Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss

Experience with D&C/D&E?

I'm new to this board, but today found out (at 8 weeks) via vaginal u/s that the fetus had stopped growing around 6 wks and there was no heartbeat. I had bleeding yesterday, but it subsided and I've had no cramps or passing of any tissue. My doctor basically said my options were to wait it out and let the m/c happen naturally or schedule a D&E. Husband and I did a bunch of research and decided to go with the D&E and it's scheduled for tomorrow morning. I just feel like it's the best thing for me to get everything over with sooner than later and hopefully move on.

 I'm a nervous wreck for the procedure b/c I've never really had any type of surgery done before, even minor outpatient like this. Just curious if anyone else has had one and what your expereince was like. Apparently with mine I will not be knocked out completey, just doped up via IV so i feel "relaxed" and experience no pain.

 This was my first pregnancy.

Re: Experience with D&C/D&E?

  • I'm very sorry for your loss. 

    I had a D&C, not D&E, but they are similar.  They gave me what is called "twilight" sedation.  I was told I would not be completely knocked out.  But I don't remember anything after being wheeled into the OR and I "woke up" in the recovery room with some slight cramping.  Physically, the procedure is not difficult.

    The girls on this board are very supportive and understanding and have been a huge help to me.  I hope you are able to find the same thing.

     

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Photobucket

    TTCAL buddy to LMichelleG - Praying for a miracle

    PgALbuddy to CanonMom & BriAZ - Congrats on your beautiful little girls Labor Buddy to Luvsbunny

  • Loading the player...
  • I'm so sorry you have this decision to make - it's definately not an easy one :( 

    I was given the same choice, and opted for a d&c. I already felt so out of control that I couldn't stand the thought of sitting around waiting to m/c naturally. I needed to feel SOME control of what was happening. 

    I went in on a Thursday night. They put me completely to sleep, so I don't have a memory of any of it. I stayed in recovery for about an hour, then went home. I had never had any sort of surgery either, and for me, the anticipation was definitaly the worst part.

    I had very mild cramping that night - no worse than a period, and they only lasted that next day. They sent me home with GIANT pads to wear - DH and I stopped at walgreens on the way home and got some of the thin overnight pads and my medicine. I had light bleeding for 6 days, then got my period 5 weeks later.

    This was a much more difficult experience for me emotionally than physically. Lean on the people who love you, and grieve however you need to - everyone's experience is different. This board was suprisingly helpful to me - just knowing there's someone out there going through the same thing as you has helped me.

    Again - I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish you the best. 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I'm so sorry for your loss.  I don't have experience with a routine d&c or d&e.  Hope it goes well for you tomorrow, and I'm sure other ladies will be more than glad to post their stories.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I'm so sorry for your loss, I know exactly how you feel... Tomorrow you will also be in my thoughts and prayers as I will be going through the D&C also. I go in at 9am and will be put under around 11am. Good luck tomorrow... Again I am so sorry, anything you need or just want to chat or vent please feel free  (((HUGS)))
  • I had a D&C on Tuesday.  They knocked me out for it (I was 12 weeks preg.-lots of tissue) I was just very tired and shaky that day, still tired and a little sore abdomen yesterday-not bad.  Today I'm tired but back at work.  Physically, not so bad.  I agree with you and pp's having some control over what happens helps.   SOrry you're having to go through this, best wishes for a speedy physical and emotional recovery.
  • I am so sorry for your and your DH's loss.  I experienced the same thing 4 weeks ago.  I opted for the d & c procedure.  Really, the procedure was the "easy" part of all of it for me.  I was completely knocked out for it, so I don't remember anything.  That was one of the main reasons we chose to go that route.  I woke up in the recovery room and emotionally that was hard, I just felt so empty.  I had cramps when I woke up also, they gave me vicodin for the pain.  Plan on resting most of the day after words.   That was all I really felt like doing.  Good luck tomorrow, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  This board has been a great source of comfort for me since then.  The  ladies are all wonderful. 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Sorry you are joining us here. I too had never had any surgery or outpatient procedures, this was my first preganancy and I had to make this decision when I was 9 weeks and the baby had only grown to 6w2d.

