D&C Or Miscarriage?

First of all, L., I'm so sorry for your loss. (((hugs)))

I had a "natural" m/c at 10.5 weeks. It was also a blighted ovum. We found out at 9 weeks, and I decided to take cytotec to "assist" in the M/C, rather than the D&C. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the D&C. Emotionally I was a wreck, and the bleeding went on, and on, and on (sorry for the TMI) for about 3 weeks. I also had really bad cramping that completely side-lined me from my very demanding job, and I ended up home on pain killers. I just found the entire experience emotionally and physicially painful, and looking back I wish I had just had the D&C.

This was my experience, so take it for what it is. Hindsight is always 20/20, and I wish I had chosen differently FOR MYSELF at that time. However, as you can see from several responses, not all women have the same experience I have.

Peace to you at this terrible time.

I'm sorry you are having to go through this difficult experience. I am the poster of two recent posts, one asking what to expect with a D&C and the one before that about only showing an empty gestational sac at 6 1/2 weeks. I had 4 ultrasounds before I could accept that there was no baby. The last ultrasound actually showed the sac collapsing, so at that point I decided to go ahead with the D&C to get it over with and get it behind me. The doctor also thought it was necessary since they never saw a fetal pole and they were worried it might be an ectopic pregnancy.

In your situation, since you've only had one ultrasound, I would say wait a week and get another ultrasound done. If there still is an empty sac and you haven't miscarried, I would say have the D&C. After having mine on Wednesday I didn't even feel like I had surgery. I had no cramping or pain and only minor bleeding. I just didn't want to play the waiting game when there was a chance that I would have to have a D&C anyway. In the end, though, the decision is a personal one and it depends on your beliefs. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

I'm so sorry for your situation. I went through almost exactly the same thing, but I was spotting at about 5 weeks. I ended up having a miscarriage on my own and THEN a D&C because I was hemorrhaging uncontrollably. Given my experience, I would suggest a scheduled D&C, rather than have to go in under emergency circumstances, but my experience is not necessarily indicative of what will happen to you.

You asked "what it is like" and I'll say, it reminded me of labor only in that I felt the water break and then everything gushed. I didn't experience any pain or discomfort --physical anyway!!!-- before the miscarriage, during the miscarriage, or before or after the D&C. As to be expected, I was sad about the blighted ovum not being a baby and I grieved appropriately and came to terms with it eventually.

Good luck to you!

H.

L., so sorry to hear of this loss! No matter what the circumstances, I think it is always hard to think pregnant, baby and then none. . . I had three healthy boys when I did that pregnancy test--positive; unsure of dates due to nursing and amenorrhea, so an ultrasound was done and baby said to be 6 weeks of age, but no heartbeat. Doctor said that we should wait two weeks and should definitely see heartbeat at 8 weeks--no heartbeat, no growth. . . I didn't want the D&C--thought maybe he's wrong; also, I prefer "all natural"!! So, I did miscarry a week or so later. It was not fun, but not bad; definitely labor pains (early labor) for about 30 minutes and then the placenta passed. . .unfortunately, my husband was at work and I was in a new area, so I was alone (with my three young boys, 1, 3, 5yo watching a video) I definitely preferred that and just didn't like the thought of the d&c. I have delivered all 5 of my children without anesthesia, my first with pitocin!! so my tolerance for pain is high. Do what your gut tells you! Follow up with your doctor if you do decide to let nature take its course! God Bless! B., SAHM with home business, 5 kids 4yo-14yo. . .

Hi L.,

I am sorry to hear this is happening to you. I had a miscarriage early this year(I was about 5 weeks along & it was my first pregnancy). The doctor also gave me the choice of natural miscarriage versus the D&C. I chose the D&C because it would just "get it over". The D&C process was not painful at all (just make sure you are not awake for it) - it was the emotional pain that really lingered. I feel that my emotions would have been worse if I let nature take it course though.

The D&C is a very common, quick procedure. My doctor said it would not affect my chances of getting pregnant again. In fact, a few months later, I was pregnant again & am now 12 weeks along.

So sorry about your loss. I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks. I did it at home. I will never ever do it that way again. It was the hardest (emotionally) thing I have ever done. The waiting for it to happen was so hard. And once it happened, I could not even go back into that bathroom for a few days. I also had a young son and it was really hard to hide that something was happening although, he did not understand. Just do what your heart is telling you.

Have the D&C. Miscarriage is too traumatizing!!!

Hi
After 5 miscarriages & 2 D&C's. I would not hesitate to do the D&C. After 2 weeks of waiting for the tissue to come out on it's own, it did more damage to my mind then the D&C. After my procedures I could concentrate on healing rather than waiting and wondering where, how, what would I feel like.
Find your faith & do what your heart tells you to. You know yourself better than anybody and it will be hard no matter what path you choose.

