D&c? - Troy,NY

Dear S., I am very sorry about your loss and the other things you went through. Take the time to grieve your loss. About the D&C. I believe the doctors do that to clean out the sides of the uterous. Just as after you deliver, there can't be anything left inside. You can ask and you should be given an answer. Best wishes, Grandma Mary

Just so that you are aware that there have been misdiagnoses of miscarriage. It is actually now recommended to get a second opinion ultrasound.

Dear S.,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I have had three miscarriages as well- 2 before my son was born and another between my son and daughter. For the first one, once they confirmed the fetus was dead, they let me wait a few days to see if it would pass naturally. When it didn't, I decided to do the D&C to put it behind me. For the other two, I wanted a less invasive option and the doctor gave me a prescription for cytotec (misoprostol). It's a pill but if used vaginally, it begins contractions and allows your body to expel the fetus without having to go through a medical procedure. Since I knew I wanted to try again, I thought this was a better choice than another D&C. You do have cramps (definitely not as intense as labor at full term) and bleeding. But once it's done, I only had to wait one cycle before it was ok to try again. I hope this info helps. Be well.

There has to be another way to remove the baby. Don't let them tell you it will "pass" on it's own. It will turn into a poison in your body and screw up your insides if left in there.

I had a D&C back in 1990. They messed up my tubes and ovaries to the point I would never conceive again...left scar tissue and turned into emdomitriosis. My body eventually healed and I had two children after that but the pregnancies were high risk due to the procedure.

I don't know what to tell you. get a second opinion.

I'm so sorry for your loss. First let me say that I have never had a D&C. I have had 2 miscarriages. One at 5 weeks, and one at 13 weeks. The one at 13 weeks was very painful, exactly like labor, and just as long. Everything happened at home, and I did not know before hand that the baby had died. I knew what was happening and saw no reason to go to the doctor since it could not be prevented. I would think that one of the reasons doctors like to do a D&C is because of the pain that comes with letting things happen naturally. Also because if your body doesn't expel the fetus on it's own it can poison you, and you can die. It does seem rather odd that your doctor wanted to do the precedure right away though, instead of giving you a few days to see what would happen. Again, I'm sorry for your loss and your horrible experience today.

Hi S.,
First off, I'm so sorry to hear that you have had a miscarriage. (I had a miscarriage November '07 and was devastated. Since then I had my first baby boy who is 7 weeks old). The doctors do a D&C which basically cleans out your uterus. True, your body may pass everything on its own, but that is not always pleasant because you may bleed a lot or experience mild contractions. The thought of a D&C might be scary, but the sooner it is done, the sooner you can start healing physically and mentally. And the D&C really isn't so bad.
Hope that helps. :-)
Val

S., I know it's hard dealing with a miscarriage. I had 3 and a D&C after an almost 12 week pregnancy. It was very difficult for me. As soon as I learned that there was no heartbeat, my doctor sent me to have another ultrasound for peace of mind for me and then I had a D&C the very next day. You have a very good doctor to do it so quickly. You certainly don't want to wait for it to pass. It is painful, bloody and very emotional and you wouldn't want it to happen while you were in a church, driving or at a birthday party. Not only that, waiting only prolongs the emotional pain and you still have to go to the doctor after to make sure everything came out. I was at the grocery store checkout when I had my miscarriage and I barely made it home. I ran in the house and straight to the bathroom and was almost passing out. My husband took care of the groceries and kept our two children occupied so I could deal with it. I am sorry that you lost your baby, but your doctor is just trying to avoid you unnecessary pain.

I am 42, have 3 children: 8, 6 and 4. Married for almost 18 years! Have a dog and a cat. My father passed away in June 2005 after about 10 years of Alzheimer's as well.

Dear S.. I am sorry for your loss if its any help I been there I had 3 miscarrages in my life and neither one was easy to except,Please know that there was nothing you did wrong though to cause it!! It sometimes just happens ...But know that someday you and your baby will be together again in heaven.And for now the baby is one of GODS angel...The reason they suggest a d&c is to clean you out from all the blood and such..you would pass your baby, but you still have to clean out the blood and such so infection dont set in..Oh I dont know if they told you this or not but you shoudnt try to get pregent for at least a year because when a miscarrage happens it scars your utrus and if your egg attaches again to the scar part it has no way of holding on to the wall and you will miscarrage again, So try to heal first physical and emotional befor you try again and Enjoy your other three blessings from God in the mean time..Take care and God Bless......

