D&C questions- please share your experiences

lc&jw · October 2011

I've lurked here for quite some time but don't tend to post much. I'm hoping you ladies can help me though. I'm currently dealing with my 4th loss and I'm scheduled for a D&C tomorrow. This will be my first D&C (I've gone through the others losses naturally) and I don't really know what to expect as far as what happens before and during the procedure, and what will happen afterward. The doctor is also going to do a hysteroscopy as part of this procedure, so I'm curious about that as well.

At what point will my husband need to leave me before the D&C? Do they knock you out before they do anything, or do they get you all set up in stirrups first and then give you the anesthesia? Where will I wake up? Should I expect bleeding afterward, and if so, how heavy and for how long? What about pain? Is it reasonable to return to work the next day?

Any experiences you can share would be much appreciated. At this point I'm feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing, but then at other times I just feel numb and in denial that I have to go through this tomorrow.

poohbear033 · October 2011

I am sorry about your losses. I had a D&C at my first loss. My husband was able to stay with me until they wheeled me back. I remember going into the OR and moving myself to the table but that is all. I assume the moved me into whatever position they needed. I did not bleed until one day after the surgery. It lasted about 7 days. The cramping was bad and I alternated Tylenol 3 and Motrin 600. I was also on an antibiotic. I had a total of 5 days off work. My surgery was on a Friday, I went back to work on Wednesday. Hope that helps. (((HUGS)))

pb127 · October 2011

I'm sorry for your losses. I just had my D&Cs, I'll try to answer your questions.

lc&jw:

I've lurked here for quite some time but don't tend to post much. I'm hoping you ladies can help me though. I'm currently dealing with my 4th loss and I'm scheduled for a D&C tomorrow. This will be my first D&C (I've gone through the others losses naturally) and I don't really know what to expect as far as what happens before and during the procedure, and what will happen afterward. The doctor is also going to do a hysteroscopy as part of this procedure, so I'm curious about that as well.

At what point will my husband need to leave me before the D&C? He can stay with you before they take you into the OR. Do they knock you out before they do anything, or do they get you all set up in stirrups first and then give you the anesthesia? You lay down on the bed and then they'll start the anesthesia right after you lie down. Both times, I was out within a minute or 2. They position you after you are out so you go in lying down. Where will I wake up? You'll wake up in the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) most likely. Your husband will likely be there when you wake up. Should I expect bleeding afterward, and if so, how heavy and for how long? Both times, I have had moderate to light bleeding afterwards; I'm still waiting on the "how long". What about pain? Pain was moderate and I'm taking 600 mg motrin 1-2 times a day. It doesn't happen often, but if you're having really painful cramping and/or lots of bleeding (or have any concerns), you should call your doctor and/or go into the ER. Is it reasonable to return to work the next day? I think you can if you aren't running around too much. If you can take off the day to rest and recover at home, I would do that.

Any experiences you can share would be much appreciated. At this point I'm feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing, but then at other times I just feel numb and in denial that I have to go through this tomorrow.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Sending you many good thoughts and big (((hugs)))). Take care.

lauren2_00@yahoo.com · October 2011

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. I had a D&C with my first loss. My husband was supposed to leave me after I changed in the prep room; however, since I was freaked out by the anesthesia, they let him come back to the next room with me. He stayed in the room until the anesthesia was administered. I was sleeping by the time they started wheeling me out of the room. I woke up about 15 minutes after the D&C was over in the recovery room. My husband was waiting there for me.

I actually didn't bleed much after the procedure - maybe a little spotting for a few hours after. I had some slight cramping, but nothing too intense. Returning to work is a tough call - I was in more emotional pain than physical pain so I wasn't ready to interact with anyone. I'm sorry that you have to go through with this. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.

Twizzle · October 2011

I'm so sorry for your losses. My D&C was an in-office procedure under local anesthetic only. They did the anesthetic on the table after I was in stirrups. My DH was with me the whole time, thank God, because it was awful and I felt everything. Try to find out what kind of anesthesia they plan to use and if it's only local then ask for more, either conscious sedation or general anesthesia.

I didn't have much bleeding after, but a lot of cramping that day and the next. I didn't work the next day because it was Saturday. I was glad to have the day off.

BabyTrippin · October 2011

I'm sorry you're having to go through this.

My husband couldn't be with me for mine, but my mom was there. She was with me until they took me back for the surgery. They had all the instruments covered when they wheeled me in so all I saw was random OR type things...no giant speculum or sucking tubes or anything. I woke up back in my hospital room. I still had no underwear on and had one of those pee-pad things under me. As soon as I felt well enough to get up and go pee I was allowed to leave. No one bothered to tell me that they would catheterize me and that peeing after would burn like nobody's business.

