D&C Info

Hi everyone, I've got my first d&c on Monday and I'm freaking out just a little and I'm sorry if I'm going to put this wrong but I have a need to know.

What I need to know is what is going to happen?
How long the procedure is going to take?
Will I need to bring anything to the hospital such as pads etc?
I'm guessing it's a day procedure, but what happens if I react badly to the anethestic (sp)?
Is there anything that could go wrong?
What will the bleeding be like?

I think that's all for now, thank you for any advice and sorry if I offended anyone.

Hi Amanda, so sorry for your loss :(

I've had 2 D&C's both were different. The 1st one was done at a womans day surgery clinic place, I had to take my own pads. I had an appointment time, I got there, they got me in a gown, than a warm blanket over the top and I sat there and waited with my hair in a net, reading a magazine. They weigh you 1st and the anethetist asks you a bunch of questions, someone is pretty much with you the whole way, you hop on the table and they put another warm blanket on you and before you know it you are waking up in recovery and they are feeding you a biscuit and cordial, than you hop up and eat a sandwich and a cup of tea in a recovery lounge (not a room). I had to get antibiotics from the pharmacy after that one which gave me really bad colic pains for the whole week which was the worst thing but the bleeding was like a normal period. The 2nd D&C was at a private hospital with my OB, it was nicer because I was waiting in my room in my bed so felt a little more relaxed, I didn't have a set surgery time but because of the comfort of the waiting conditions I didn't mind so much, all I knew is that it would be before lunch. They gave me antibiotics through a drip that time at the end of the opperation so I didn't have any of the bowl problems like the 1st D&C. Again the bleeding was like a normal period and there was no pain at all. I didn't have to take any pads to the private hospital just comfy clothing and a change on underwear I think... It would be best to check what you need to bring with the hospital you are going to. With the 1st D&C I think I got there around 1pm and left around 5:30 and with the 2nd I got there at 6am and left around 3pm?

What they are actually doing is giving you a good clean out up there and taking out any products that could still be in there. Because your so clean in there it can make concieving again easier. Good luck with everything :hug:

The Dr's and nurses will be very kind and caring, they certainly have been to me every time I have had surgery. You will be out of it for about 15-20 mins only and most of that is in the op room and recovery. Like cherished1 has posted, it is like a normal period afterwards, my Obs let me know I may not bleed for a few days as a 'plug' forms but when that passes it is just like normal.

I have a bad reaction to GA's but the nurses are prepared for that. They give you lots of time to wake up, I wake up very groggy and feeling very sick. They sit me up, give me a drink and encourage me to eat. Unfortunately most of that comes straight back up :( But they can give you something to stop you feeling sick and the nurses are soooo caring.

Hope this helps

Big fat hugs my love, I have no advice, but I am so sorry for your loss.
xx

Hope all goes well hun!

Oh babe, I am so sorry to hear that :hug:

Mine was much like cherished explained, only mine was through the public system. I did have to wait for ages, but it was over fairly quickly and I left very soon after as I felt 'great' (YKWIM). I didn't have to take anything and since I wasn't there long after, didn't really need anything.

Basically I went into daysurgery, got booked in, waited. They wheeled me to theatre, a cannula was inserted and I was taken into the room. Don't remember much after that (but I do know what happens having done many - just didn't know how much detail you wanted) and woke up a bit groggy in recovery.
Was there about 1/2hour then back to day surgery and home soon after.

Bleeding for me wasn't heavy, but neither is AF. Had a normal cycle straight away.

If there are probs with bleeding or the anaesthetic they will usually transfer you to the regular surgical ward and keep you overnight, but if it's something they have space for and it's early in the day then you will just stay in the recovery area of day surgery and the staff there will monitor you.

:hug: again.

