't remember a thing for my d&e. When I had my wisdom teeth out they used the same stuff.  Apparently I was awake, but with no memory.  I hope that's the case in your scenario.  See what they say when you talk to them, but let them know what you're comfortable with. 

Hotzie

I am sorry for your losses...

Basically I would really be "awake".  They would give me a motrin (sp?) for the pain and I would be awake for the procedure.  They told me I would feel what are very bad cramps then it would be done.  Since I have been miscarrying naturally there isn't much tissue left so it shouldn't be bad.

I really like my Dr. and the and the nurses have been amazing but I can't believe I would be awake when so many stories I read women are "asleep".

This is so stressful and scary.

spacedolphin11

I am so sorry that you have to deal with this - it's bad enough to miscarry; to have to worry about anything else is just mean. I very much understand just wanting everything to be over, and as unfun as a D&C is, at least it accomplishes that. I hope you don't have to have a D&C, but if you do, here's my experience.

I had a D&C while awake today - and I mean fully awake; the only drugs I was on were pain meds and anti-nausea drugs. To be honest, it sucked, but pretty much everything to do with miscarriage sucks, right? : P I found out about my missed miscarriage at 8 weeks; the baby hadn't developed past 6. I waited over a week to see if I would miscarry on my own, but it wasn't happening, so I made the appointment.

Here's how it went for me: after the painkillers kicked in my doctor numbed my cervix with lidocaine (I could feel the needle going in, but it wasn't too bad) and then suctioned out my uterus (I think most D&Cs don't actually curette but use suction instead.) The suction part HURT. I've never given birth but I have pretty severe menstrual cramps, and these cramps blew my 'normal' cramps away. But it only lasted about 2 minutes, and I kept breathing/holding my husband's hand like crazy, and then it was over. I've had a heating pad on my stomach ever since, and the cramps are virtually gone now (though all my girl parts are VERY sore still.)

Though I was awake I couldn't see anything that was happening, and I was VERY thankful for that. (Unfortunately my husband could, so if you have someone with you they should be warned - there could be a lot of blood.) I had an amazing nurse who helped me breathe through the pain and assured me that everything was going to be okay. Actually, my nurse had experienced three miscarriages and a stillbirth (and had to have D&Cs for all her miscarriages), so it was wonderful to talk to someone who completely understood.

Sorry for the essay I just wrote you! : P  I guess I just want to reassure you that a lot of doctors choose to do 'awake' D&Cs because of the risks of general anesthesia, and though they really suck (as I'm sure all D&Cs do) you can get through it, and you'll probably feel better afterward - I was very surprised to find that my blood pressure/heart rate were much lower after the procedure, so even though I was in pain, somehow my body knew I was emotionally relieved to finally get some closure.

Hotzie

Laeci - Thank you so much for your response.  What you went through is what my Dr. was talking about. 

TMI - This morning I woke up with the most painful "cramps" I have ever had.  It was terrible for a couple hours.  I kept thinking I had to go to the bathroom but there was nothing, then all of a sudden more tissue came out.  Since then the cramping has chilled out a bit.  I went to the Dr for the follow up and told him about this morning.  He didn't mention the d & c and wants me to get my betas checked again next week.  He is hopeful that the tissue today was the last of it.

I am praying that this is finally over with.  I just want to move on and after my next cycle try again.  

Thank you all for your responses.