I pretty much wanted to sleep the rest of the day. Mom got me a strawberry milkshake (God love that woman!) on the way home then stopped for pads and wipes at the store. You won't be able to use tampons until your next AF, so get nice pads. I didn't bleed heavily at all, but it took almost 2 weeks to stop spotting. My doctor sent me home with Vicoden and I needed it for about 2 days. I think more for emotional numbing than pain, but I was glad I had it. I could have gone back to work by day 3 easily, but took 2 weeks because I could.

Pachita · October 2011

I'm so sorry. It's not an easy thing to go through. My DH drove me to the hospital and picked me up after the operation.

I had my operation at 4 pm and couldn't eat or drink a thing until then. That was difficult.I also remember being admitted into a room and getting some IVs before being admitted into the operating room. Everyone was very nice and helpful. I laid down and pretty much passed out after that. The operating itself took less than 30 minutes. Once I woke up, I was given some crackers and ginger ale and they gave me the biggest maxi pad I've had in my life (which wasn't necessary because a regular pad would've done the trick.

I bled for about one week--but it was very light. Just know that my outcome is not exactly the same as others.

I was tired after the operation so once I got home I took a nap and took it easy. No heavy lifting, strenuous exercise for a few days. No baths (showers were permitted). Nothing inserted in my vagina for at least 2 weeks.

I got my operation on a Thursday and went back to work on Tuesday (but it was also labor day weekend so I didn't miss a day of work either).

Sending positive thoughts to you. To tell you the truth, the emotional scars are really a whole lot harder than the operation. It wasn't bad at all.

orangegoggles · October 2011

Sorry for your losses

Like pp's, everyones experience is different. I had to arrive at the hospital 2 hours before. They asked me a thousand (it felt like it) questions. They put in an iv and then we waited a bit together. I said goodbye to my husband as they wheeled me into the operating room. They moved me and then chatting with me and then I was asleep after a few minutes. I woke up in the recovery area although I am not sure how long I was in there, probably like a half hour. Then I was allowed to go back to my room to see my husband.

I bled immediately after (not much) and then the rest was just spotting for almost 2 weeks but very little bleeding. I didn't have any pain though I did take the medicine, mostly for emotional reasons. I felt fine that night but was tired. I went to work 2 days later and it was fine. The hardest part is the emotions that come along with it all. T&p's to you.

briast20 · October 2011

I'm so sorry for your losses.

I had a D&C exactly 4 weeks ago. It was a very simple (for me) surgery. DH came with me into the waiting room, then I was taken back to change into a hospital gown. He was then allowed to come back into the surgical waiting area, where there were a bunch of other surgical patients waiting. When they took me up to the surgery prep area, he had to stay back in the waiting room. This is where they gave me the anesthesia. I remember being wheeled into the OR, and I remember my doctor saying that she had the ultrasound machine set up, and that was it. I was out until I was being wheeled into the recovery room. I had to stay in recovery for what seemed like forever, but was really probably only like 45 minutes or so. I was then taken to the patient discharge area, where they again made me wait for another half an hour or so. The nurse wouldn't discharge me until I peed. This area is where DH was allowed to come back in with me.

The procedure itself was fine. I had no pain afterward, although my bleeding was SUPER heavy for that first day. It tapered off after that, and lasted about 10-12 days in full, some days heavy, some not so much. I also passed several large clots about a week or so in, which I was not expecting.

It's now a month later, and I got AF yesterday, and my body seems to be working the way it should. I wish you luck, try not to be nervous. Again, I'm sorry for your losses.

Lilac33 · October 2011

I'm so sorry for your losses.

I just had a D&C last week. Mine took place at a surgery center. I went in, filled out some paperwork, then they took me back (DH stayed in waiting room) and weighed me, took temp and blood pressure, and started an IV. At that point they let DH come back with me. From there, it was basically over an hour of waiting. The anesthesiologist came and talked to us, and then the surgery nurse, and then my actual doctor who was performing the surgery. DH got to stay with me until they wheeled me back to the operating room. I moved onto the operating table and they had me breathe in some oxygen. At that point I guess they also gave me the anesthesia through my IV, because I don't remember anything after that.

I woke up in the recovery room and DH was right there with me. I didn't really have any pain, just some light cramping. They gave me pitocin through my IV to help my uterus contract and shrink back down to normal size. I think I was in recovery for about an hour, and then they let me go home. I bled that day and the next - medium flow. The next few days I had light spotting. I had my procedure on Thursday and went back to work today. I honestly would not have been able to go back to work the next day. I felt pretty worn out, but I was also emotionally a wreck.

