- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss
To have a D&C or not?
I started having some spotting a couple days ago and went to my doctor today for bloodwork and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed an empty sac, so my doctor said I have a couple options, let everything happen naturally or have a D&C. Since it's Friday I was going to take the weekend and think about it and see how everything progresses, but does anyone have a recommendation either way on what I should do? I'm beginning to think the D&C would be best to get it all over with rather than have to be reminded every time I go to the bathroom. But I would really love some advice based on your experiences. Thank you in advance.
(Sorry if this sounds unemotional, it's been a very emotional day and I'm sort of drained)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: To have a D&C or not?
First of all, I'm really sorry for your loss.
I had a d&c but mostly because bleeding hadn't started yet. I think you should see how the weekend progresses and choose on Monday. The one thing you should know though is that you will continue to bleed for about a week or two (it's different for everyone)... so you will unfortunately still have that reminder either way. I did the d&c mostly because I didn't want to continue to wonder when the m/c was going to happen. Best of luck to you whatever you choose. It's definitely not a fun choice to have to make.
I chose the D&E route because I had no signs of MC (no bleeding or cramping) but an early US revealed an empty sac at 8 weeks. God forbid this happen again to me I would def chose the surgery route again. It was painless and easy. Emotionally, it was very difficult and still is but physically getting the IV was the worst part of the whole thing. I spotted for 8 days (pantyliner only needed) and just got my 1st period 4 weeks and 3 days after my surgery. The reason why I didn't choose natural was because my OB said it could be weeks before my body would decide to expel everything and I couldn't play the waiting game and wanted it over. The reason why I didn't chose meds to MC is that I am a baby for pain and heard it is very painful (a very good friend did this and did not suggest it) and also didn't want to "see it" or deal with severe cramps for 1-2 days. The surgery route was very simple and easy and pain free (really was). You have to decide what is right for you! GL ((((hugs)))) I know this is hard!
I had 3 natural m/c's. With the last one, I had spotting and the dr wanted to do the D&C. But I started bleeding a few days later. GL and I am sorry for your loss.
Rose
I hope you don't mind me posting here.
My story follows Ourgrads but a year difference.
I had a D&C in May after almost 2 weeks waiting to m/c naturally. It was a pretty painless (physically) procedure and it allowed me to feel as if there were an ending to the m/c. I didn't really bleed at all afterwards, I had a little spotting on the day of the D&C and maybe a little the day after, but from what I've seen that's unusual.
I waited one cycle and then got pregnant the next cycle, in July.
Good luck.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. ?I've had three natural m/c and one d&c. ?There are pros and cons to both, but I was never in the situation of waiting to see what happens. ?I don't think I could do that.
With the natural m/c, all of mine actually started with heavier flow at work. ?That was incredibly difficult to deal with there. ?The actual process itself was only painful for a couple of hours and you do see what is coming out of your body, which can be a shock. ?But it also helped my brain process the loss to go through the physical side and everything.
With the d&c, it was scheduled so the element of surprise was gone. The procedure itself isn't bad--it is v quick and painless. ?Unlike most people, I was awake for it because I react badly to medication, so I can say it is no big deal even from the vantage point of being awake. ?There was a lot of anxiety before of not knowing what to expect and feeling sad/guilty. ?That might be because it was my 4th loss and at 12.5 weeks--part of me felt like I should just wait it out just to keep the baby with me a little longer. ?I'm not sure if that is typical or not. ?With the d&c, it was hard for my brain to catch up that I wasn't pregnant anymore. ?I knew it, but didn't feel it like I did with the natural m/c. ?The one big positive is they were able to test the baby to determine the cause and it is the only time I've had an answer.
With both, I bled for 7-11 days afterwards and ovulated within a few days of normal. ?Hope that helps you make your decision.?
I have had two natural m/c and one d&c.
The d&c was the most recent. I didn't really have much choice because from the ultrasound they were worrried the placenta might be embedded or it might be a partial molar pregnancy (luckily it turned out to be neither). You will still have a reminder every time you go to the bathroom afterwards for a while. I had minimal bleeding the first 3 days afterwards, heavy with some clots day 4 and 5, then spotting every since. It has been 16 days now.
What I didn't like about the d&c was having the procedure done to me rather than letting my body handle it. It is hard to explain but things were obviously already out of my control and then letting someone else take my baby out of me was very emotionally difficult.
I am not saying natural m/c are pieces of cake either but for myself, it was better. My first was at 6.5 weeks. Painful cramps for 3 hours and then it was over other than period type bleeding for a week, The second natural m/c was much harder but it was at 9.5 weeks with a baby and proper sized placenta. The placenta detaching was the very painful part. I will also say in both of these cases, I went from spotting one day to m/c the next so I did not have a wait.
You really have to go with your gut about what you think is best for you. While I now know my preference, others who have experienced both much prefer a d&c. I hope whichever you choose goes smoothly.
Hi - I am in the same boat as you are right now. I am so sorry for your loss. We found out Thursday night that there was no heartbeat and no further development from my first appointment. I decided to wait and see what my body does over the next few days. If things don't progress naturally, I will schedule a D&C for Friday.
Friday I was a little crampy and minimal spotting. So far today I have had some spotting and some strong cramps but Tylenol is helping a lot right now. I just started to see more blood activity. The hardest part is waiting - I just want it to start so I can be done with everything. I guess I don't have too much advice but I understand and am going through the same questions and pain.
Good luck.
First of all sorry for your loss...
I chose to have a D&C because it had been a week when I found out that I was miscarrying and my body wasn't doing it naturally. I emotionally could not sit there are wait for it to happen. Good luck in what ever you choose.