Q for those who've had a D&C

alphaphi98 · February 2016

I have a D&C scheduled for this Friday to complete my miscarriage. Although it's been a difficult month, I'm really glad the D&C will give me the closure I need to heal and move on. I've never had a D&C, so I was wondering if those that have experienced it can give me some advice. I will be under general anesthesia for the procedure. They told me to fast for 8 hours.

Qs:

1. I hear the recovery is pretty quick right? I'm doing the D&C on Friday so that I can go back to work on Monday.

2. Other than pads, so I need anything else?

3. How long do I bleed afterwards? I hear it's like post-partum bleeding after delivering a baby. I've had the LEEP procedure before, and had to return to the ER later for complications and hemorrhaging. Hope D&C isn't like that.

4. Is recovery painful? I think my doctor will give me Motrin.

5. How long after the procedure will be period return? I'm not TTC. We're done. I want to insert an IUD after my recovery.

Thanks again for all your T&Ps during this past month. I wish you all a happy and healthy 8 more months of pregnancy. I'm really happy for you all!

LizC216 · February 2016

I'm sorry to hear that, but I totally understand getting closure. I have had three. I feel like, in general, my bleeding and cramping got worse after the first D&C, but nothing unmanageable. Here's some answers:

1. It was pretty quick. My procedures were all done at 1 in the afternoon (I wouldn't normally remember this, but it's ingrained in my brain that they only do them at 1 pm on Mon and Thurs). After the procedure, I was drowsy the rest of the night. I pretty much let my husband deal with my kids, so I could just rest. Just to give some perspective, my third D&C was done on my daughter's 2nd birthday. I was still able to have cake and pizza and watch her open gifts, I was just kind of out of it from the meds and the emotions. The very next day I was able to take care of my girls on my own and get them to where they needed to be no problem.

2. Pads should do it and ibuprofen.

3. So I think the first time it was maybe 7-10 days. The other times, I bled on and off for more like 2-3 weeks. The doctor was kind of surprised to hear it. In general, they always told me it would be like a period.

4. I had some pretty bad cramps, but it was like my period where I always had bad cramps. I just kept on top of the motrin.

5. Each time my period came back somewhere between 5-6 weeks after the D&C.

I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions or just want to talk, let me know. I'll be thinking of you.

ETA: I wasn't totally out for the procedure. It was more of a twilight sedation, like if you were to get a colonoscopy. I also agree that every person's experience is different. I was able to talk to my best friend about her D&C and hers was nothing like mine.

tinypikachu · February 2016

I had a natural miscarriage so I don't have any experience with a D&C, just what I have heard from others. I'm so sorry you're having to prepare for this procedure, it's so unfair. I just wanted to let you know that there is a pinned thread at the top of the Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss board with people's experiences with D&C, Cytotec and natural miscarriage. I read some of those when I was preparing to miscarry and it helped a lot!

Moxie1986 · February 2016

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Sending lots of positive healing vibes your way.

I had a D&C in September following my missed MC and also went under general anesthesia. Since you have the weekend to recover, I would imagine you would be fine to return to work Monday barring any unforeseen circumstances. I was advised not to operate a vehicle for 24 hours due to the anesthesia, so I worked from home the following day and returned to the office the day after that. I bled a lot - way heavier than any period I've ever had. I also had some clotting that was interesting but no cause for concern. This went on for about 10 days... at the time I was wondering if it would ever end! Lots of pads, yes - and for me I found that the higher the absorbency the better. I had some cramping but nothing too severe. Minor discomfort would best describe how I felt during recovery. My next period came exactly 5 weeks after the procedure. I'm not sure if it's related at all, but my next few periods were insanely heavy compared to ever before and it really caught me off guard. Just a warning in case you experience anything similar!

The emotional recovery took longer than the physical one, but the closure was definitely the start of the process. Best wishes to you and your family!

steminist · February 2016

I had a D&C under general in November. I was back to work after a day or two (it was on a Monday, and I worked on Wednesday). Monday I definitely felt the effects of he anesthesia, but Tuesday wasn't bad. Mostly stayed home for the 24 hr driving restriction.

I bled for a week after, though had been bleeding for 2 weeks prior. Your bleeding time might depend on how far along/how early your D&C is/etc. Pads were plenty, with panty liners near the end. I had almost no pain after, so the jumbo hydrocodone pills I was prescribed were definitely not needed for me. I'd say OTC painkillers, and call your doctor if it's not enough.

As for when your period returns, I would guess mine would have been ~4 weeks after, because I conceived again 2 weeks out from the procedure. I know my case is a bit on the extreme end, as many take much longer to ovulate again, but since you're not planning to try again, definitely check in with your doctor when you go for your follow-up. When she clears you for sex again, make sure you are prepared with your options!

erinmarie86 · February 2016

I've had 2 D&Cs....and both experiences were different...so please note that no matter what I or any other lady went through it may not be the same case for you.

1. I hear the recovery is pretty quick right? My recoveries were both relatively quick. I think I only took one day off from work. one was planned around the thanksgiving holiday so i had extra time.

2. Other than pads, so I need anything else? Just pads was all i needed (no pain down there like after birth)

3. How long do I bleed afterwards? With my first one, i had very little bleeding. maybe the equivalent to a period (and slightly lighter). With my second one, i had A LOT of bleeding and clots. But it only lasted for maybe 5 hours (usually got a big gush once i stood up). then it died down. I later found out that during the procedure i had a large gush of blood as well, so it probably clotted and then some how re-opened up (Sorry for TMI)

4. Is recovery painful? It was not painful for me either time. I don't recall taking any pain meds. But I also try to refrain from pain meds (didn't take any after child birth either)

5. How long after the procedure will be period return? I think mine returned 1-2 months after the procedure

mrsgillham14 · February 2016

Mine was under local anesthesia so my experience may vary a little bit.

