D&C or natural M/C

Campow83 · November 2013

Sadly I am here at this point in my pregnancy and I don't know which way to go. D&C would be quick but my husband and I are trying again and I don't want any possible damage to the cervix or scar tissue which I hear does happen and might jeopardize us. Or do I let it happen naturally? Scared of pain and how long this sometimes takes. Please anyone who has experienced a loss, tell me your thoughts

Pintobean39 · November 2013

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I had two d&c's many years a part and had no problems. My first my body never got the memo that I was miscarrying. The second I had started to miscarry on my own but I had already scheduled the D&C. Those 12 hours before, I was in HORRIBLE pain and when I got to the hospital I was bleeding pretty bad. I was so grateful when the dr got there and told them to knock me out. I was also 10 1/2 weeks if that even matters. The dr said when he went in during the procedure my cervix was open but the baby was still there. I wouldn't have done it any other way because they were doing chromosomal testing and I didn't want to have to get it out of the toilet.

My experience with a D&C is very minimal bleeding afterwards and no pain. If I lose this baby I will try to do it on my own because I don't want to have back to back D&C's.

It's really a personal choice and you have to do what you feel comfortable doing. Take care of yourself.

Also there is a miscarriage and loss board that I found very helpful when I had my mc. Or you can ask me any question, I'm very open in talking about my losses.

Natdubs · November 2013

I was 10 1/2 weeks and DID NOT want the D&C. I had gone through many cycles of IUI, many blood tests, many ultrasounds, and just decided for myself that I wanted the loss to be natural.

However, I bled for a week before it actually happened (while working the whole time, since I had a huge project that needed to get done and was working overtime) and the morning it did, I thought I was gonna die. Glad my mom lives across the street because she ran over to my house to watch my daughter while I was in and out of the bathroom in pain. Didn't get to collect any tissue either, since there was just so much clotting and blood.

Given the choice again, I think I might pick the D&C. Super sorry you even have to make the choice.

MommaAshley12 · November 2013

I had a natural miscarriage, was at 6 weeks and had started bleeding already. It was painful but not unbearable. If it had been a mmc I probably would have had a d&c just so that I wouldn't have had to wait. I'm so sorry you are in the position to have to make such a hard decision. Big ((hugs)).

Marcilene1 · November 2013

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. As for the d&c or induced miscarriage, I think it really depends on your situation and how far along you are. The best thing is to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of each, but I can tell you my experience. My last pregnancy the baby stopped growing at around eight weeks but it was not discovered until my ten week appointment. My doctor told me my options were either cytotec or a d&c. She told me there were risks with both, but in the end we decided on the procedure. Unfortunately, I began to miscarry naturally a few days later and some tissue was stuck and I was continuing to bleed profusely so they had to do an emergency d&c. I was really scared, but it was so quick and easy. I had zero bleeding afterwards and zero pain (just so e tenderness for a few days). I got pregnant again after my second cycle post d&c and so far no issues at all. Good luck with whatever you choose. I hope you find some peace in the coming days. (((Hugs)))

BarooGirl · November 2013

I am so sorry for your loss.

I have had both. My first I chose a d&c. I ended up having to have scar tissue removed later, but that is really rare. It was painless and easy but expensive (I have a hdhp).

My 2nd I chose to take cytotec to start the process, I was 11w. It was painful but I was at home.

I would choose cytotec again.

Again, I am so sorry you are having to make this decision.

Campow83 · November 2013

Curious to know why u would choose cytotoxic again over D&C?

Pintobean39 · November 2013

Campow83 said:
Curious to know why u would choose cytotoxic again over D&C?

D&C's are done in the hospital and you have to be put to sleep. Some people just don't want to go through that invasive a procedure.

