Scared about D and C

Kate29 · 08-29-2009, 11:16 PM

So after my confirmation ultra sound on Monday, I think my doc will schedule me for a D and C. (I'm measuring 7 weeks, but I'm probably at 10, no heartbeat, no growth. Pregnancy symptoms have almost entirely dropped off. The pregnancy just doesn't seem to be passing.) I'm scared, but I don't want to keep waiting to miscarry, because I've heard it can take a long time and frankly, I'm not dealing with this very well and my coping is getting worse for the wait, not better. I'm hoping that having it over with will allow me to move on.

I'm basically new to any major hospital procedure. I'm scared of the surgery, the anesthetic and I'm scared of the "baby blues" that I've heard come after this. I'm not too pleased with how I've been handling this already and I'm frightened that this will not lead to me improving. Has anyone had a D and C? I know this is a horrible question, but I'd like to know if it helpped you to move on and if you had more significant grieving issues after than before. I'm sorry this is so personal, I'm just hoping to prepare myself as best I can. I appreciate any responses.

Mommyofanangel09 · 08-29-2009, 11:26 PM

First I am soo sorry for your loss. (I really hate saying this though, because for me I hated hearing those words after awhile.) I found out about my baby passing on the 5th. I was 12 weeks baby measured 9 and there was no heartbeat. I did a lot of research on the internet about D&Cs. I was very scared to get it done also, but I wanted my angel to be out of my body. It is so hard to deal with being pregnant yet not. So I went ahead with a D&C on the 10th. I went in, got an IV put in and when I went to the OR I was awake for two minutes. When I woke up a couple hours later, I started crying, I hurt and I knew my baby was gone. I bleed for about 7 days, barely anything though, mostly like a period. I still feel pretty depressed but I think the D&C helped me a lot. At the time of my surgery I still felt pregnant, and even after the hormones are still there but I no longer felt pregnant within a couple days. About a week after the surgery I just broke down and cried while my fiance comforted me. I just didn't want to go through seeing my baby and all of the blood. A D&C was a blessing to me. If I ever, god forbid have a miscarriage again I would definately get a D&C again. If you want to know anything else you can send me a message.

I hope everything goes well for you.

TTCTeacher · 08-30-2009, 02:24 AM

This sounds strange..but I prefer having a D and C ( have had 2 in 5 months now). Its quick, painless(physical) and its like physically you can start healing...where a natural m/c can take weeks to even begin and you can bleed for weeks too!! I figure I want my body better, cant figure out when my heart and mind will be. I hate supgeries...Ive now had 3 since january ( lap/hys, and the 2 D and C's).

Go for it...youll be glad you did because you can begin healing.,....physically that is. (((( hugs))))

Also-if this matters...I was almost 9 weeks with twins...when I had the D and C...and I was able to resume sex fairly quickly(week)...we had to be soft and careful...but I felt bad since I wouldnt let him have sex with me since ovulation ( so no sex for 7 weeks) b/c I was so scared...and a few days post D&C was our anniversary...so anyways...not to be TMI** but the D&C helps you move forward sexually...if you want to, of course!

Chicklett · 08-31-2009, 01:26 AM

Well my last MC I had a D and C. I thought it was gonna be really bad but you know with you miscarrying on your own hurts way worse. Or at least it did for me. I have had 4 MC's and only 1 D and C. I was scared at first but when it was all done I felt just so much better knowing I didn't have to carry my unborn for another week or so before being able to go on with my life. I'm so sorry for your loss. Lot's of baby dust to you.

Chicklett · 08-31-2009, 01:31 AM

I actually prefer a D and C also. I have had 4 MC's but only 1 D and C. Im just gonna say it hurts less mentally and physically. When I MC the first three times i was in so much pain especially when passing my unborn.With the D and C it was in out with no pain at all.Im so sorry for your loss. Lots of baby dust to you on your journey. I hope I helped shed some light on your situation.

Jennifer

Kate29 · 09-01-2009, 06:24 AM

Thank you all for the advice and support. I saw the gyno today and the D and C is scheduled for Thursday. My uterous has "shrunk" and the babies were even smaller than before, but still no bleeding or spotting. I don't want to wait anylonger and I'm very glad the decision is made. Your stories really made me feel safe making this choice.

Kate29 · 09-04-2009, 04:20 AM

I had my d and c this morning and I can't tell you how much better I feel. I know my issues with the m/c aren't magically over now, but at least I know my body can go back to normal and I can take this for what it was. I am very glad that I took your advice and went through with it. M/c naturally would have been much harder for me.

snfr02chic · 09-30-2009, 08:20 AM

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm am currently going through a natural m/c...I wasn't given the choice of a d&c. I have been bleeding for 5 days with extreme pain. I finally called the dr. last night and they are squeezing me in today, they aren't comfortable with the amount I'm still bleeding, so after reading all of your stories I am going to ask if it's not too late to have one done just to be done with so I can start healing emotionally.

DiamondInTheRough · 09-30-2009, 12:33 PM

I'm sorry for your loss

In my opinion it is better to try and have a natural miscarriage if you can, because sometimes a d&c can damage the cervix and cause problems like incompetent cervix in later pregnancies. Also, there are cases where fetal tissue is still left behind, and your body ends up trying to dispell of it naturally anyway, and/or you may need another d&c to take care of it, esp if infection occurs...

I know it's not easy to hear all of this, and you just want the physical part over

But I thought you should understand that there are risks associated with a d&c, it isn't always the quickest/easiest solution.

There are medications and suppositories that your doctor can provide to help the onset of a natural miscarriage. Has he discussed those with you at all?

snfr02chic · 09-30-2009, 02:44 PM

Well my dr. won't do a d&c since she said my uterus looks clean on u/s (my 3rd in 3 days) she gave me antibiotics, pain meds and something called methergine to induce contractions to help get rid of any remaining tissue/blood clots...it's over a 3 day course and she said it should be gone by then, not the bleeding, just the clots/tissue...so hopefully it helps.