Hi,
Have a D&C!!!!! I didn't and it wasn't the wright decision.... I'll explain why. It was crazy cramping, lots of blood, hours of suffering ( basically giving birth to it ) and after all that, I got infected b/c a chunk of blood got stuck on to one of my ovaries and it didn't close up right, so 2 weeks of feeling sick, and getting really stinky down there, they had to pick it off and put me on antibiotics....
I was a bit further along then you, 10-11 weeks when the whole thing happened.
Good luck,
A.

I would wait for the miscarriage. I had a D&C but that was because I was over 4months along and the baby stopped growing at 3-4 months. If the doctor thinks you will miscarriage wait for that.

Hi L.. First,I am sorry that this has happened. I just had a D&C yesterday because I found out at 15 weeks that my baby no longer had a heartbeat. I hadn't had any cramping or any sign of miscarriage. Because you are 8 1/2 weeks, I think it would be very safe to just let the miscarriage happen. I think you should follow the doctor's advice. Everything should be fine. You will definately have an examination afterwards anyway, and if for any reason the D&C is still necessary, the doctor would inform you of that; but I dont think you have anything to worry about. Best of luck to you.

T. B
Mother of 6 year old twin boys and 4 year old boy

Dear L.,

Nine years ago, I went in for my 8-week sonogram and was told that there was no heartbeat and that the ovum only looked 4 weeks old. I had started to spot prior to the appointment so I had some warning. My husband and I spent the next two days in and out of the ER going through a miscarriage. My first son was born via C-section, so I had not experienced labor. During the miscarriage I had what I now know to be mild labor pains. (I experienced labor with my second son.) Since I was never able to capture any tissue from the ovum my OB wanted me to go ahead and have a D&C. In my experience there is NOTHING pleasent about a miscarriage, mentally or physically. My husband was amazing. He did everything he could to try to make me comfortable, but it was what it was. I had severe cramping while my uterous tried to cleanse itself.
I'm very sorry you are going through this. I can understand your indecision. Is it better to let nature take its course or just get it over with? Have you and your OB discussed all the risks associated with either decision? In my case there was no decision, I had to have the D&C. I don't know if this helps, but educate yourself and do what you know is right for your body. You'll be in my prayers.

Janet

Hi L.,
Sorry to hear about your situation. The decision of which way to go is pure preference. I had a D&C in 2005. The pregnancy had complications from the very start, and when the dr. finally decided that the sonogram showed that it was over, he offered the D&C. I asked if I should just wait, he could be wrong. His response was this. Given my situation, (I had had weekly sonograms from 8-11 weeks), and looking at the films, they couldn't decide when the pregnancy stopped, but that they thought it had been over already for about a week. Given that information, waiting for my body to decide to give up could take another week or more. Having the D&C would end it now, and let me have a clean timeframe for when I was ready to try again. Also, in some cases of miscarriage, a D&C is needed anyway.
So the choice is truely yours.
Hugs.
M.

I have heard of many misdiagnosis of blighted ovum. I know moms that have benefited from a second opinion. There are plenty of medical professionals that would suggest a miscarriage and then see if you need a D&C. If the diagnosis is wrong it can't hurt to wait.

I had a miscarriage at 7 weeks, while at work! It wasn't very painful and all ended well. Then I had another at 7 weeks and it was so bad and painful, that it got stuck and I had to have a d&C at midnight! The procedure was so quick and easy, I wish I had just had it at the beginning. . .

So sorry you are going through this. Thoughts are with you.

Hi L.,

I'm really sorry you are having to deal with this tough experience.
In answer to your question, I would definitely go for the D&C. I started showing early signs of a miscarriage at week 10, and when I had an ultrasound done, the doctor explained to me that the baby hadn't grown since week six and had certainly died at that point. This means that it had taken 4 weeks to even begin signs of a miscarriage, and 3 days later the miscarriage still hadn't happened so I had the D&C. It is very safe; I experienced no bad effects and from an emotional point of view, I think it is best just to have it over with quickly so you can pick yourself up and carry on.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
LisaP

I had one at 11 weeks and one at 9. I had a D&C both times although I had extremely heavy bleeding during my second and could have very well miscarried on my own. A D&C is quick with minimal recovery and bleeding. Waiting to miscarry on your own could take weeks and could have heavy bleeding. In the end it's all what you think your brain and your body can handle the best. Good luck and God bless you.

Hi L.

Considering the pain you go through when having a miscarriage, I would definitely have a D&C. Not only that, everything is cleaned out then. Not only that, with today's technology, most D&Cs are done vaginally so there are no scars. I wish you the best and am truly sorry about your loss. Take care of yourself.

I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks, although the fetus had died at 6-7 weeks according to the sonogram. I had severe cramping during the miscarriage and there was a lot of blood, luckily I was close to home when it started to happen. I have been told that it is like contractions during child birth. I have had two c-sections since so I don't have that to compare it too. I thought it was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I have heard that a D & C can be very painful too. I think the hardest part for me was actually the emotional part of realizing I had just lost my baby. I hope this helps you and just remember that it doesn't mean you will never had children.

M.
Navy wife and stay-at-home mom to two great kids, a 6yr old boy and almost 4 yr old girl.