With cytotoxic you are able to stay home. I've never done it so I'm not exactly sure about it.

austinlyns · November 2013

Sorry you are weighing these options. I have had both and I would opt for the d&c over natural. Waiting for the natural was brutal because you have no idea when it will happen. My natural MC was painful, plus it was scary because of the uterine contractions which i had never experienced before. This is terrible to think about, but with the natural miscarriage you will see everything that comes out. Be sure that you are ok with that. The natural mc scared me because I didn't know if my amount of bleeding was normal and then afterwards I worried that everything might not have cleared out.
If you opt for natural, I would ask for pain meds to take when it starts.
I have had 2 d&cs and with both It was quick, i had very little bleeding afterwards, and felt fine physically right away. So sorry you are in this position.

MonaMuse · November 2013

I did the cytotec and I think I would have preferred a d&c. I was 9 weeks and my baby stopped developing at 6 weeks, so I had a gestational sac and yolk sac but no baby. The first dose I took orally. I thought I was going to vomit and shit myself at the same time. (Sorry TMI)

The first dose didn't work. My doctor told me to wait until morning to start the next dose. So I got up at 4 am and had to insert it vaginally. I went to the doctor late that morning and they did another vaginal ultrasound. The PA thought the tissue was low enough that they could have just used forceps to grab it and remove it. Turns out it wasn't. They were digging around inside of me and pulling it out in pieces. They tried to have me push it out like I was delivering, but I had a c-section with my DS and I didn't know how. Eventually I had to get a shot in my cervix to numb it because it was too painful and I couldn't stand it anymore.

I don't think that's typical for cytotec. I took it on a Thurs night and Fri morning. My doctor wanted to make sure everything was cleared out before the weekend since the office wasn't going to be open. (Just in case of hemorrhaging.)

ETA: I am so sorry for your loss. T&P for you and your family. ((HUGS))

BruiserB · November 2013

I'm sorry you are in this place, I know it's a tough decision to make while you're trying to process the loss. With my last MC, I originally wanted to just wait for it to happen naturally, trying to avoid medical intervention if possible. However, my body wasn't realizing the pregnancy wasn't progressing and I still had not started bleeding 2.5 weeks after the baby had stopped growing. I chose to have a D&C because I emotionally could not handle waiting anymore - I was so very angry with my body, and I was really just a mess. I was also supposed to leave for vacation and didn't want to start miscarrying away from home. It was a quick procedure - I was home 2 hours after being wheeled back. I was crampy for a few days but the high dose Motrin I was prescribed controlled it fine. I bled enough to have to wear pads for a week, then spotted for another week. Emotionally it was nice to finally have it be done with...

MollySm · November 2013

I had a natural miscarriage with a blighted ovum. I had no desire to have surgery, and I really wanted to feel like I had given it every chance. I knew there was no hope, but I just wasn't ready to take the step and felt somewhat comforted by my body doing it naturally. I saw the empty sac on an ultrasound at 8.5 weeks, started bleeding about 4 days later. The bleeding lasted about 2.5 weeks, and was extremely heavy on the last day. It involved cramping, but only bad enough that I used ibuprofen occasionally. Some days were lighter and some were heavier.

I'm so sorry you are having to make this decision. ((hugs)) I really got a lot out of the miscarriage board, where I could talk my way through the whole experience.

catsinawindow · November 2013

I'm so sorry for your loss. My last BFP ended in a missed miscarriage and I considered the same options that you are currently weighing. I was 10 weeks when the missed miscarriage was discovered, although baby stopped developing at 6 weeks.

I wanted to wait for a natural miscarriage because I was afraid of the D&C procedure (never had surgery before) but my midwives only felt comfortable letting me wait for 2 weeks. They felt that after the baby had stopped growing for 6 weeks the risk of infection outweighs the risk of the procedure. I waited almost another two weeks, but showed no signs of a natural miscarriage what-so-ever, so I ended up needing the D&C.

