D&C- What to expect?

klbowie

I was diagnosed with a missed miscarraige back on March 30.  I took Cytotec to induce the miscarraige.  We thought I had passed all the tissue (even did an ultrasound to confirm) but my recent hCG levels went back up.  The doctor thinks there is still retained tissue in my uterus so she has scheduled a D&C for me next Wednesday.  For those that have experienced a D&C can you tell me what to expect?

dmgalley25

I am so sorry for your loss. I had a d&c a month ago. It was quick and pretty much painless (physically) I was 8 wks, but the baby stopped growing at 6. I was in an out in under 4 hours. I was asleep. I had no bleeding at all and very mild cramps for only a few days after. From what I have read most people do tend to have some bleeding for at least a few days after. I hope it goes well for you.

kpowers982

Honestly, it's not bad at all.  I was terrified to have a D&C.  The procedure is very quick, and you will wake up very quickly afterwards.  They will monitor you for a little while after you wake up, give you some pain meds, and send you home.  I checked in to the surgery center at 7, and was in the car on the way home before 10:00.  You will be very tired and groggy all day and just sleep.  I had no bleeding or cramping after the procedure, although for the first 2 days, my vaginal/cervical area felt raw and it hurt to sit upright/put pressure on it - a couple of people told what I described sounded like how it feels after giving birth.  But I took the IB profen they gave me, and the vicodin, and I was fine.  I had the surgery on a Wednesday and By Saturday morning, I physically felt like nothing had happened....no more pains meds needed.

You will be okay.  Trust me.  I am the biggest scaredy cat in the entire world and God forbid if I had to have another one I would not be scared.  Just make sure and take it easy for the first few days.  Good luck!

Rachaeleigh

Sorry for your loss. I've had 1 natural mc and 2 d&c and unless suggested otherwise by my dr, I'd choose d&c over natural again if I had to (Fx neither you or I have to choose again!) I found the pain and physical recovery to be minimal. Hugs to you

punky917

I am so sorry for your loss. I just had mine on Tuesday. The procedure itself i about 15 minutes and I was under general anesthesia. They told me to expect some cramping and bleeding, but if it is more than 2 pads in 2 hours, then I should call the doctor. There should also be no blood clots. They also said that I can have prescription medication for pain, but since I wasn't feeling any I decided not to take it. I have had to take 3 ibuprofen one time and I have had more cramping today, but nothing painful.I also have some light bleeding still.

I hope everything goes well. T&P to you.

kmcp

It was physically a very easy recovery, and I do not do well with pain, blood etc.  I was so upset and anxious that they gave me something while waiting in pre op, which definitely helped.  I remember going into the ER and getting up on the table...and then waking up in recovery.  I wasn't offered narcotics, and I took ibuprofin 2xs during recovery.  I had minimal cramping and bleeding. 

Good luck.

mhubbar5

For me, my D&C was the easiest part of the whole mc experience. After waiting for weeks, cytotec (x3) and a trip to the ER bleeding to death, the D&C was a welcomed relief. The longest part of it is all the pre op stuff. I was in and out and on my way home in just a ffew hours. I had no post op bleeding, just a little cramping and my cervix hurt ( the same cervix pain you get after having a baby ) But after a few days I was feeling better and it felt good knowing the whole messy situation was finally over and done with.  I am sorry for your loss but good luck with your D&C... ((HUGS))

+azure+

I'm so sorry for your loss

I just had one on Thursday and it wasn't too bad.  I am glad I chose a D&C over meds or a natural m/c, because the waiting is hard and the closure of a D&C was helpful for me.

My surgery was at 12:30pm so I got to the hospital around 10:30am, checked in, and they did all of the pre-op stuff--took bloodwork, hooked up my IV, signing papers, etc.  The hardest part of that was signing the consent papers and what I wanted the hospital to do with the remains.  My H was with me the whole time until I went into surgery.  The doctor was running late so I didn't go in until close to 1:00pm, but after they wheeled me back and the anesthesiologist started the drugs, I don't remember anything until I woke up in recovery.  I had some bright red bleeding and cramping right after the procedure, so they gave me Percocet, which helped with the cramps but made me nauseous.  I had some peanut butter toast and Sprite in recovery, and that helped some with the nausea as long as I stayed sitting or laying down.  My H was with me again in Recovery Phase 2 (I think that's what they called it). I was there for about 1.5 hours, but I think it only took so long because I was having cramps and the nurse ended up calling my doctor to get an Rx for pain meds.  We were d/c about 4:00pm and I felt pretty good by then, but was still nauseous if I tried to get up and move around the rest of the day.

The nausea continued into Friday morning, but I went to work and it seemed to subside by lunchtime.  I have felt good this weekend.  I'm still having light red spotting when I wipe, but haven't needed a pad since Friday.  No cramps either. I am supposed to go back for a 2-week f/u appt with my doctor in two weeks, no sex or tampons until then.

Good luck, I hope all goes smoothly for you!

annetastic071710

I'm so sorry for your loss and that you have been dealing with this since March, yikes!

 My story is very similar to yours, Dr. recommend Cytotec (which I hate more than any drug ever) and it didn't work. My level went back up as well and there was a bunch of crap just hanging out up there. All that bleeding and cramping just to go have it done for me weeks later!

 I think the D&C was the 18th day after the inital miscarriage and it was the easiest day of them all! The only hard part for me was not eating. I agree with most of the PP on how it went.

God forbid it happens again, but I will never ever take Cytoec...sign me up for a D&C!