Questions Regarding D&C Procedure

Mine was after a miscarriage, but I felt very sore and crampy. I was sedated, so that I didn't have to experience the sucking sound and sensation from the machine.

I recently had a D&C, and it was a breeze--only minimal bleeding afterwards, and I didn't even need any of the prescribed pain medication. This one was scheduled because I was post-menopausal and started spotting. After over a year of monthly chemical D&Cs (10 days worth of progesterone to force bleeding), I was still spotting, so the doctor did a vaginal ultrasound. This showed that the lining of the uterus was thicker than it should be, so she scheduled me for a D&C three months ago, and so far, I have had no additional spotting or bleeding (and the biopsy of the lining was okay, too). I was married almost 17 years before I finally got pregnant and have a son, now 22. (I got pregnant a week or so after having the procedure where they shoot dye through the fallopian tubes to check for a blockage. None showed up, but there might have been a minor one that had prevented pregnancy for so many years.) After our son was born, I had three miscarriages and had to have D&Cs after two of them. Those also were easy (other than the mental anguish over having lost a baby). All that being said, I have a high pain tolerance, and I don't think I was a typical D&C patient. The doctor called the next day to see how I was doing and seemed surprised that I said I was fine. A friend was shocked that I was out walking in the mall two days later.

Hi S.,

I had a D&C done in March 2007. I had been having some mid-cycle spotting for a couple of years, so my ob/gyn did a pelvic ultrasound and it showed possible polyps in my uterus. She scheduled the D&C so that she could scrape my uterus clean of any polyps and then to biopsy the material. The procedure was scheduled for about 2-3 weeks into my cycle so that she could scrape out the thickened lining.

A few days before the procedure, I went to see my ob/gyn so she could talk through the procedure one more time. She explained that I would be put under complete anesthesia, she would use a camera (laparoscope) to see inside, exactly what the D&C would entail, possible mishaps, and the healing time. I had the opportunity to ask any questions and signed off on a couple forms.

I had the procedure done at 7am Friday morning so I think I couldn't eat or drink anything after about 10pm the night before. It was an out-patient procedure. I checked in at 5am, filled out paperwork, a nurse took my vitals and also a lab tech came to draw blood for a pregnancy test (my guess was that's standard just in case). I was asked to describe what procedure I was having done. I'm guessing they have to check to make sure you know and you consent to what you're having done. I changed out of my clothes and put on the hospital gown and they gave me some socks to wear. They had warm blankets that I could cover myself with. This whole time, my husband stayed with me.

About 6:30, they took me up to the surgical unit - my husband came with me and stayed just until they rolled me into the surgery room. The surgical nurse came to see me. She asked me to describe the procedure as well. She told me she'd be with me the whole time and gave me another warm blanket. The anesthesiologist came to see me and described what his role would be. He described what he would do and how the anesthesia would be administered. He asked if I had any allergies or any questions, then he left. My ob/gyn came to see me, reassured me, and answered any questions that I had as well.

The surgical nurse came back to roll me into the surgery room. My husband went back down to the waiting room. In the surgery room, I saw everyone that I had met, along with maybe a couple others that I hadn't met. I was hooked up to an IV for saline and then the anesthesiologist started to drip in a sedative into the line. It felt cold going into my bloodstream. When everyone was about ready, the anesthesiologist put a mask over my mouth and asked me to breathe normally for a little bit - just oxygen at that point, I think. Then he told me that I was going to get a little sleepy and to count back from 10. I don't think I ever got down to 3.

I woke up maybe an hour later in recovery. My husband was right there waiting for me. I was really cold and shivering. They gave me some more warm blankets and I think I fell back asleep for a bit. I woke up a couple more times and finally was able to stay awake. I had to go to the bathroom because of all of the saline. I had the choice to either use a bedpan or to walk to the bathroom. No way was I going to use a bedpan, so the recovery nurse and my husband helped me to the bathroom. I was still really groggy and shaking/shivering all over so it was hard to walk but I was determined, because if I could do it, then I was a step closer to going home.

I think I stayed in the recovery room for maybe 2 hours. The whole time, my husband stayed with me. During that time, a nurse came by and offered me something to drink, and checked the pad in between my legs to catch some of the light bleeding from the procedure. There wasn't a lot and it pretty much stopped by the time I left the hospital. When I was ready to be discharged, I wasn't shivering anymore but I was tired. I changed back into my clothes and was wheelchaired out.

I had some light cramping later that day and slept quite a bit more. I kept a light pad on just in case and I felt fine the next day. I was back to working out (taking it easy though) at the gym and doing everything normal - except for sexual intercourse. I think I went back to my ob/gyn 1 and 2 weeks later just for her to check if everything was healing alright. She also shared with my the lab results (which were inconclusive).

I remember my ob/gyn said I probably would skip a period since the D&C would scrape out my uterine lining, but I still had one about a week and a half after the procedure - right on time. I could not use tampons for that period. I can't remember how long we had to wait until we could have intercourse again but I know I could use tampons for the period after that one.

Wow, I can't believe I remember all that. I hope my story is helpful to you. I remember being scared and nervous but all in all, the hospital staff was wonderful, I didn't have complications, and the D&C did help rule out polylps for me, even if it didn't stop the mid-cycle bleeding that led up to it in the first place. But it made my ob/gyn and me feel better that there was anything "wrong" causing the mid-cycle bleeding and while it's troublesome, that seems to be how my body works. In any case, I'm now pregnant with my first, so it didn't affect my fertility.

Good luck to you! Let me know if you have any more questions that I might be able to answer for you.