The procedure and recovery was very quick and easy. I really had minimal pain afterwards and what pain I had was easily controlled by ibuprophen. I can give you more details about my experience if you want them. I am glad that I waited as it gave me some time to grieve and also convinced me that I "needed" the D&C. I was worried about the surgery's side effects too. Good luck in your decision.

rcbuko · November 2013

I am sorry for your loss. I have had four and have had experience with natural miscarriage (2 times), D&C, and manual aspiration. The natural miscarriages were both early (5 and 6 weeks) and not much more painful than a normal period. The D&C caused scar tissue to form and I had to have a hysteroscopy and second D&C to fix my uterus. I wasn't able to get pregnant again until the procedures were done. I had the manual aspiration at 11 weeks as a result of he,praying from my body trying to miscarry but not being successful. I chose not to have a D&C because of the prior scarring. The manual aspiration was painful but didn't cause further issues to my uterus.

peggels24 · November 2013

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just had to make this decision last week. I opted for a d&c because I was not strong enough emotionally to wait it out and because my mother nearly died twice when miscarrying naturally. The procedure was fine but I was in quite a bit of pain until Thursday. The bleeding has been light and pretty much gone now. I think if I had to choose again, I would make the same decision.

Unknown · November 2013

This content has been removed.

SarahSmile01 · November 2013

It seems like everyone on this thread knows how terrible this loss is. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through it now.

Personally, I lost my last pregnancy at 8weeks but it wasn't discovered till 9 1/2 weeks. We did and D&C and I'm so thankful we did because they tested the baby and our Dr was able to tell us what went wrong. Our baby had Trisomy 15 and would have died at birth had the pregnancy continued. We were then able to get genetically tested and take the steps necessary to prevent it from happening again. We are now pregnabt with a healthy baby. The recovery was painless physically and the knowledge gained through the D&C was incredibly helpful.

Wishing you all the best. So so sorry for your loss.

2ndGeneration · November 2013

I'm sorry, OP for your loss and also to the others of us here who've had losses...

I have had 2 natural m/c's. One was fairly early at 6 weeks-ish (this was 22 years ago). One was this year, at 10 weeks I started to spot and quicly progressed to bleeding-turns out baby had stopped forming around 8-9 weeks. I was given the options of-do nothing and wait, cytotec, or a d&c.

I chose to try cytotec. However, by the time I got the scrip the next day, I knew things were going ahead. I took one dose and did not have any side effects from it. Truthfully, the worst of the physical stuff was over in a few hours. I was home and comfortable as I could be in the circumstances. My cycle returned in 3 weeks right back on schedule, and I got pregnant after a few cycles.

For me, I wanted to avoid surgery if possible. I had enough fear and stress already. Now being pregnant again, and being at the point where the last one ended...I am of course hoping for the best but realistic to know I have to plan, and I woud probaby choose to go naturally or with cytotec again.

Again I'm sorry.

BarooGirl · November 2013

Campow83 said:

Curious to know why u would choose cytotoxic again over D&C?

I was one of the rare ones that had scary tissue that had to be removed, I didn't find this out until I lost my 2nd pregnancy. The Dr thought that the scar tissue inhibited my uterus growing too support the new baby... I'll never know for sure but I really feel the same. Granted its fairly rare.

If you choose cytotec, if take it vaginal. My first dose was oral and I puked and had diarrhea. Vaginaly, I didn't and thought it was easier. I did take 2 doses (pills up the hooha 2x for a total of 4x)

The cramps hurt and there was blood, it wasn't fun and took about 45m once it got started. Once it was over I really felt fine, bled lightly for a few days.

After, I had a hysterosopy and they removed the scars. I got pg right away and now have a 1yo.

You also might have some luck on the miscarriage or ttcal board getting info to help you make your decision.

BarooGirl · November 2013

If you choose cytotec, have your Dr rx you some pain needs to take with it.

Again, I'm so sorry.

The girls of ttcal are amazing and really saved my sanity.

Want a personalized experience?

D&C or natural M/C

Re: D&C or natural M/C

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

D&C or natural M/C

Re: D&amp;C or natural M/C

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Re: D&C or natural M/C