D&C: What to expect?

NerdyGirl · 01-10-2008, 07:47 PM

My RE wasn't satisfied with my beta drop (from 8870 to 8820) in a week, so she's going to do the D&C. My question is for those of you who've had one. What can I expect? Recovery time? Pain/soreness? Bleeding?

I'm nervous, but glad that my body will be able to finally heal from this missed m/c.

LunaBella · 01-10-2008, 07:59 PM

Hi Michelle ~

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, hun. Been there - just this past November.

As far as the procedure goes, there really was nothing to it since I was knocked-out. When they do the procedure, they numb your cervix. My OB explained to me that often you don't feel much pain right after you wake up because of that but as it wears off you get cramping. When I woke up, I felt some cramping...on a scale of 1 to 10 it was about a 3. As I woke up I got crampier but nothing too horrible. When I got home I took a perkiset and went to bed. The cramps were no worse than menstrual cramps for me.

As far as the bleeding goes, I bled heavy for a few days but it lightened, again much like a period would. After that I spotted off and on for a while but it went away.

So sorry for your loss (((HUGS)))...take care of yourself.

PCOSDC · 01-10-2008, 08:24 PM

I am expecting to have to have a d&c soon too. I just had an ultrasound yesterday and the g-sac is still hanging in there. I'm going to see my RE tomorrow so I think he'll want to do one. I'm glad to hear it won't be too bad.

NerdyGirl · 01-10-2008, 08:31 PM

LunaBella~ Thanks for your response. It's good to know that it wasn't much worse (in terms of cramping) than AF.

PCOSDC~ Sorry to hear you're still going through this, too. My g-sac and fetal pole were still obvious a few days ago and I haven't been cramping or even spotting. I just need to move on now. I've been worried that even if I do start to bleed, it doesn't mean that the m/c will be completed on its own.

PCOSDC · 01-10-2008, 08:40 PM

I know. Being in limbo sucks. I really need some closure to move on and try again.

LunaBella · 01-10-2008, 09:21 PM

Kristy ~ So sorry you are having to go through this too...

.

I had a hard time with the waiting as well. When I had my first u/s, a perfectly shaped/sized gestational sac was found but no fetal pole or yolk sac. After the OB diagnosed blighted ovum the next day, she gave us 3 options; wait it out naturally, take a drug to make it start, or have a D&C. At that time, we decided to go natural. The waiting was absolutely horrible. During that time, I struggled so much with emotions...part of me was hopeful that they'd find the baby on my next appointment but the logical side knew better. Then I was angry and sad sometimes, it really sucked. A week later when my OB found my uterus had grown she got me an immediate u/s which showed a lot of blood vessel activity but still no baby. She said I had to get the D&C because if I waited it out at home it was likely that I would bleed way too much. For me, having the D&C turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it was over with and though I was sad I felt I could move forward.

Yeah, in terms of the physcial I found it to be not nearly as bad as what I had built up in my head. The emotional, well that took a bit longer (especially since it happened during the holidays) but I am very glad to be moving on as well. I will never forget that baby of course, but I have new hope with the new year.

You ladies will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourselves physically and emotionally. (((HUGS)))

Huiching · 01-11-2008, 02:24 AM

Can anyone share what it's like to wait it out instead of getting a d&c?
I had sudden bleeding yesterday and doc confirmed no heartbeat n no increase in size of baby since last week. He gave me a choice to wait it out naturally or d&c. I heard of complications of d&c, but not much of the first option. I really dunno what to decide...

Sonya_ · 01-11-2008, 03:32 AM

I had a D&C on the 4th after waiting for a week for nature to take it's course. That was the most miserable week of my life.

Luna Belle did a great job describing everything. I had pretty bad cramping for 3 days Friday-Sunday. Cramps that would wake me when my pain pills wore off. I took 7 Darvocets during that time. I did not spot until about 3 days after my procedure and it has been minimal, nothing that would even show up on a panty liner. Before having my D7C done, my beta was 113,218, four days later it was done to the 800's. I go in Monday for another BETA then Friday to see the RE for a post op visit.

The procedure I was knocked out for and dont remember a thing.

I am sorry for your loss.

PCOSDC · 01-11-2008, 09:55 AM

I've been waiting for a couple of weeks now so I am really done with waiting.

NerdyGirl · 01-11-2008, 12:20 PM

LunaBella~ It's so good to hear from people who've gone through this situation. Even though I had a sono at 7w and was only measuring 5w6d, since I hadn't had any "symptoms" of m/c, there has been a part of me that doesn't fully accept it. And feeling pg when you know it's not a viable pg is just emotionally draining. ((Hugs)) It must have been a really trying holiday for you.

Kristy~ It is almost worse to be in limbo, isn't it? Not knowing when it'll be over and when you can move on to TTC again. Let us know how your DR appt went and if you'll be doing the D&C. I'm just waiting for the surgical coordinator to call me this morning with the date.

Huiching~ Sorry for your loss. I've known that my pg wasn't viable for about 2 1/2 weeks now and I, too, thought I would originally wait it out to m/c naturally. I don't like the idea of unnecessary surgical procedures and worry about any future issues from dilating my cervix. But, it's been a really mentally challenging few weeks and my betas just aren't going down sufficiently. I've spent the last few weeks waiting, wondering if I would start at work and what I would do if it did. Do what is best for you and your body, but know that you may change your mind once the process has continued for a few weeks. Whatever you do, take care.

Sonya~ Sorry for your loss. It is difficult waiting, wondering where you'll be when it starts... Hopefully you're beta on Monday will bring closure to your m/c and you can start to look forward again. ((hugs))

PCOSDC · 01-11-2008, 12:28 PM

YES! waiting and wondering where you will be when it starts is awful. I feel like I can go out anywhere or do anything just in case. I will let you girls know how it goes today. I'm hoping maybe we can just use meds to start it and avoid a d&c. But at this point I just want it OVER!

PCOSDC · 01-11-2008, 04:04 PM

Well no d&c for me. Not even cytotec. My RE wants me to wait and go natural. I am so mad. I am sick of waiting I want this done and over with. But my RE doesn't seem to care what I want. So now I have to sit and wait and go back at the end of January.

NerdyGirl · 01-11-2008, 04:17 PM

Kristy~ That sucks! I'm sorry you have to keep waiting. I guess they are just waiting to see your beta get to negative?

My D&C is scheduled for 1/15.

PCOSDC · 01-11-2008, 04:19 PM

I don't know what they are waiting for. We are not doing anymore betas. He just said it's better to let the body do it when it's ready. I say BULL$!T

ChantelleC · 01-11-2008, 05:47 PM

That's horrible sitting there and waiting like that when you already know the out come i'm so sorry lots of hugs i'm so sorry