1. I hear the recovery is pretty quick right? I'm doing the D&C on Friday so that I can go back to work on Monday. mine was done on Monday and I was at work on Tuesday. I was really tired after the procedure so I rested the rest of the day. I felt a little sore for a couple days but not bad b

2. Other than pads, so I need anything else? I didn't need a large pad when I left. I never really needed anything large. Make sure they give you some kind of pain medicine. They gave me ibuprofen 600(800?) and Tylenol with codiene. I alternated them for the first day. When I went back to work I used the ibuprofen at work then the Tylenol with codiene as soon as I got home. I could not have gone without pain meds.

3. How long do I bleed afterwards? I hear it's like post-partum bleeding after delivering a baby. I've had the LEEP procedure before, and had to return to the ER later for complications and hemorrhaging. Hope D&C isn't like that. I bled for about a week I think. 3 days after I had retained tissue and passed some large clots. Before that I bled a medium flow and after it went to spotting

4. Is recovery painful? I think my doctor will give me Motrin. the first day I definitely had to keep up with pain meds. After that I only took ibuprofen because I had to drive and it was tolerable but not my favorite. After 3-4 days the pain was gone and I was off the pain meds.

5. How long after the procedure will be period return? I'm not TTC. We're done. I want to insert an IUD after my recovery. mine came back I think 5-6 weeks later. My chart is in my siggy and you can see my post d&c one. It would have been my August cycle.

missfoxyleide · March 2016

Hi! I'm so sorry for your loss and that you are having to go through this. I had a D&C in August after my silent miscarriage. This is what I experienced. I did not go under general anesthesia so I had it done in office with pain meds, which I regret because it was one of the most painful and traumatizing experiences I have ever had. So, I'm glad you are going under general anesthesia. Afterwards, you just need pads and some pain meds. The recovery was pretty quick for me...I felt fine the next day and my recovery wasn't painful initially but unfortunately, I ended up getting an infection so that was the painful part. My doctor gave me Norco for pain. It was about a month and a half before I got my period. I hope it goes well for you and you have a speedy and pain free recovery.

Spindlek · March 2016

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. It sucks.

I had general anesthesia for my D&C and the procedure was very quick but the prep and recovery room took a while, I was there until late afternoon I believe and I was a little nauseated and out of it right up until leaving.

My physical recovery was really quick (not very much bleeding or pain), but I felt really odd for the first two weeks, the change in hormones plus the emotion really got to me. I remember them saying if I needed to be productive the next day I could but that seemed laughable, I was a mess. The day of I was pretty fine, in good spirits, grateful for how nice everyone was. It took me about 5 and a half weeks to get my period, I think 6 weeks is the max they expect. I went back in for a check up I think 2 weeks later which was just a physical exam to make sure I was healing okay.

Much love to you and I hope you have an easy time with the healing process!

pattygrazioso · March 2016

I had a d&c in Deceember 2013. It was general anesthesia for my loss at 9 weeks. I lightly bled for about 3 days, the first day being the heaviest. Don't recall needing amyhting for pain. Sorry you are going through this...

pellylang · March 2016

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I had a D&C in October after my second MMC.

1. I hear the recovery is pretty quick right? I'm doing the D&C on Friday so that I can go back to work on Monday. The recovery is pretty quick. I had mine on Thursday and was back to work on Monday. However, I left early Tuesday because I had awful cramping when passing a few larger clots.

2. Other than pads, so I need anything else? Pads and tylenol or motrin should do it.

3. How long do I bleed afterwards? I hear it's like post-partum bleeding after delivering a baby. I've had the LEEP procedure before, and had to return to the ER later for complications and hemorrhaging. Hope D&C isn't like that. I bled heavy for only a couple days, then passed some clots for a couple days and then was pretty much done.

4. Is recovery painful? I think my doctor will give me Motrin. Recovery wasn't too bad. They gave me a painkiller that I took the first day and then I took again during some of the painful clotting later.

5. How long after the procedure will be period return? I'm not TTC. We're done. I want to insert an IUD after my recovery. Mine returned after 5-6 weeks.

Be gentle with yourself! The emotional recovery was definitely more difficult than the physical one. I was constantly frustrated that I didn't feel better sooner. Your hormones will be out of whack for a little bit while you recover. I hope it goes well and your in my thoughts and prayers!

KarenBeth714 · March 2016

Thank you all for sharing your stories, wondering if anyone has had D&e at 15 weeks or more?

jackiel1987 · March 2016

Sorry that you are having to go through this. While I can not help answer the D&C questions, I wanted to mention that if you are really not TTC, I'd recommend something other than an IUD. My best friend got pregnant with an IUD in and she knows multiple people that have. When she mentioned it to her OBGYN, the OBGYN was not surprised at all. Apparently they're known to fail. You may want to look at something better or more permanent if you're done having children.

lilyaster · March 2016

I'm sorry for your loss. I had a d&c at about 12 weeks, and it went better than I expected. The procedure was quick. I was completely out for it, really had no pain afterwards, and the bleeding was light, maybe like a light period for a day and I only needed panty liners for a few days. My period returned in about 4 weeks. I had a lot of cramping before the period and the bleeding started very heavy and suddenly, so be prepared for a kind of weird first cycle.

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