Nervous About Procedure

I had a D & C about 3 years ago for a miscarriage. It was easy and relatively painless. Like others said - you go in and are under before you know it. Then you are in the recovery room. I came home that day and just laid around and the next day I was out and about. I took it easy for a few days. Good Luck!

I recently had an ablasion which is when they burn off the lining of the uterus. No problem at all. I had no pain and no side effects. My deal was a little more invasive than a regular D&C, but I had no problem.

Have you tried going to another GYN to see if they could get it out? Mine had a hard time finding the strings as well. It took some time but she found it hidden in the folds - not to say that your GYN hasn't tried to find it. It may worth a shot before having to go through surgery.

The first thing that comes to mind is make sure it really is still there before doing anything. How do you know it hasn't come out on it's own? And I haven't had a d&c, so sorry I can't help answer your questions.

E.,

I understand your fear, but a D & C really isn't much more complicated than getting your tonsils out. I've had 2 of them and the healing process is really pretty easy. You do have to take it easy for about 6 weeks (no heavy lifting)but you should be able to go back to work (if the work is really easy and doesn't require hard labor) in 2-3 days usually. Any invasive procedure has risks but this really isn't a big deal. Having the IUD stay inside of you is really much more dangerous because of infection.

I hope all goes well for you as it did for me.

T.

I have had a D&C before - and I've had Mirena removed - but not in the same visit. It's not so bad, I promise. Make sure to ask your doctor about a hysterosalpingogram to make sure that your uterus hasn't been structurally compromised by the IUD if you're planning to get pregnant again.

S.

I had an IUD they couldn't find, & like you I was scared, prayed etc. and gratefully, they found it on the next visit and I got it out. I think they even took an x-ray if I remember right, it has been several years ago. I'm sure all will be o.k.,but it sure is nerve wracking.

There is not reason to be nervous. The procedure is short and fairly easy. I had very little to no pain any time I had the procedure done - I have had four of the same surgery to get rid of material left behind in four different miscarriages. The worst thing for me was I felt totally drained for up to a week with each one. The best advice I can give is take a couple of days to relax and do nothing following the procedure. I think the more you can rest right after, the easier you recover. You feel totally fine just low on energy. There wasn't anything I didn't feel like I couldn't do even the day of surgery after I got home.

Best wishes,
J.

I'm sure you have already been scolded by your gyno for not checking for the strings monthly in the first place, but have you EVER felt the strings? Did you suddenly stop feeling them? My Mirena was placed improperly and I never felt the strings at all, but the Dr. was able to see it, and she plucked it out with forceps, are you sure you did not lose it already? has the gyno done an ultrasound to locate it, to make sure it is even still there? Now, if you read the warning package that came with your mirena, it says this is a common problem, so take a deep breathe and you will be fine, it will cramp like a bugger, but you will be okay. I can't imagine it being as bad as the D&C you get after a miscarriage, so don't be so scared. Good luck with this, and if you use a mirena again, ask the Dr. how to check the strings properly, no one ever showed me how,it's a wonder I wasn't pregnant is what my gyno told me!

The procedure will take less then 15 mins. They will put you under anesthesia and then wheel you into the OR room. In the OR they will dilate your cervex and remove the Mirena IUD. You will be able to go home the same day. Be sure to tell the anesthesia person that you are a little nervous and they will give you a little something extra to take the edge off of the surgery.

E.,

I had a D&C when I had a miscarriage in Feb 2007. DO not be afraid. At least this way you have some preparation and you have time to learn about the procedure. The procedure is very common and you will actually not even know it happened. I left the hospital with absolutly no pain or discomfort. I know that every procedure is nerve racking, but this procedure is simple. I hope all goes well.

Have you ever been put under anethesia before? I had a D & C in Feb due to a miscarriage. Once i was prepped, with the IV the anethesiaologist and nurse made sure all was set, i was wheeled in the the OR, and yes they do look like they do on TV, i moved to the table, asked some silly bervous questions, they the dr gave me an injection i started counting backwards from 100...i think i had gotten to 96...then i woke up with the dr telling my hubby & friends how everything went. It is a very easy and common procedure. I was in alot less pain from the D & C than i was from the laporscopy surgery i had in 2002. Good Luck.....You will be fine!!!!

