Cons of having a D&C?

MauidAims · November 2009

I am trying to arm myself with information when I meet with my Dr to discuss my options to m/c. So far my body shows no signs of letting go. The waiting is awful. So I am leaning towards a D&C to put closure to this process, and that I have the option I can get the baby tested (assuming I can). I assume this is why most women choose this option. However, what are the cons of it? Has anyone done it and wish they had gone the med route instead? Does the risks for the next PG go up or become high risk because of this?

I was reading another site and they said to ask the Dr if they do "scrapping". Perhaps this has something to do with more scar tissue?

Emmy722 · November 2009

I had a D&C on Friday and I honestly don't have any cons for it...It was quick,painless, besides the cramps afterwards and my Dr gave me pain relievers for it, all in all, it was the best decision.

jmrsdve · November 2009

First I want to say that I am very sorry for your loss. With my first m/c, I opted to have the D&C. I thought I was 12w along, but the baby only measured 8w and like you, my body was not letting go. The procedure itself was not bad at all nor was the recovery (some mild crapming). I took me 8 weeks after the D&C to get my first period and everything was fine. The doctor will go over with you the pros and cons of both. It is really what you decide in the end. Good luck in your decision.

Sonadora · November 2009

There is a risk of scaring and uterine perforation, or at least that's what my doctor told me. But he said he had never perforated a uterus in his career and rarely had anyone with scaring.

I went for the D&C because my body showed no signs of doing it on its own, I wanted it over with, and there's always a chance you will have to have a D&C anyway with the medicine if any tissue remains. I had no interest in potentially having to have a procedure after miscarrying with medicine. Like I said, I wanted it over with. I needed it to be over with.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

kgwen · November 2009

the only cons i can think of are the rare chance of adverse effects of anesthesia, possibility of infection post procedure, or perforation which is extremely rare. if you miscarry and are over 8 weeks along D&E/C is the best option b/c you are further along and the products of conception (including placenta and other tissue) is larger, if you are medically induced/naturally going to miscarry at home, there is a greater risk of hemorrhage and you might not get everything out, and need a D&C down the road anyway.

my tissue was immediately sent for pathology and i was diagnosed with a partial molar and now am being followed very carefully. if i were to naturally or medically miscarry i might never have the proper diagnosis.

so sorry for your loss.

Swede25 · November 2009

The only con I have about doing it is that it took my body a REALLY long time to get back to normal cycle-wise. I had to take progesterone pills in order to give my body a clue. I'm hoping everything is okay now. Also, one thing you can ask is if they do the procedure under ultrasound. The doctor that did mine does that in order to only take what is needed and not damage your uterus or the lining. Some doctors still do it blindly...eek!

hammic1 · November 2009

Sorry to hear about your loss. I recently had a D & C. My pregnancy was no longer viable once they could no longer detect a heartbeat. The baby measured 6 weeks and 3 days. The first doctor I was seeing left for another insurance carrier and I was handed off to another doctor in her practice. But this was all happening to me as she was leaving. So the other doctor in her practice I'm sure was overwhelmed with new patients. This doctor was making me think I had no option but to do a D&C and that made me uncomfortable. So In the midst of all this I had to find a new doctor. I asked some relatives and found one to see just for a second opinion. The new doctor confirmed that my pregnancy was not viable and she sat down with me to discuss the options and gave me the pros and cons of all options. This made me feel more comfortable and after thinking it over and talking with my husband we decided the D&C was our best option. And the procedure was easy, quick and I didn't have much pain afterwards. The new doctor gave me some Ibuprofin and told me what to expect. And my body responded exactly as she had told me it would. Now instead of waiting for it to happen on it's own, I can move forward and begin planning on TTC again in a couple of months. They do send the tissues to a lab for testing but if you want chromosome testing you have to request that as an extra test. My new doctor also told me she never has perforated anyone's uterus and she is careful while performing the procedure so she will not leave scarring which could affect future conception. And she told me she has never had any patients have problems TTC after having a D&C. I would ask your doctor if they have had the same success. Just so you can be sure before making up your mind.

Mrs. K in TX · November 2009

If I had the choice, I would have done a D&C. I had a natural miscarriage, and it was really painful, and there was a lot of blood- much more than I'd ever had with a period. I passed a lot of clots- some the size of golf balls.

From what I've read on here, taking the meds just prolongs your emotional pain while giving you the same symptoms you'd have during a natural miscarriage. I wouldn't want that.

BrittH05 · November 2009

I just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I am waiting for confirmation of a Blighted Ovum (Sp) and told my Dr I want a D&c as soon as it is confirmed. I don't want to wait I want to move on and start trying again. I found all of you ladies responses very helpful and now I feel even better about my decision. Maybe we will be lucky and the 1st u/s was just to early, but I don't want to get my hopes up too far and really felt all of you offered really great advise!

Thanks for posting the? and for all the responses. It is very reassuring.

MauidAims · November 2009

Thanks ladies for all of your experiences with your D&C's!

MaryYVR · November 2009

So far I'm happy that I went with a D&C. Since the baby had died over 4 weeks before I was diagnosed and showed no sign of miscarrying, I was relieved to know that I didn't have to wait around for it to happen. I still can't get over how wonderful all the staff was at the hospital (and I've had several previous surgeries).

My OB/GYN used a suction method, which he said was most common now.

It's a difficult decision but I hope you make the right one for you.

Hugs,

Mary

Erin RN · November 2009

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had a D&C 2 weeks ago and I have no regrets. I waited three weeks to m/c naturally with no results. I did get an infection after the surgery and I was in a lot of pain for the first couple of days after. My dr imediately put me on pain med and antibiotics. My infection cleared up and now I'm feeling better. I do still have some cramping and bleeding. Even with everything, I'm still happy I had the surgery done and I wish I had done it sooner. Beyond the physical part, it really helped me begin healing emotionally. The what-ifs were driving me crazy. Once the surgery was done, I could accept that the pregnancy was over. My dr doesn't recommend cytotec at all. She said that most of the time a D&C is needed anyways and the intial time after the cytotec can be very painful. I hope you are able to find an option that works best for you. Let us know how everything goes.

pepomntpat · November 2009

I had a D&E and I have no cons to report. It was quick, relatively painless and put an end to the waiting for my pregnancy to be over. I couldn't stand the thought of waiting. I am very sorry for your loss.{{Hugs}}

Lissa832 · November 2009

I have been through each type, natural, medicated induced, and D&C. Having the D&C was the best and easiest for me. It was less painful; I bled less, and I didn't have to wait for weeks to have a complete m/c. If I have another missed m/c, I would have a D&C in a heartbeat. No regrets and no cons for me.

TheSkimmy · November 2009

Augh I just lost everything I just wrote out...

I don't normally come on this board but I happened to see your post.

I have had 2 natural m/c, a successful pregnancy, and a D&C in August. I don't think I would chose the D&C again. Physically it's ok.... but emotionally it was really hard on me. I felt fine but about 3 weeks later the time of mourning hit me. I was a wreak- but everyone had kind of forgotten about me since it had been a while. What was really hard was I had to wait 3 months to TTC again so I was only 3 weeks into that wait. When I had my 2 natural m/c's I stayed home and mourned while I went through it. It took about 2 bad days of cramps for it to turn more into a period. One was at 5 weeks and the other natural was at 7 weeks. This D&C was at 6.5 weeks.

I just wanted to let you know the emotional side of it... that is worse than any physical pain you will go through. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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