D&C?

lvlichelle · March 2011

I found out yesterday that I am having a missed miscarriage... the baby stopped growing at 7 weeks and I am supposed to be 11weeks and 3 days as of today... I have my dr appointment Thursday.My body still hasnt recognized the death of the fetus. So the dr office said that they were going to talk to me about a D&C.

What exactlly happens during a D&C. Does it hurt? What is the expected recovery time? What are the risk involved?

Thank you for any help you can give me I appreciate it!

NancAA · March 2011

Sorry for your loss. I had mine done on a Friday morning and was back at work on Monday or Tuesday. The pain I experienced was like mild to severe cramping. Good luck

jenn0021 · March 2011

Most of those questions your doctor will be able to answer. Especially concerning the risks. I will give you my experiences.

They will knock you out, and the procedure only takes about 15 minutes. It doesn't really hurt but you will experience cramping afterwards. The severity of this will depend. I have had two D&C's and both were quite different. The recovery time is usually quick. My first I had on a Monday and was back to work on Wednesday. My second I had on a Thursday and was back to work on Tuesday (more cramping).

Personally I would choose to have the D&C. It is quick and relatively painless and since you had a missed miscarriage, will probably be the best choice. My first was a missed and I opted to wait for it to happen naturally. It took 3 weeks for my body to recognize the fact that the baby had died and then it didn't empty out properly. I ended up having a D&C 7 weeks after I found out the heart had stopped beating. It was a really hard time for me and looking back I wish I had done the D&C first off. It could have set me on the road for healing a little sooner. I had another missed miscarriage this time and immediately asked for a D&C.

Sorry that this is long. Best of luck making your decision and I'm really sorry for your loss. I saw your goodbye on the September board. I was lurking when I really shouldn't have been but my heart broke for you. It's just not fair that this happens. Sending you lots of hugs.

LDW80 · March 2011

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had a d&c late december and there was no pain physically. I bled excessively (which is unusual) and had to stay overnight to be monitored and became anemic for a while. But I was up walking around later that day of the proceedure. Just a little groggy.

babygirlpriest · March 2011

I'm so sorry for your loss.

First - talk to your doc before the procedure so you fully understand the risks but basically it's the risk anyone assumes for ANY procedure where they're knocked out and a risk of scarring or damaging the uterine lining (small risk).

Here's my D&C pointers (I've been through 3 so kinda have the routine down now):

Wear comfy clothes that are easy to put on and no bra if you can. Dressing myself after being knocked out was awkward. Sweats an hoodie and Ugg type boots or flip flops were best.
Bring your own slipper sock things if you have them. You'll probaby get those ugly brown hospital issue socks and I found bringing my own was a small little comfort.
Same goes for pad. Some hospitals have the nice stuff, other's will send you home feeling like you've got a cotton farm between your legs. You may not use it but better to have it than not.
The worst part for me was always pre-op. Several people will ask you "what procedure are you having done today?" - which is necessary to ensure they don't confuse you with the person getting their appendix out or whatever. Repeating over and over that you're having a D&C sucks. There's no getting around it and I'm sorry.
Bring very light reading magazine. Once they take you back you can't always have your phone turned on and you can be waiting a while even after they've bagged all your possessions and locked them away. Make sure whatever it is you're fine losing it.
The actual procedure is pretty quick. Then you're in recovery and once you've eaten and kept some juice down they'll let you dress and leave. I was usually out the door within 2 hours of the procedure.
If you haven't already got it. Have the doc write a prescription for pain pills when you get there. The hospital will have a pharmacy and have your DH (or whoever is with you) pick them up while you're having the procedure done. You may not need them but like the pad, better to have it and not need it than wish you did. And sitting in the car while someone runs into a drug store to fill a script SUCKS.
I usually wanted 2-4 days off work to heal - but much of that was needing to emotionally heal. Because of previous committments, I had to be on a plane less than 24 hours after my last D&C and I was fine... uncomfortable but fine. I bled like a light period - moderate for a day or two and then another day or two of spotting.

Finally - please remember this was MY experience so don't be thrown if your doctor/hospital does things slightly differently. Again, huge hugs and I'm so sorry for your loss.

callalilly323 · March 2011

Hi there,

I'm sorry for what you're going through right now; I had a D&C this past Friday. It did not hurt as they knocked me out during the procedure, but I had slight cramping afterward. The doctor prescribed tylenol with codeine, but I haven't needed them.