Oh hun, I am so sorry :hug: :hug: I hope you get through the weekend ok and that it goes well on Monday :hug:

I went through the public system, and it was really quite quick. Initial consult at 11:30, thought that was just going to be a "Yeah, look, maybe we can get you in next Thursday" but they had me prepped for theatre by 2pm. I was in a private room, gowned up and with compression stockings on my feet. I had to tell the story of what had happened to every new person I met - they seemed not to be able to read my file. :rolleyes: It sucked, but I'm just letting you know, so you mgiht be better prepared.
The procedure itself takes about 15 minutes. Woke up in recovery, told the recovery nurse he didn't look very cool (lol!) went back to my room where DH was, had some food, and once I'd done a wee and felt OK it was good to go.
Because it happened so fast, I hadn't taken pads or anything - I explained this to the midwives and they went and found me some.
I don't know about reaction to anaesthetic.
There are risks involved. These will be explained to you when you sign your consent form. Asherman's syndrome, future cervical incompetence, infection are probably the worst. Don't read up too much on these.
The bleeding afterwards was really no big deal - a handful of spots a day for 12 days. The next AF though was ghastly.

BUT as cherished said, it's a good spring clean, it resets the "clock" of your cycle and can make it easier to ttc. I honestly never felt my girly bits were in better shape than I did after it. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to try though.

Things to take with you:
Pads
Normal toiletries (I felt so good after having a shower.)
Something good to read.
Someone to support you, if you can.

Best of luck. :hug: Will be thinking of you.

What is going to happen?
I went in at 9am, was booked into the ward & left for a little while. I then had gel inserted as my cervix was still very very closed. I had to stay laying down for an hour while it worked, was really weird I could feel it tingling. I then just had to wait for my spot in theatre. I went in at around 12.30pm. Mine was a bit out of the ordinary as I was very very upset so they let DH into the theatre which isn't normal procedure. I was given something to calm me down & was to be given gas to knock me out. When I shuffled onto the operating table I noticed blood which freaked me out as I had had no bleeding, but that is normal with the cervix gel starting to work. I hadn't slept properly for three days so the first lot actually knocked me out so I'm not sure if they even did the gas. I woke in recovery very confused, but there was a nurse right next to me. The throat tube had already been removed by the time I woke up. I then went back to the ward & had something for lunch. I was allowed to go home once the drip for fluids was removed & I went to the toilet.

How long the procedure is going to take?
The actual procedure took a little bit over an hour from when I went into theatre to when I was out of recovery & back on the ward.

Will I need to bring anything to the hospital such as pads etc?
I took a few pads but only need one for when I got dressed to go home as I stayed in the gown with no knickers on & a surgical padding thing between my legs. I'd take a book or something to entertain you while you wait because it can take some time between booking in & actually going to theatre. I found that part the hardest but was lucky DH was with me.

I'm guessing it's a day procedure, but what happens if I react badly to the anethestic (sp)?
I'm not sure about that.

Is there anything that could go wrong?
As with any anesthetic there is a risk of reacting. As for the actual procedure I think there is the possibility of the cervix becoming damaged with the dilating of it. I can't remember exactly how or what it was they said, but it's not very common.

What will the bleeding be like?
I bled like a light period afterwards for around a week and then had spotting for three more days.


Good luck with it all :comfort: The thought of it really is much worse than the reality. For me I found peace afterwards as it was all over & there was no more hoping & I could get on with grieving.

Any yep Snugglybean is right, every person you see will ask you what procedure you are having. I cried every time someone asked :( I even had the stupid woman doing my BT ask "have you been pregnant in the last three months?" I started sobbing & said well I am pregnant but my baby has died & she apologised & said "so you're going to theatre now? that's why they rushed you through."

I have had a few D&C's, all public not sure how long they take, just woken up in recovery feeling like I had had a good sleep which was well needed.. Until reality hit!! Pads etc were provided, while i was there, at home I used just regular pads and changed often < I had clots pass which can be quite normal, and a bit of stomach pain and shoulder pain, i believe they tilt you back, but i stand to be corrected on that >
I have been quite emotional on waking up, once asking if my baby was okay!!! Very keen to get home, but also very lost, emotional sore and sorry for myself once there, it is very difficult so take care, maybe have a friend drop by, everytime you go to the toilet is a reminder, you are'nt really up for visitors but someone who will sit and have a cuppa and general conversation can be a godsend.

