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Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss
bunnybun4
member
Difference in d&c and d&e?
bunnybun4
member
I posted last night about my loss at 18 weeks. What is the difference in a d&c and a d&e? I just thought I was getting the d&c on Wednesday just because I had heard that Terminology before but after reading stuff am I correct in assuming that I will actually be getting the d&e because I am 18 weeks (and the baby's head is over 2 weeks ahead of that due to fluid) is the d &e more risky to future pregnancy and even though I can't imagine wanting to try and conceive again just yet, how long will we have to wait to let my uterus heal?
Sorry...just freaking out and need some answers.
8/12-Suprise BFP- Sweet Bunny Born Sleeping 11/21/12 (19 weeks)
-5/7/13- MMC (8 Weeks)
11/6/13- BO discovered at 7 weeks- natural MC 11/25/13
8/14- Surpise IF dx...low AMH (.24)- moving on to IVF
IVF #1- 11/14- 6R5M4F=2 perfect frosties
12/19/14- FET of 2 embabies = BFP!!! One Little Bean EDD: 9/3/15
Everyone Welcome.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Difference in d&c and d&e?
I have had two miscarriages earlier this year at around 8 and 9 weeks that required a D and C and recovering from those, for me, physically was harder than delivering this baby naturally. We got to see the baby and hold him which also was good for us.
Only you can decide, I wish you peace and quick healing no mAtter what you decide.
***sig warning***
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope you don't mind me replying, but I wanted to share my experience. I lost twins at 16 weeks earlier this year. My OB said the D&E is a little more technical in the 2nd trimester, so she referred me to a specialist. The specialist told me they felt inducing was more risky, because the there can be a lot more blood loss, so she really recommended the D&E and I went with the surgery.
There is always a very small risk of complications, but the doc said this surgery was actually less risky because it is done under ultrasound guidance the entire time, while a D&C is done blindly and has more risks of perforation or injury. I had to go in the day before to have laminaria (seaweed sticks) inserted to start dilating the cervix. These gradually dilate the cervix to prevent injury to the cervix. It was a bit painful that night, but the Percocets held the pain at bay. The procedure itself was quite easy with about 2 days of bleeding and about a week of spotting.afterward.
A 3 week post-op appt showed the cervix closed, the uterus returned to normal size, and everything healing. My period came 5 weeks after the surgery and cycles were normal after that. I was told to wait 3 months to TTC, more for emotional healing than physical healing. I did get pregnant 5 months later and everything is going well so far.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I understand the intense emotional pain, and that was always so much worse than any physical pain for me. It did get better with time for me. I hope that you find some comfort and peace during this very difficult time.
11/2010 - Surprise BFP - m/c @ 16 weeks - dx Lupus Anticoagulant
1/2012 - Clomid & IUI #4= BFP twins! On Lovenox - m/c @ 16 weeks
9/2012 - Clomid & IUI #5= BFP! EDD 6/6/13
I may have to wait....I'll never give up.
I guess it's half timing and the other half's luck. - Buble
Thank you so much for your responses, they are really making me feel better (as better as I could feel). ESP reading about your d&e as I haven't seen anything else posted about one. My OB def. wants me to do the d&e and not induction based on how far along I am as well as the issue with my baby's head being swollen at least 2-3 weeks farther than where I am and the blood loss I will have. She also told me I needed to wait 6 months solely because of the head size and the healing I will need for that.
Ughghg. I still can't believe this is happening but I am also ready to get past this procedure. Mine is also 2 days so I am thinking mine will be very similar to yours. Thank you so much for sharing.
P.s. how long did it take your bump to go down? I am soooo scared to go out in public because I feel I will lose it if someone comments on my bump?
ughghhg! This is my old bump Sn! I do not know how or why my phone switched the account!
-marylaurena
I had the D&E at 16 weeks. My recovery pain wise was pretty easy and after 2 days I was almost back to "normal". My bleeding was not as great as I bleed for 10 weeks straight then my first period came 3 weeks later.
Wishing you the best in your surgery and recovery.
I am sorry for your loss
I'm so sorry this happened to you. The same thing happened to us 6 weeks ago and we had a d&e at 19 weeks. We, too, were in shock. At 15 weeks the lateral ventricles were slightly enlarged;at 17 weeks, they were severly enlarged.
D& E is done after 12 weeks, d&c done prior to 12 weeks. When done in experienced hands, the procedure is safe for future pregnancy. I went to a high risk specialist at a top hospital in NYC, so felt safe. The dilation the day before was the worst part, physically, but not terrible. I was sedated during the procedure, had no physical pain afterwards. Bled for two weeks, got my period about 6 weeks later, today actually. I went back to work three days later. I probably should have taken off a week but I wanted things to get back to normal. Your hormones will crash and your milk will likely come in three days after the procedure. Mine did. Wear a sports bra, put on cabbage leaves and it will subside with in a week. Hormones take a few weeks to stabilize, the first week is awful.
The bump goes down after about a week and at this point it feels so long ago. Sadly, it feels as if we were never pregnant.
With time it gets better. About a month in, you should start to feel better emotionally.
Did you do IVF by any chance? We did and I wonder if that played a role.
Thank you so much for your detailed answers, and I am so sorry for your loss.
No, we did not do ivf. She was actually a very happy surprise. All of the dr.'s we have seen say they do not think it is genetic ( her body was perfect otherwise)...they think it is just some sort of mechanical fluke...a blockage in her brain. They gave us a 1-3 chance of it happening again.
8/12-Suprise BFP- Sweet Bunny Born Sleeping 11/21/12 (19 weeks)
-5/7/13- MMC (8 Weeks)
11/6/13- BO discovered at 7 weeks- natural MC 11/25/13
8/14- Surpise IF dx...low AMH (.24)- moving on to IVF
IVF #1- 11/14- 6R5M4F=2 perfect frosties
12/19/14- FET of 2 embabies = BFP!!! One Little Bean EDD: 9/3/15
Everyone Welcome.
I meant to say 1-3 PERCENT chance! My stupid iPad would not let me edit it.
8/12-Suprise BFP- Sweet Bunny Born Sleeping 11/21/12 (19 weeks)
-5/7/13- MMC (8 Weeks)
11/6/13- BO discovered at 7 weeks- natural MC 11/25/13
8/14- Surpise IF dx...low AMH (.24)- moving on to IVF
IVF #1- 11/14- 6R5M4F=2 perfect frosties
12/19/14- FET of 2 embabies = BFP!!! One Little Bean EDD: 9/3/15
Everyone Welcome.
We did extensive genetic testing even before the problem occurred (and after) and we're in the same boat-no genetic issues-which the doctors say is positive for this not happening again, should we get pregnant again. It's still awful. I don't know how these boards work in contacting people individually, but if anything else comes up, let me know, since I've been through this and the same problem so recently.
My therapist had recommended a closure activity, lighting a candle, writing a note, something that resonates with you. We did something the night before the procedure to honor the baby and it helped.
You'll heal emotionally and physically soon enough.