D&E question - laminaria?

epphd

Hi everyone,

We just found out that our pregnancy is not going to work out. I'm currently 11.5 weeks, and my doctor recommended a D&E  for next week.  I just got the schedule for the procedures.  I guess they do laminaria placement two sequential days in a row, then the actual procedure on the third day.  Has anyone experienced this?  Is the laminaria placement painful? 

I guess I'm glad I planned to take the week off to grieve.  I'll be spending most of it actually going through this sucktacular process.

Thanks for your insight.

 

catwhisperers4292

Hi,  I had a myomectomy performed a little over a year ago to remove some very large fibroids.  I had to have a laminaria placed the day before so that they could insert a scope through my cervix for the procedure... I'm not going to lie, it wasn't pleasant, had some cramping and such, as the laminaria continues to expand while inserted.  I ended up taking some Ibuprofin for the pain, and it was tolerable. 

 So sorry to hear about your loss.  Good luck in the future...

kthappy76

I don't have any experience w/D&E, just wanted to say I'm very sorry you are going through this.

Gummybear

I am so sorry you are going through this.

I had my D&E at 16.5w (baby was measuring 17w). I only had one day of laminaria. I will be honest since I wish I had known more than "it will be uncomfortable". For me, it was the worst part of the entire procedure (physical). I found it very painful and almost barbaric. Now, this could have been due to the fact that just hours earlier I had been told my baby was dead, so I was in a state to begin with, or due to the fact that I have a cervix of steel that would not dialate despite 24 hours of pitocen with DD, but it was bad, for me. Basically a lot of pressure and shoving hard to get them in. It felt very intrusive. Other people I have talked about this with have not felt it was as traumatic as I.

If God forbid, I need to do it again ever, I will ask for a Valium or Xanax of some sort prior. Lots of hugs. I hope you don't mind me being graphic and honest, I don't want to scare you, but I think it's good to know all kinds of experiences. ((hugs))

msgde2shus

I just had my 2 day D&E 10 days ago.  I was extremely worried about the laminaria insertion after reading many stories, but honestly it was not as bad as I imagined.  I only had a one day insertion and the surgery was the following morning.  First, they gave me a shot in my uterus to try and numb it.  The shot did not hurt - although there was a pinching.  The insertion of the laminaria (they inserted 7 or 8 of them in me) was uncomfortable and there was some initial cramping when they inserted it, but I was able to breathe through it and hold my husbands hand and that really helped.  The doctors and nurses were very comforting and nice.  They inserted some gauze inside to try and keep the laminaria in place - that fell out the first time I had to urinate.  There was a tiny bit of bleeding the rest of the day.  I started to have some bad cramping within an hour of insertion, but I took Advil the rest of the day and it was tolerable.  Overall, the laminaria wasn't as bad for me as I have heard it has been for others.  Good luck to you.  The grief and emotional turmoil was by far the worst part of the whole experience.  I'm thinking of you.

epphd

Ugh, thank you.  I really do appreciate the honest info - I'll ask about some sort of tranquilizer, though I suspect that's part of the plan since I have to have a driver both days.  Still, good to know to expect to be out of commission that day. Thanks again.

fireflies0306

Gummybear:

 I will be honest since I wish I had known more than "it will be uncomfortable". For me, it was the worst part of the entire procedure (physical). I found it very painful and almost barbaric. ((hugs))

we found out about our baby boy's demise around 21 w.  b/c i wasn't dilating, i had to also have the laminarias placed.  and as quoted above, it is more than uncomfortable.  it was awful!  and i wish someone had told me just how bad it would be.  i almost broke DH's hand as they were inserting them.  i had 3 inserted...one sunday night (i was having contractions and we were hoping maybe i would dialate), one monday morning, and a third tuesday morning.  by tuesday's "session" i was pushing it out without realizing it.

i had the dr prescribe vicodin for the pain b/c it was terrible!  it was like menstrual cramps on steriods.  i don't want to scare you, b/c after its all over, it is nothing but a bad dream.  but by monday i was smart, and i brought my ipod to listen too and help concentrate on something besides the pain.  

also, after the d & e, the worse pain was from being intubated, my neck was really sore.  the vicodin didn't even touch that pain though.  the only thing that worked was a heating pad and tylenol. (i had my d & e the wednesday before thanksgiving).

i wish i could give you more advice.  we sat home, watching the harry potter movies while i sat in the recliner with a heating pad, and vicodin until the d & e.  

but it'll be over quickly--i am so sorry you have to go through this!!!!

{{{very big hugs}}} and i'll be thinking of you!!! 

sdlaura

I had a D&E at 21 weeks on 1/12.  I found the babycenter.com termination for medical reasons board's "Shared D&E experiences" to be really helpful in terms of what to expect.  There are dozens of women that have shared their stories in the thread.  Here is the link:

https://community.babycenter.com/post/a710825/shared_de_experiences

My experience is listed toward the end of the thread.

I'm so sorry for your loss.