For me, the D&C was the first step in getting back to "normal'. For me it wasn't too bad. Thinking of you and wishing you the best with yours!! (hugs)

charmedgrl517 · October 2011

My D&C was not as bad as I was expecting and I hope yours isn't either....My DH was with me until I was taken into surgery (he was there for all the prep before surgery). They took me into the OR and then gave me the anesthesia. I woke up in recovery and then DH came. My bleeding was very light and lasted about 5 days. I had no pain after. The doc prescribed 800mg of ibuprofen but I didn't need it. I could have went back to work the next physically but I was not ready emotionally so I took about a week off (Had the d&c on a tuesday and went back to work the following monday).

catdwg83 · October 2011

I'm sorry for your loss, first & foremost. I had my D&C a week ago. Basically, MH was there until they wheeled me into the OR. I moved myself onto the table & the anesthesiologist knocked me out within a few seconds. The next thing was me waking up in the recovery room. I stayed there maybe 5 more minutes to talk to my Dr & the anesthesiologist, then I was wheeled back out to the room I waited in before surgery.

They insert a catheter during surgery, so you have to pee before you can go home. I chugged a cup of water as soon as I could to facilitate that.

Pain afterward was negligible. I didn't need motrin until the next evening (after lifting & walking too much). I bled very slightly for 3 days. Not even enough for a pantyliner really.

Personally, I wouldn't go back to work the next day. I was pretty tired, despite feeling okay & not having pain. Maybe a half day of work at the most. I've never had a hysteroscopy, so no comment on that. Good luck with everything. I hope it goes smoothly & you feel better quickly!

peloquinJ · October 2011

This is super long, but hope it helps:

I don't know anything about a hysteroscopy, but would assume they are doing it at the same time so it would be similar so I will share my experience. I had my D&C done at a hospital and was on an ambulatory surgery floor. We had a room and my husband could be in it when I was with the exception of when they went over my history questionnaire (because it is hospital policy to ask about abuse or you may not want him to know something I guess). While in the room prior to surgery I had bloodwork, my OB came in to talk to me, the anesthesiologist talked to me and they put in an IV. I was then wheeled to surgery and in the operating room moved to another gurney. I didn't have to put my legs in the stirrups that I remember. I don't remember anything else until I woke up (I was in the room I had at this point, but I think I was awake someplace else before this because my husband told me the nurses said I told them I wasn't in pain, but he didn't witness this). He estimated that he was in the waiting room for 40 minutes. Once I woke up I went to the bathroom with the nurse and was super dizzy. I then had a snack (graham crackers and gingerale). Once they saw that I was eating and drinking I was able to get dressed and go home, but I still was dizzy enough that I needed a w/c out to the car. I was sleepy the rest of the day and dizzy for several hours after arriving home.

I really didn't have a ton of pain, I don't think physically it was more painful than a heavy period. I didn't have a lot of bleeding until several days later and then it was typical period type bleeding. I know that there are vastly different experiences with bleeding though from reading these before I had mine. I wouldn't have wanted to go back to work the next day even if I was at an office job. The third day I think I would have be fine for an office job. I work in a physically demanding job and had my D&C on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. I was slightly feel crampy but tolerable.

linfor2 · October 2011

So sorry for your losses and that you have to go through this. All of the ladies stories are different but also similar so hope they are helpful.

Heres mine...

Arrived at the hospital at 6 AM. DH got to be in the prep room and he waited in there during my surgery and recovery. Anesthesiologist came into that room to prep me so I was groggy going into the OR but was able to move myself to the table...I was out a few seconds later. I woke up in recovery. They had this awesome heat thing connected to my gown because its not uncommon for your temp to decrease during surgery and it keeps you warm...so comfy. I was wheeled back to my pre-op room shortly after waking up and I was able to eat a slice of toast and a cup of juice. Then I got to use the restroom and get dressed and was home by 10AM.

I had my surgery on a friday and was back to work by monday. I physically felt fine the next day but sunday i was pretty exhausted from over doing it the day after. If i would've rested on Saturday I'm sure I would've been fine. I had a RX for vicoden and ibprofen but never needed them. I had a light period for 3 weeks and AF returned at 4.

Good Luck! You'll be in all our T & P!!!

sasa625 · October 2011

I'm so very sorry for your loss

I had a d&c 5 weeks ago. My DH was able to stay with me until they wheeled me to the OR. They put the IV in pretty soon after I went back to pre-op and right before they wheeled me to the OR, they gave me something to relax me. It must have really worked because I honestly don't remember anything after being wheeled into the room... I know I got in there and my doctor and nurse were helping me move to the table, but I don't remember actually getting on the table. The next thing I remember is waking up on the way to recovery. I was in a bit of pain, crampy and such, and I had a bit of bleeding (not too bad though). They gave me some ibuprofen for the pain and that really helped.

I was crampy the day of the surgery and a bit the next day, but that was it for the most part. I hardly needed the pain meds they prescribed for me. I took it the first 2 days to stay on top of the pain, but that was about all I needed. I bled for 2-3 days and then had spotting for about another week or so. I had some mild cramping on and off during that time as well, but nothing bad... they weren't really even as bad as AF cramps.

Physically, it really wasn't that bad, but it definitely took it's toll on me emotionally.

You'll be in my thoughts!!

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