I had a D&C after I had my daughter, because they thought there might be some of the placenta left. I was in and out in the same day. They put you under with anesthesia, but even that was not a big deal - and I usually respond very strongly to anesthesia. It's not even a surgery, really, but more of a procedure, since there is no cutting.

No, I was thinking about getting a Mirena and now I'm definitely not. Thank you for sharing that.
I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I'm going to be praying for you!
K.

Dear E.,

I've had a D&C for another reason, a miscarriage. If you're afraid of the procedure, don't be. I've had several other types of surgeries and that was the easiest one. I was taking walks around the neighborhood the day of the procedure, and spring cleaning my house the next day. Hang in there.

L. F.

Hi E.,

Try not to be afraid! I have had 2 D&C's,for miscarriages, and it was an easy procedure and simple recovery! I did not have one with my first miscarriage (I've had 3) and wished I had after having the first one done! Best wishes and take care!
K.

I have had a D & C many years ago, It was no big deal back then and I would think it would be much easier now. I was put to sleep and when I woke up,I was sent home. The worst part was the prept for surgery. It had nothing to do with removing a IUD. That had not been invented back then,

I am so sorry this is happening. I didn't know this was a possibility with a Mirena. I have one as well, and just wasn't aware (I've not tried to get it taken out yet). It sounds from the other responses though that it is a relatively quick procedure. How long have you had it? Did you ask your doctor what the chances were of this happening?

I had a Mirena IUD with lost strings in Oct of last year. My Dr did an ultrasound of my pelvis to locate the IUD. It had traveled through my c-sec scar of my uterus into my abdomen. They did a cat scan to confirm location, and then went in laproscopically through my belly button to remove it. The recovery wasn't bad, and the surgery only took about 30 minutes. HTH.

M.
www.anytimecprtraining.com

E.,

I know nothing about any of this. The reason I am responding is because maybe you should see if another doctor can find the strings before you have the D & C. And like someone else said, maybe the strings fell out? Is there a way to know for sure if the strings fell out before you have the D & C? I'd check into all of this before you have the surgery. Do your homework! Best of luck.

A D&C is a VERY common procedure. I had one when I had a miscarriage and a friend of mine had one when she had severe menstural bleeding. no pain was involved I was totally asleep and home in a couple of hours.

It is a procedure that removes the lining of the uterus and sort of scrapes you clean.

For me and the reason I had to have one (miscarriage) it was safe and I had no problems.

Good luck-A. J

Yes E. I had it done back in 2006. I went in to have my Mirena removed but it had been pushed so far in me till my dr had to do a D&C it was not as bad as I thought it would be just alot of pressure. Other than that it was not bad at all.

I know the thought of going under is scary. The worse part of the procedure is getting the iv in before they give you the medication. I have had an ablation which is where they perform a D & C and then burn the inside of your uterus. I had terrible bleeding and had this procedure done a year ago. I have also had a D & C done because of other female problems. I remember cramping some after the procedure, and having some bleeding afterwards ~ that I wore a panty liner for. I was tired for a few days and was told to rest and take it easy and not to lift heavy things for a few days. Take the pain medication if they give you any and get some rest! Again, I know how scary it can be to have to have surgery, especially if you were not expecting it at all! I think the loss of control is hard too. Try and get a good nights rest before the procedure and take care of yourself after. best of luck to you. Everything is going to be alright.

I am a GYN specialty tech in surgery at a large area hospital. I have seen many of these procedures and I can tell you you have nothing to worry about. It is a very simple procedure and will take only a few minutes. Your doctor is probably having you go to surgery to make it easier on you. Your body is much more relaxed and the doctor will have the opportunity to use instruments he may not ahve at the office for the removal. Don't worry...it will be fine.

Hi E., I had a D&C when I was 20, talk about freaked out. I had polyps on my uterus. The worst part is the IV, then they put the medicine in and you go to sleep. I was tired so I slept for a couple of days and I had some cramps but nothing you can't stand. You will be fine. Oh, I remember being very nauseated. The stuff they put you under with makes me very nauseous, so if they give you phenergan, take it!