S.-

I am so sorry for your loss--a miscarriage is a terrible experience and is very traumatic. I suffered a miscarriage prior to having two healthy pregnancys and ultimately two beautiful sons. I did have a D&C after my miscarriage. The doctor said that although my body might clear itself out, that there could be some tissue left that needs to be removed. I think that you should discuss this with your doctor and if you are not happy with his/her response, you should get a second opinion. Best of luck to you!

First of all, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss. I miscarried at 10 wks also (before conceiving my son) and it was devastating. No matter if it's 10 weeks or later, you're just as attached to the thought of that baby.

Great question you've asked also. I was told I had a choice between and D&C or just let my body naturally pass it, and I chose the D&C just because I wanted to move on as quickly as possible. I'll be looking forward to hearing the other responses as to why they do the D&C at all if your body will just pass it soon enough....

Again, so sorry to hear that. Nothing plays on our emotions worse that something like this.

Lynsey

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I did too and got a D&C because my doctor said if you don't, you'll have very heavy bleeding and severe cramping for up to 2 weeks. With a D&C, it's over in an outpatient procedure and you're on your way to recovery that much faster. Good luck to you.

I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost a baby at 10 wks. I was very sad for a long time. My doctors and mid-wife never even mentioned a D&C. They never even had me come into the office after my ultrasound. They had me go for blood work every week for about 1 month to make sure my hormones went back to normal. Your body will pass the baby but it could take a couple of weeks. I bleed for about 12 days. I have had 2 girls since my loss and am so thankful for them everyday. Trust your faith in the lord and know you are not alone.

I am very sorry about your loss. I've had multiple mcs and several D&Cs. Because of my strange anatomy (long story), we thought that I had completed a first trimester mc & was just having double periods so no D&C was ordered. I had on and off bleeding for 10weeks before we realized that the mc was not complete. I finally passed all the tissue and had an ultrasound to confirm that it was complete. It was a long and difficult process and I felt sick most of the time. Had we known what was happening, I would have gone for the D&C.

The reason why many drs recommend a D&C is because of the risk of infection if tissue remains in the uterus. However, it is certainly possible for you to complete the mc naturally. It just might take a long time. I hope that this does not happen to you again but if it does you can certainly opt not to have the D&C and have regular check ups to see how the process is progressing. Your history would lend weight to your decision to use that approach. You can also talk to your Dr about alternative anesthesia.

I was misdiagnosed for many years before I finally realized that I had to take responsibility for my own health and question my Drs. It takes courage but Drs have different opinions, knowledge and skills and none of them have as much at stake as you do so don't be afraid to question them and chose the path that feels right for you. I know it's really hard to think about all of this right now. Sending ((hugs)) your way. Best of luck to you.

I have had to have a few done. It is mostly quick to have it done so your body doesn't get sick from a foreign matter in your body that it might not come out or at least not all of it. That is just what your body thinks it is. I understand a miscarriage and a stillborn. I had to have one for a miscarriage and then have surgery because I had an ectopic pregnancy. I had one done in 08 3 months after i had my daughter because I had placenta left. Are you allergic to the anesthesia? They might have to put you out in another way. Maybe something that makes you sleepy but your awake. I had to have that done immediately after having my last daughter for cervical repair.

Hi S., im sorry for your loss! the reason they do a D/C is to make sure there is nothing left in your Uteris that can give you a serious infection! I have had one myself & it is not very painful.feels like menstral cramps& also should u decide to try again for another child, u dont have to worry about scar tissue. My depest sympathy for your loss& may God Bless
E. NB

I'm sorry for your loss.

I just found out that they recommend D&C because women can hemorrhage with a "natural" miscarriage. Apparently, the bleeding is less with a D&C.

Sympathy to you S.
I am so sorry for your loss!
My prayer is that you know that the baby is now home with Jesus and that your dear mother knew the Lord as well and can now hold that wonderful child.
Jesus is the only way to get through anything, and if you want to just visit, write me.
God bless you with His peace and energy to see your older children with new appreciation.
K. --- SAHM married 38 years --- adult children 37,33,and 18 yo twins.