Hi S. G.
I also had this procedure because my uterine lining was thick and I was having severe pain with my menses every month. As with any surgical procedure that involves sedation there are the usual risks and normally, I get really sick after anesthesia, but this time I sailed through it with no problems what-so-ever. I was only slightly sore for about one day and that was it. Of course I was very nervous going in, but it was a very short uncomplicated procedure and now I do not experience the pain that used to accompany my menses. The results came back fine and I kind of feel like the Doc just went up in there and cleaned everything out. I hope that your procedure goes as well and try not to be too nervous... you'll make it through and it is so worth it to know what's going on and to have peace of mind. I want to have another child and it was also helpful that my Doc was able to confirm that everything was okay for me to be able to carry another child (this will be my third). God Bless you and your family.

Hi S., I had mine after a miscarriage. So, for me it was very emotional. But I don't remember it being very painful. I know it was uncomfortable and a little bit of pain here and there. My tummy was sore after the procedure for a while. That is all I remember.

I had a D&C after my fourth miscarriage. I didn't really feel a lot of pain. The good news is that I got pregnant a few months later, carried to full term, got pregnant again when my son was 4 months old and now have two wonderful, healthy grown up children. Best thing I ever did!

Hi S.,
I scanned the other answers, and it looks like a mixed bag, so I guess it's all personal. I had 3 D&C's-- one to terminate a pregnancy, two after miscarriages. I didn't find any of them painful-- the whole sea-weed insertion part was uncomfortable for me, but nothing more than that. The rest was just routine. Oh, and the anestia they gave me made me six to my stomach, but that subsided before the super-short procedure was over.

If they knock you out it's nothing. Just cramping and bleeding for about 2 weeks after & fatigue.
If you're awake - it's very uncomfortable - but not painful, they numb you but you can feel pressure and the suction/pulling feeling is creepy. They won't let you use tampons after until your next normal period so stock up on pads.
Good luck!

My step mom had her placenta prematurely yanked out of her by the doctor who delivered her one and only child. Then later discovered it caused her womb to scar and develope thick masses on the walls so she went in and was completely scraped out they said we'll see you in 3 months (expecting she would be pregnant after trying for 19 years) To no avail the scar tissue built up again and she has more scaring from the D&C. The scar tissue is groing out of her cervex now and she bleeds almost non-stop (continual periods). She is now 40 and has given up hope of another baby.

Hi S.,
My good girlfriend just had this procedure done. She was knocked out for the actual procedure,spent a hour in recovery and went back to her job as a chef in three days. She described the cramps afterward as being very similar to menstural cramps, she didn't even take the pain medication they gave her becausae she didn't feel like the cramps were severe enough. Shes VERY happy she had it done.
Good luck!
B.

Hi S.,

I have had the procedure done twice in a 5 month period due to two miscarriages with which my body would not naturally abort.

It was a little unnerving since I have never been in an operating room, but they give you anesthesia, you take a little snooze and then you wake up in recovery. It is a simple 10-15 minute procedure for doctors, as all they do is gently scrape the lining of your uterus and clear it out to avoid infection.

I was given a couple of days off work to recover, although it ended up being very, very minor cramping and I could have gone back to work after a day. They give you a couple days off to recover, because they want to make sure that you don't hemorrhage or bleed more than a light period.

Hope this information is helpful for you!

I had a d&c Jan of 05 because I found out after I was pregnant the fetus stopped growing at 5 weeks. UGH! Other then the emotional side of losing the pregnancy the procedure was actually ok. No local no pain just some disconfort. I took 2 days off from work to recover. mostly because of my loss. I felt pretty good. I went back a month later for a follow up and it all went fine.

35 days after that, I had my period and got pregnant again. Shocking, yes!!!!! Dr couldn't believe it. I wasn't going to try for a while since I had just gottten married June 04. I was so freaked thinking I would lose this one seeing how soon after my procedure. It was meant to be. NO issues with the pregnancy. It was very easy, other then my labor. HA! My son was born at 38 weeks 9lbs.

Reading some of the responses I think it depends on what your having the d&c for as to what pre op you will go through. I love my dr. He is so caring and has great bedside manners. He is with Altos Oaks Medical group at the Mt View Hospital.

Good luck to you.

SAHM, 39 super active fun 2.5yo son and a 3.5month son who is full of smiles. My life is crazy with 2 boys and a husband that works in LA every week for work. I feel like a single mom a lot but enjoy our weekends as a family. Im blessed with a very healthy family and my husband works his butt off so I can stay home. I love my job and wouldn't change it for the world. Its the toughest job I have ever loved.

Since you posted two weeks ago you may have already had the D&C before I am responding. I did not exactly have a D&C I had a D&E last year. They schedule the surgery, you cannot eat anything beforehand, and put you out for the procedure. I only remember that I was very cold prior to the drugs taking effect and then when I came to I was in the recovery room. I was in the recovery room for an hour or two (the whole thing was done as an outpatient procedure). I was cold then as well, and very thirsty. They keep you there, mostly to observe you, and then you go home to heal.

After the D&E I bled for several weeks. You cannot use tampons so stock up on thick pads if you don't have them already.

I hope that helps you prepare a little. I know they are different procedures but I thought I would just share my experience with you.

Hi S.,

I am a Nutritional Consultant in the area and a mother of 4 , grandmother of 1 and 1 on the way... !!!

The thickening of the uterus is a symptom.. the purpose of the D&C is to clear the walls of unusal cells...

I would encourage you to watch.. www.sharethecause.com/live

This is a ten minute documentary.. I can be reached through the comment section and can answer any questions you have as to what is the next step.. It is important to deal with the body's foundational issues and the immune system being balanced.

... L. M.