     It went well they do give you enough meds to have you not remember the procedure. remember going into the OR and waking up in the recovery room. I had cramps like i was having a period when i woke up. I suggest wearing comfy clothes and bring your own feminine pad for after.The hospitals didn't stick well to my clothes. I also brought the thermacare heat pads for help with the cramping on the way home. I also took some Ibuprofen around the clock for the first 24hrs and this seemed to help. Otherwise the procedure is quick and not too bad. It is the emotional part that is more difficult. The ladies her are amazing so be sure to post here if you need to. Good luck and again I am sorry you are going this group. <<HUGS>>    

  • So sorry for your loss :( 

    I had a D&E almost 3 weeks ago.  It was tougher emotionally than physically.  After filling out paperwork, I changed into a gown and they did my vitals and all that, plus started an IV with fluids.  Then they called DH back and we met with the doctor.  I was told I would be having twilight anesthesia.  Basically I was out, but not all the way.  They injected it into my IV, I said goodbye to DH, they wheeled me in the operating room, and the last thing I remember is them putting monitors on me.  I woke up probably an hour later in recovery.  After staying there for about 10 minutes, they took me to the discharge area where the nurse helped me change, check my pad, and gave me something to eat and drink. They called DH back and we stayed there for probably an hour before I was allowed to leave.  Basically all they did there was go over my prescriptions and restrictions. 

    I had never had any bad pain or cramping, and had bleeding that turned to spotting for about a week and a day.  The heaviest bleeding was the day of and 2 days after, but it would probably be considered medium flow.  After that I could get by with a pantiliner.

    Good luck-we'll be thinking of you!

    TTC #1 since 7/08 After 3 years, 2 losses, 3 rounds of IUI, and one round of IVF, we finally have our dream come true! DS born 7/30/11

    TTC #2 off and on since 7/12

  • So sorry for your loss.

    I had a D&C awake with ativan/motrin/vicodin and local anesthesia, no IV.  Felt sharp pokes for the local anesthesia and some scraping at the end, not comfortable but manageable.  Just needed motrin for mild cramps afterward, had pantiliner-level spotting for about a week, went back to work the next day.  The physical part was actually much better than I expected.  The emotional part was another story.  Really take care of yourself.

    The good thing about the D&C was getting the physical part over with so the pg symptoms went away and I could start the emotional healing.

    GL with your procedure.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I'm sooo sorry for your loss. I hope that you find some comfort here as the lovlies here are soooo very supportive.

    I had a choice to either m/c naturally or have a D&C. Since we wanted pathology testing done to check for a possible molar pregnancy, we opted for D&C.

    It was a fairly simple procedure, I was sedated with a muscle relaxer, but was still very awake. My entire body went numb, but I basically could still hear everything that was going on. The whole procedure took about 20 mins, and I was wide awake after the IV was taken out. No pain day 1. Days 2 & 3 were pretty excrutiating for me, none of the prescribed ibuprofen or additional OTC Rx worked for me. However Day 4 I was practically pain free. I had spotting for the next week and then it stopped completely there after.

    I hope that your procedure goes smoothly and please stop in if you ever need some additional support. We are here for each other.

    ***HUGS***

  • Just wanted to post back with my experience. The procedure was yesterday morning at 9:30. I arrived at pre-op around 8:30 and they did blood work, checked vitals and got my IV hooked up. DH was with my in pre-op. Then they wheeled my into the OR and the last thing I remember is getting onto the table. Then I was awake in a recliner with hopsital underwear on and being wheeled into the post-op recovery room where DH was waiting. All my drugs were given to me via IV, so it was very simple. And physically I felt fine yesterday and still do today. Emotionally is a whole different story, but that will take some time. Overall, I'm still glad I made the decision to have the procedure. I don't think I could have emotionally handled waiting for my body to naturally miscarry - at least this way I had some kind of control over the situation. My thoughts are with everyone else who may going through this.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"