hi
i recently had an un-medically-assisted miscarriage at about 10wks. it was hard, more emotionally that physically, but i wanted to add to the opinions and advice you got already... i expected that the main "miscarriage" would be over in one shot, but for me it took 3 days. not at all straight! but i had app. 2 hour "sessions" on the toilet each day. i freaked out when it started again the second day, so that's why i wanted to mention it. all in all, like i said, the physical part was a drag, but not awful- but that's just my experience! i know people who have had a d&c, taken drugs to induce the miscarriage, and who let their body work it out. having gone through it, i can see the merits of each method. and as you can attest, they all have their risks, and they have their benefits too. trust what feels most comfortable to you, and keep the conversation open with your doctor. i also wanted to say that while you should ask your doctor about your specific case, i was told by my doctor that i could get pregnant again as soon as i felt ready for it. a midwife i had been speaking to recommended waiting a few cycles. in my case, i wasn't ready right away. my sis-in-law on the other hand was and was pregnant in two weeks. like i said, definitely ask you doctor about all this for yourself! one other thing, as much as is comfortable in your relationship, talk to your husband. he will be experiencing this differently, but he too will be experiencing a loss. this line of communication (as well as ones with other people in your life!) may also be helpful for you to feel like you have such a close confidant to relate to, especially if you start to feel isolated by this experience. sorry, this got a bit longer than i intended;)
be good to yourself, and as you can see- it happens to A LOT of women!!! you are so not alone.

S.
I too just had a miscarriage at 10 weeks. I did not have the D&C. my doctors gave me a choice to wait a few days to see if my body passed everything. I had several ultrasounds over the next two weeks to see what was left. I had an 'all clear' nod from the doctor just shortly before the 2 week mark of the begining of the bleeding. it can take longer I heard and they often recommend the D&C if things are not done at 2 weeks. I also had an ectopic pregnancy before this and had no D&C then either. I passed that one as well. with the ectopic there was more concern but again different doctors said to wait and see before a procedure. I had a beautiful little girl between the two loses. she is Zoe, Life in Greek. a true gift from God. a blessing long waited for and fulfilled by God.

I say the doctors you saw were indeed quick to opt for a D&C. depends on the doctors and your choice.

S., so sorry for your loss. I know how hard miscarriages are as I have suffered through three myself. I had a D&C with one of them because I was also ten weeks and it was not passing on its own. I think docs are quick to do a D&C because most women just want to get back to "normal"..the waiting part can be very traumatic. Good luck to you and be kind to yourself.

L.

First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss and that you had such a rough time with the D&C. It sounds like you have lots of love and support from your family to help you get through it. It helps to talk about it and even have a religious ceremony to acknowledge the loss of your baby.
As far as the miscarriage goes, my best friend went through the loss of a pregnancy at 14 weeks and she insisted on doing it naturally. It was almost like a mini labor, so many women would rather not go through that. My friend found it cathartic and said feeling the pain helped her get through it. But I think (I could be wrong) that since you were a bit earlier on, that it would not be as bad as it was for her. As long as your doctor is monitoring you, I think it's safe. The doctor's concern is if there is anything left inside you that does not pass, this could cause an infection and it could be very dangerous for you. That is why many doctors routinely do a D&C to prevent this.

I think for a couple of reasons. One, you can get an infection so the D&C will prevent that and it makes sure everything has come out and that you are completely cleaned. Also, the emotional turmoil one may go through while waiting for the body to pass the baby may be unbearable for some women.
I had a friend who miscarried and she begged the Dr's for a D&C and they wanted her to wait and pass it on her own. It was an awful experience for her emotionally.
They should put you under for a D&C and they are really no big deal.
I had one after my first child because I hemmorhagged.
I'm not sure why you had a bad reaction but that's something the Dr's should know and if they do I'm sure there are other medications that can be used to put you under or even slightly under.
I am so sorry for your loss and wish you the best during this time.

Hi. I'm sorry about your miscarriage, I had one myself and know how painful it is.

Why where your doctors so in rush to do a D&C? Your body should expel on its own within 3 months (12 weeks) and if it doesn't, get an injection - it's called Methotrexate. That's what I had. It forces the fetus out if it doesn't expel on its own. It's like a forced miscarriage but a lot more pleasant than a D&C (and less risk on future pregnancies). You get the shot, and within 24-48 hrs, you get bad cramps (yes, take painkillers) and then you'll run to the toilet and expel pieces of stuff that looks like chicken livers (I know, it sounds nasty). But trust me, it's better and no funky objects go into your body. I hope your age doesn't affect whether you can have the shot or not. Also, after the shot, you can get pregnant again after like 3 months. Best of luck. Let me know if you have questions. Remember, it's your body and your choice what you want done to it or not.

I am sorry for your loss. I had a miscarriage in July 07 and had it "naturally" I don't know about the D&C but know that my body did it all natural. Some times that works sometimes it doesn't. I think the dr. are fast for D&C because of the risk of infection. I was 6w4d and miscarried the day after "trouble" started. The doctor suggested a d&c but I refused. He said that we may have to go that route if the total miscarriage didn't take place within a few days due to infection. Again so sorry. A.