I had mine done on a Friday and actually already had Monday and Tuesday off for a vacation (which I had to cancel), but I would say definitely take a few days just to recuperate and relax... even just to wrap your mind around everything that has happened.

My doctor told me that the risk factors are dangers from the anesthesia, infection, and slight chance of a punctured uterus... the last being very rare in younger patients.

I would recommend a D&C over a natural miscarriage personally; if for no other reason than faster closure.

williams4me · March 2011

So sorry for your loss, I had my D&C one week ago tomorrow, our baby had stopped growing in the 11th week, and we found out when we had gone in for my 12 week appt. My Dr said that at that stage she thought that the D&C was my best option rather than "adding insult to injury" and trying to pass that much tissue myself which she said would have been incredibly painful. The actual procedure lasted about 15, they put you under and I woke up about 1.5 hrs after they had finished. I had bleeding only that day afterwards, and some cramping but the Dr had given me an RX to ease the cramping. I came back to work Monday...physically I am not in any pain, but emotionally I am still breaking down and crying at least once a day...

lauralew · March 2011

I'm so sorry for your loss. I also had a missed miscarriage; found out when I should have been 8 weeks/fetus was about 6 weeks when it stopped developing. I decided to wait about 10 days to see if anything happened naturally, but scheduled the D&C to give myself a deadline of how long I would let my body wait. I took the a couple days off after I found out about the missed m/c, worked the week before the D&C, and then took a about 7 work days off for the D&C. (I am very fortunate to work somewhere with good vacation/sick leave and people who understand the need to heal emotionally and physically).

I am happy had my D&C when I did. I also am happy I actually had a D&C because I felt like it did give me closure and made me start healing emotionally.

Here is my D&C specific experience:

1. The day of the procedure wasn't that bad physically (emotionally either because I was pretty out of it and slept a lot). Everything other posters said is similar to my experience. ESPECIALLY about how many times you have to say what why you're there that day. It sucks. I was fortunate enough to be in a facility that was very kind, professional, and understanding. My pre-op nurse actually said to me, "I had two miscarriages. It was really hard. But I had to keep telling myself it was because something just wasn't right." It was nice to have someone caring for me who understood how I might be feeling. Only bad thing: post-op they put me next to a girl who just got out of breast implant surgery. She kept saying she felt like she just had twins. Not cool.

2. I had my D&C on a Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I felt fine. All of my pain was controlled with ibuprofen, and I really didn't have much. Not too much bleeding either. Friday, however, was a different story. I started having intense cramping and bleeding like a heavy period. Called the doc on call, who indicated my symptoms were normal and she prescribed me Tylenol 3 with codeine. It helped take the edge off, but not enough. Codeine also makes me sick, so it was a miserable weekend. I stayed home from work Mon and Tues, felt better by Wed. From what I've read the third day can be the worst, so be prepared for that. Try to stay ahead of the pain if you can.

3. Invest in GOOD pads. I recommend Always Infinity Super. They are like the Mercedes of pads. I hadn't bought a pad since I was a freshman in high school, so I was so lost trying to decide what kind to buy. I tried these after using just regular Always Ultra Thin. It was like going from a diaper to almost nothing.

4. My advice: take off as much time as you can from work (if you work). Try to do at least something out of the home/interact with people as you're physically able. (Wednesday and Thursday I spent time with my mom and sister while my husband was at work, Saturday my bff came over.) Don't over do it, but it helped me a lot.

5. Finally, don't be afraid to ask your doctor lots and lots of questions. If you think of a question after your appointment, call back. If you have any concerns about your body (Is this pain normal? Am I bleeding too much?) call your doctor or the on-call doctor. Don't feel guilty or stupid!!! The only that sucked about calling my doc's answering service was when the person taking the message asked (and they did every time) "Are you pregnant?" No, thank you for asking, it's a topic I love talking about.

JPS · March 2011

I'm so sorry for your loss. I, too, had a missed miscarriage when I would've been about 8 weeks. I had a D&C almost 2 weeks ago. I chose to have it immediately, because I couldn't imagine waiting any longer for it to pass naturally. I just wanted it over. My recovery (well, the physical part) went really smoothly. Not much bleeding, and some minor cramping (although I noticed I definitely bled more when I was up and moving around than when I stayed in bed). The worst part of it was definitely pre-op. Being alone with all the nurses and doctors asking you what procedure you're having done is pretty tough. Fortunately, I had some really supportive nurses. The emotional toll was much harder than the physical, but I imagine it was no worse than a natural miscarriage. I'd definitely suggest taking the prescription painkillers at first- if not for the actual pain, for the sleep benefits. I was so emotionally drained that it was nice to fall into a deep sleep without having my mind wander.

badtzmaru22 · March 2011

I'm so sorry for your loss. A lot of my experience is the same as pp, but I wanted to just add that for me, the D&C was the best part of this whole ordeal, and I'm glad I chose it instead of waiting. I was 10w, but the baby only measured 9. I just felt like it would be more traumatic to have to continue on with my normal routine just waiting for the bleeding to start.

