D&C tomorrow(12/21), what to expect??

isadora · 12-21-2005, 02:06 AM

Hi,

I'm having a D&C tomorrow afternoon and was wondering what to expect. Does the procedure itself hurt much or is it mainly just cramping? Are you sedated to the point that you may sleep through it or just relaxed? DH is planning on being there with me, will he need to drive me home afterwards or will i be okay to drive my own car home as we will be getting there separately.

Any other info any of you can give will be helpful!

Thanks!

enits · 12-21-2005, 02:16 AM

I was under general anaesthesia during my D & C so I didn't feel a thing. I think the procedure itself only took about 20 minutes. Afterwards, I was in the recovery room for about 35 min. Then I was released to go home. There was no way I could have driven myself home because I was soooo out of it. I napped in the car and basically crawled into bed as soon as we got home. The following day I was still sort of out of it and was under doctor's orders not to drive at all. I didn't really feel any cramping or any type of pain as I was on pain medication. I had to wear a pad for bleeding the next couple of days.

Here's more information for you to read: http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4470,00.html

I hope that helps.

SheriKCMO · 12-21-2005, 07:48 AM

Hugs and best wishes!!

Hayles · 12-21-2005, 08:15 AM

I don't know i have had two d& c's & botht imes been under general anestheric & legally not permitted to drive for 24 hours well thast the law here in australia I would assume it would be pretty similiar.
Good luck I hope it all goes smoothly for you

ladibug · 12-21-2005, 08:32 AM

hi - best wishes to you... the procedure itself you will be asleep. when you wake up, you will have cramping and bleeding like a period. A D&C is more emotional than physical I think. You need to remain strong in your heart and mind but give yourself ample time to grieve. I just had one in June and being my third...I just wanted it over with. Remember you are NEVER alone... send me a msg if you ever need to chat!

*Clarissa* · 12-21-2005, 08:41 AM

I was put to sleep, so I didn't feel anything. Afterwards was just like a mildly painful period. It is when you wake up and the emotional part of it hits you like a ton of bricks. That hurts worse that physical pain. I am sorry you are going through this. Hugs.

GoingCrazyInTX · 12-21-2005, 08:53 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss. (((HUGS))) It's like everyone else has said...they put you to sleep and afterwards you can't drive for about 24 hours. You might have some bleeding and cramping (I didn't have much of either). Like a couple of people have said the emotional part is much worse than the physical part. (((HUGS)))

Barbora · 12-21-2005, 10:47 AM

1. a little bit of general anesthesia, just enough to make you sleep for about 10-15 minutes
2. DH may be in the hospital with you but not in the operating room
3. you might feel a bit dizzy later = when trying to drink or eat for a couple of hours
4. make sure you don't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the surgery

Get plenty of rest afterwards, best is to go to bed when you get home to prevent inflamation of the uterus - that might lead to cramping. Otherwise you will not bleed much (less then period) and I am sure you will feel much better then the last couple of weeks. It might still happen that you will pass some cloths, but this will only be placenta remains and the lining.

It will give you a "fresh start", you will probably ovulate within the next 4 weeks and as soon as you stop bleeding/spotting you can try again.
It is possible that if you start trying soon, you will conceive without meds and in the next cycle, happens often.

isadora · 12-21-2005, 02:45 PM

Thanks ladies! I wasn't sure completely what to expect. The procedure is not being done in an operating room or at a hospital. It's being done in my Dr's office, so no anesteologist either. I'm sure they will give me a pill though to make me drowsy or relaxed though and some pain meds.

I'm not looking forward to this today, but I will be glad when it's over. These past two weeks waiting to see if I would m/c naturally have been mentally draining. I'm through the emotional part and now on to the I want this over part!

Thanks again!

nikkisix · 12-21-2005, 06:06 PM

Please know I am thinking about you today and keeping you in my prayers.

Nicole

Phoenix Rising ^^^ · 12-21-2005, 06:31 PM

Everything that was already said describes my experience. I had period like bleeding for about a week afterward, and mild cramping.

Please post when you can and tell us how you are doing.

*Clarissa* · 12-21-2005, 08:40 PM

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you today. Please check in and let us know how you are doing whenever you can.

isadora · 12-22-2005, 06:11 PM

Hi ladies!

Just wanted to check in and update you all on how things went with my D&C. I had the procedure done in my Dr's office. I was hooked up to an IV of saline and given some medicine through my IV to help me relax(but not make me sleepy) and some pain meds. I was awake through the whole thing and it wasn't too bad. The procedure itself took about 15 minutes and had some bad cramping but it was over pretty quickly. After the procedure I was having some cramping so they gave me some more pain medication through my IV and I went home 20 minutes later. I was starving after the procedure as the procedure was done around 4P and I had not been allowed to eat since breakfast, so DH took me to get something to eat. We went home after that and I rested on the couch the rest of the evening and my pain went away. I have not had any pain medications since leaving the dr's office and today I feel absolutely no pain, cramping or anything today and have had no bleeding. I only had light bleeding after the procedure last night. I'm still resting and taking it easy today, even though I feel like going out shopping or out somewhere to have some fun!

I thank all of you sooo much for all the support you have given me! It really means a lot! This is such a wonderful supportive board to come to! Thanks to all of you!!!

Tracy

SheriKCMO · 12-22-2005, 09:12 PM

tracy, i'm very glad that this went so smoothly and your physical healing is basically done. for many of us, getting past this point is necessary so we can focus on the emotional side. i hope you and dh continue on this journey to find hope and peace.

isadora · 12-22-2005, 10:05 PM

Thanks Sheri! i'm glad that the D&C is over now and i'm ready to move on to TTC again. Since I knew that this baby was not meant to be almost 3 weeks ago, I had time to grieve prior to the D&C. By the time I had the D&C, I had already been through the emotional roller coaster and was more ready to get the procedure over with so my HCG levels would start dropping and I could start again the TTC process over again in a month or 2.