Infection after D&C

WannaBAmama

Hi. I had a D&C last Thursday for a blighted ovum. I have been feeling very swollen and tender in my abdomin, no fever, no foul oder or any thing. I went back to the doctor today because I was in tears this morning with how tender my abdomin is. My doctor pressed on my belly and I nearly jumped out of my skin it hurt so bad. She said I have an infection. I wish I would have asked her more questions when I was there. I have to be on antibiotics for 7 days and she told me to call if i'm not feeling better in 24 hours.

Ive been trying to look up infection after d&c online and I can't really find much about it. Has anyone had any experience with infections after a d&c? I feel stupid asking this but it's an infection in my uterus, right???? can this cause fertility issues?? I just really wish I asked her more about it while I was there. I'm really frustrated right now.

tdmd09

You're right that this usually indicates an infection in your uterus (or your cervix, but with your symptoms I'd say uterus). I had an infection after my first D&C. I had a lot of abdominal pain especially when using the bathroom, and one day I did have a fever and body aches. I went on antibiotics for 7-10 days and was fine. My OB said there is a risk of impacting fertility if any scar tissue forms, but I was able to get pregnant 4 cycles after my loss. And my most recent m/c was caused by Down Syndrome and not at all related to any concerns with my uterus.

I hope you start feeling better soon. ((hugs)) 

jenwill

Ditto PP re: possible scar tissue. There's a chance of it, but I wouldn't worry about it really. Just curious-did you get antibiotics during you d&c? I got IV antibiotics during the procedure, then one dose of oral antibiotics to take later that night to prevent getting an infection.

HopingforChange

I am so sorry you have to experience this complication on top of everything else.  PPs are, of course, right about the scar tissue.  But, that's a risk with any D and C, even without infection (though, clearly, infection is a negative experience...as well as painful and un-fun ), and isn't very likely from what I understand--hope that helps.  I hope you are feeling better very soon.

MrsSilky

Truly, there are no stupid questions when it comes to the loss of your baby and the healing of your body.  For reassurance you can call your OB's nurse line and ask them to relay your questions to your doctor. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this on top of everything else.

WannaBAmama

Thank you for the responses. I called today to ask some questions. I feel like I don't get all of my questions answered when the nurse relays them back to my OB. Good news is I asked if i'm not feeling better by tomorrow can I have an ultrasound and she got back to me and said she put in orders for me to get an ultrasound in radiology and I just need to call either tomorrow or monday if I'm not feeling better. Truthfully- even if I am feeling better I'm calling for the ultrasound anyways. I need the piece of mind that the infection is gone and that she got everything out during the d&c. It really surprises me that they don't routinely do ultrasounds after d&c's to make sure everything is ok. My sister in law is a physicians assisitant and she told me I should have demanded an ultrasound yesterday when she told me I have the infection.

I had an ultrasound in radiology to confirm the blighted ovum a few weeks ago and the radiologist was awesome. Even though I was there for such a horrible reason she told me so much about my uterus and overies and walked me through everything she was looking at and checking for and she totally reassured me that, besides the blighted ovum, everything else looked fine. So I don't really care if I do feel better or not I will be making the appointment for the ultrasound to confirm that everything is ok after the d&c and infection.