I'm now three weeks out, and physically, I feel fine, and I'm pretty sure the spotting has stopped for good. ::hugs::

brockerln · March 2011

I am so sorry for your loss! I had a D&C a few weeks ago (at the time, they weren't sure if it was an ectopic or a miscarriage).

During a D&C, the doctors dilate your cervix using a series of instruments, and use an apparatus to remove your uterine lining and the fetus. Your doctor will probably go over the procedure with you though.

I was really nervous and scared to have the D & C since I haven't had surgery since I was a kid. All I remember is them rolling me into the OR, put one of my feet in my stirrups, and the next thing I know, they are moving me back to the recovery room because it was over. Actually, my first thought was that they forgot to do it lol. Then a few hours later after they loaded me up on some medicine due to some significant cramping (no worse than my worse menstrual cramps), I was sent home. I was crampey for a few days after wards, but it was really on par with menstrual cramps. It was so light in fact, I managed to make it to school the next morning. And since they removed my uterine lining, I never bled which was good.

Now methatrexate, that stuff kicked my butt. Talk about side-effects, sheesh! Just be happy you don't need that horrible, yet wonderful (because it saved my life!) stuff!

Because I had an ectopic, I only today (two weeks after the D&C and two weeks and a day after the shot) can I "resume my normal lifestyle".

Best of luck to you!

fryrat · March 2011

I had mine done Tuesday. My background: I found out at 11 weeks, that it had stopped growing around 8.5 weeks. Dr. said I can do D&C, or let nature happen, just don't wait too long. I was devastated, so I just went home. A week later, last Friday, I started spotting. I braced myself, knowing what was happening, and cancelled my plans. Just me and my body, we're gonna do this! I was wrong...

Sunday night, pain about 8 or 9, lasted for 1.5 hours, finally subsided. Monday, around 10am, round 2. I dug out the Tylenol 3's I had stashed, and they did not do anything. Went to the ER. I was there over 2 hours, they did not give me anything for the pain until I was being shooed out the door. They did not even give me exam. They said they talked to my doc, and he wanted me to pass naturally, but to call them. I called, when I left the ER, and they transferred me to the surgery scheduling staff. I had to leave a message. The Percocet they gave me in the ER, didn't help, couldn't take the Vicoprofen they prescribed until 6pm. Took that, no effect. Sometime in between then, I switched from just passing clots, to all out bleeding. 7:30, I'm back in the ER, pain at a 10, in tears, shaky, unable to walk, etc. This staff was better. They gave me an IV and morphine right away. I could not stop thanking them, because it was the first time in 24 hours without pain. They did the ultrasound, and determined I had a long way to go. The on-call doc for my practice said he did not want to do the D&C right then, and to have me call first thing in the morning for an urgent D&C. This was at 2am. Only a few more hours.

The nurse have me a shot of Morphine "for the road", so I had that for the first 4 hours, then she also gave me permission to double up, taking Vicoprofen and Tylenol 3 at the same time. That got me through, but I was at # 6 for pain by the time I checked in for the procedure.

The D&C went fine, they use suction instead of a blade, so it's less risk of puncture, etc. I still had the same pain after ward, as when I went in. I made sure to tell them right away. They gave me morphine, then a script for Vicodin.

I'm pretty sure if I were to let things happen naturally, I'd require a morphine drip! My SIL said that the mechanics of it are like labor, with the contracting and the dilating, but the part they forget to tell you is that you pass one clot (or whatever) then you do it again, over and over and over. That's when it gets bad. You don't have time to recover from the first one.

Just my experience. I was told by my doc, that if I had too much pain, I was to go to the ER, and they would do it right away. That's not what happened. Hopefully you are able to get the information you need to make your decision. I was afraid of the D&C at first, wanting to avoid it, but between how I felt 2 days ago and now, I'm glad it's done.

Want a personalized experience?

D&C?

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

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Want a personalized experience?

D&amp;C?

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6dBethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

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D&C?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

Re: D&C?