My next AF was delayed sometimes for a while. ( too long becasue I really wanted to try again, also going out is difficult mainly shopping centres where there are lots of preg woman and new babies and believe me you see every one of them...including the ones who don't deserve them...very unkind of me but thats the raw emtional state you are in.. lots of people will say things that are well meaning but insensitive, try and not take it on board or personally they just don't understand eg; at least you know you can get preg, don't worry you can try again soon, there must have been something wrong with the baby.

Ongoing pain, needs to be investigated, after 1 D&C I had pain for about 3 weeks period type pain then one night I had contraction type feeling only to hop up and deliver further products which required another D&C (i have no idea how they could miss so much, but they did and i required antibiotics) i don't think meds are somethign they usually give only if required in the event of infection.
Take care the intial procedure is only a small part, it is very hard to deal with the emotional rollercoaster afterwards. Hugs!!!!

Ummm, this thread needs a little :grouphug:

So many beautiful ladies sharing.

Thank you everyone for sharing such an emotional experience with me, it has settled some of my nerves, but I'm starting to get a bit anxious as I have to be there tomorrow at 9am. My DH is coming with me.

Yes I've already had some really insensitive comments from some people, one was from a friend that had her first baby 5 weeks ago, she asked exactly what they did in the procedure, what's up with that :dunno: and a really crap one from my own mother,

Mum "oh was it a planned pg?"
Me "no"
Mum "I hope your not planning on another one then"
Me " we're not planning anything past Monday"

Now how rude and ununderstanding is that, yes I know we have 5 kids but we look after them finanically and emotionally not her, she lives 4hrs away and sees them maybe 3-4 times a year, sorry just had to get that out as I didn't tell DH as he would have been ropable.

Big :hug: to all of you and thank you for sharing your painful stories with me.

Oh Amanda :comfort: What a horrible thing to say especially now, when you are right in the middle of dealing with losing your baby. Some people just have no idea :(

:hug: amanda, those sound pretty horrible comments. I found when I had mine some people said terrible things cause the just didn't know what to say and said the first thing that came into their head. but feel free to vent away here :hug:

Hi Amanda. I just saw your post. I am so very sorry for your loss.

If you are going to Logan Hospital be prepared for a long wait. When I had my DandC I had to be there by 7am but the procedure was not done until 2pm and I was home by 4pm. Take a good book.

I found the reception staff just horrible but all the other nurses and doctors were excellent. The recovery staff were very caring and friendly. They will give a sandwich and juice before you go home. Your DH and family will be able to pick you up straight from the recovery chairs and take you home.

I didn't have a lot of bleeding afterward but I did have cramping for a while.

Take care and big hugs

Amanda I am so sorry I only just found this :(

The one thing I would add is to be prepared for really up and down emotions. My m/c was a blighted ovum and while I felt intellectually ok about it all, emotionally I was a real mess, especially the day after (I guess it's the hormones).

I know this is not what you are supposed to say but it might help to try and take solace in the babies you have - I actually found that thinking how lucky I was to have my boys and how so many women have to go home after a d&C to an empty house with no children actually helped me cope. I know it won't replace the baby you wanted but but I know you will know what I am getting at.

HTH

Yes Rory I so get that, I've intellectually come to terms and understand it, so thank you for you post.

Ok will be heading off soon and am getting a bit nervous now, hopefully that will calm down soon. Talk to you all later.

:hug:

Just wanted to send you some warm hugs for today Amanda, my thoughts are with you and your family, I cannot imagine what you must be going through today :hug: :comfort:

Thinking of you today Amanda :comfort:

I'm so sorry for your loss hun :( :hug: