DNC On Friday - Terrified

I am really sorry that this happened to you. I have had a dnc and while it was not a pleasent or pain free experience, it really isn't anything to be terrified of. It is over in a couple of minutes. Try not to be terrified, I promise it isn't that bad.

First let me say I am sorry. I had a DNC before, although it was for other reasons than you. Like you, I was terrified. There was a lot of cramping that night, but, the next day I was bleeding and the cramps were very minimal. I hope that this helps you.

I went through something similar with my first pregnancy, too (at 13 weeks). First, let me say that I am so sorry and that I wish you the best through your recovery (physically and emotionally).
As for the D&C, it's pretty straight-forward. They will put you to sleep (mine was done in an OR, they aren't always), and you will wake up in recovery (if you are not fully knocked out, you may remember snippets of the procedure). When you wake you will be groggy and possibly a little confused/incoherent. Verify beforehand that your husband will be allowed to sit with you-mine wasn't there when I woke up, and they wouldn't bring him in-I cried hysterically and begged for him (still dopey from the drugs). I still feel it was cruel for them to leave me alone when I had just had my pregnancy scraped out of me. You will be bleeding, like a heavy period-this will last for several days, gradually tapering off. Once they verify that you are stable and your uterus has clamped, you will be sent home. The rest of the day, sleep. Even if you feel fine, sleep. I was tired and a little crampy, but mainly I needed to just rest and heal, inside and out. I took a week off of work, though by the next day I felt OK.
Something to watch out for-as my OB put it, a D&C is a "blind" procedure, and it is possible for some tissue to be left behind. This happened with me, and I wound up having a mini-miscarriage 5 days later-heavy bleeding and cramping for a few hours. Which brings me to another point-is it necessary to have the D&C? Is this your choice, or theirs? At 8 wks it is an option to wait it out and allow your body to purge naturally-avoiding the complications of surgery and washing your body with drugs. As far along as I was, hemmoraghing becomes an issue, and had I waited I probably would have had an emergency D&C anyway to control bleeding.
A side-note-your doc will undoubtedly tell you to hold off on trying again for at least a month-they say this for only one reason: they want you to have a period so that when you do get pg, they can date it more accurately. What they DON'T say is that after a purging (through MC or birth), your uterus is at it's MOST fertile and you are most likely to concieve. Some women feel they need some time to get over their loss-I didn't want to be forced to wait any longer than I already had and was PG again 6 wks later (he's 4 now).
Good luck to you in this journey-I hope that all goes well and that very soon your are birthing a healthy baby.

PS-I just checked your profile and saw you are in Bothell-if you are having your D&C at Evergreen, it is an excellent facility, and they do their best to make you fel relaxed-aside from the no-spouse thing.

Hi L.,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to you both. I am surprised to hear that the doctor wants you to have a D&C when you were only 8 wks. Usually they just let your body do the work to expel the embroy, but of course I don't know your whole situation. My girlfriend has had two miscarriages in the last 5 months. Her first was at 6 wks the 2nd at 8 wks. They never suggested a DNC unless it was about 10-11 wks or if her body didn't expel it within the next wk or two. I would double check to see if is really necessary to have a D&C in such an early stage of pregnancy. Also, I would do some research on the internet about miscarriage early stages and D&C's. Check out this website (American Pregnancy Association), it gives you info about D&C after a miscarriage, how the D&C is performed and what to expect afterwards. Good info.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/d...

Give yourselves time to heal mentally, there was a reason for the loss. I wish you both the best.

T.

Hi L., I am truley sorry for your loss! Our first try ended with a miscarrage as well (blighted ovum). I did have the DNC, I was out, and slept most of the day after the procedure (mostly lasting effects of anetheisa). I don't remember being very sore (physically),it's been almost 6 years now. We were told to wait 2-3 months before trying again... We waited 3 and got pregnant right away, now we are lucky to say our first child will soon be 5 and our second is 2 1/2. try to relax, and trust your OB/GYN. Good luck!
B. : )

I too am sorry for your loss. I also miscarried with my first--very common as I'm sure you know--but I did not have a DNC. I knew I was going to miscarry fully and just waited for it. It only took a day after I found out but the pain was very unbearable for me. Intense cramping, vomiting, chills, hot flashes. And of course the disappointment of it all. I wish I'd had the DNC. I hear they cause cramping, but believe me, I wish I'd done that instead of lying on my bathroom floor with my husband covering me with towels, then taking them off, then covering me, then taking them off, cleaning me up, etc. etc. Not a pretty sight! I am sure you will be much more comfortable. Good luck to you with your next try!

Hi L.
I went through the same thing, at 8 weeks the dreaded news of no heartbeat, and I know a lot of other women have, too. I had the procedure done in Germany, and I had a full sedation, which seems less common in the US. The physical side of things was actually not that bad, the bleeding continued for a while, but the next day I managed to go for a walk, however emotionally I was a wreck. It was so shocking to me to have lost this very much wanted 'baby' that I actually became depressed. Months went by and I could not conceive. I finally went to my doctor, who pointed out to me that I had not grieved properly for this loss. She was amazing, told me to make some kind of ritual and find a way to let go. Also she said that often times women cannot conceive again until after the due date of the lost foetus, and she was right in my case. I managed to write my little 'baby' a letter which I threw into the ocean, and was able to let go. A few weeks after the baby would have been born I conceived again, and my beautiful daughter will be 3 in March. I wasn't aware at the time of how many pregnancies fail, and that were I more prepared I might not have been so shocked. I hope this information helps, and feel free to get in touch with any questions, or just to talk about it. All the best for the procedure, just give yourself some time afterwards to heal, physically and emotionally.

I'm so sorry. I experienced a m/c in-between my son and daughter. I believe it was 9 weeks that I had the D&C. They gave me a local anesthetic and a sedative. I was out for the procedure-great sedative, and mostly just tired for a couple of days. I don't remember it being that painful. Just some ibuprofin. So give yourself a couple of days to really take it easy.

Hi L.,
I'm sorry that you have to go thru the loss of a pregnancy. I know how hard that is. I have had two DNCs and it is a bit uncomfortable but nothing to worry about. After the DNC, you will most likely have some strong menstrual like cramps. Physically, you will be fine. That is the easy part. Take care of yourself!

Oh L....
I'm so sorry that you are going through this. Unfortunately, I know this process very well. I've gone through it 3 times with two miscarriages and a stillborn before I finally had my two children. If you want to read about my story on becoming a mother, you can click to my space
www.lisapage88.spaces.live.com
look in the blog section and you should be able to find it.

I wasn't sedated when I went through it. I'm glad that you will be. The more relaxed you are, the better it will be. Afterwards, I experienced light cramping and some bleeding. Nothing too bad. The worst was that "empty" feeling of knowing that the little life inside of me that I had already fallen in love with was no longer there.

My thoughts and prayers are with you,
L.

I have not had one, but feel for you! My sister though has had 2 in the last 3 years (she got a son between them though) and while there is discomfort and bleeding and fatigue it didnt sound too horrible. I would take a few days of work though. Prayers, Jen

I am sorry for your loss. I have had a DNC and they are not difficult physically. Don't be terrified. You will feel fine in two days. It is a fairly minor procedure and not much worse than a PAP. If I may make one suggestion, take an MP3 or a walkman and play some nice music during the procedure, it will keep your mind off things.
Relax and Good luck in the future!

you wont feel a thing...you will be a little crampy and probably bleeding a bit...ive had two...so sorry for your loss...keep trying...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know just how you feel though. I have had four miscarrages and six D&C's at this point. It can be a little nerve-racking just because it is a "procedure" but I really never thought it was bad physically at all. (Emotional recovery is the hard part!) I never even needed ibuprofin after, just felt a little crampy for a few days.

On a brighter note, Even though I have had a lot of complications I have two beautiful and healthy children. I'm sure you will have one soon too!!

Good luck on Friday.

Here is my e-mail if you have any more questions: ____@____.com

I'm so sorry! I had to do this too. Physically you should feel just fine the next day. I didn't even need to take over the counter medication the evening after the procedure. It was a bit painful to go to the bathroom immediately after. But that is about it. I don't know where you are having yours done. I had mine done in Lebanon and the people there were SO sweet and kind. That helped a lot too. It was more the emotional trauma that took me a long time to get over. Again I am so so sorry. You will make it through just fine! Email me if you need to talk about it more with someone who has gone through it. Take care.

I had three DNC's you will be fine. It is a realitively easy procedure with little to no side effects.I was very sick with all my pregancies so there was even a little relief after the DNC's. I felt better immedetly. Unfortnatley, misscarriages are very common. I had 3 but have two children. Be patient :)
T. C

Hi L.
I am also very sorry for your loss, I know this is so hard emotionally.
I have had two DNC's with the first one the gave me a pill and I was awake through the entire procedure, it was horrible and painful physically as well as emotionally, I am so glad my husband was there to hold my hand. I was left to rest in a room for a few minuets and then got up and walked to my car and went home, I never had to stay overnight.
The second time I arrived a little late for my appt. and they told me I didn't have time for the pill to take affect so they gave me a shot of something that they said was the same thing but with this it knocked me out cold, which was MUCH better, and they had me rest in a room till I regained enough conciseness to leave with my husband(about 1/2 an hour).
So to get through this thing as easily as possible make sure someone can be there for support and make sure they plan on you being COMPLETELY unconscious for the entire procedure.

I wish you all the best in your future efforts to bring a child into your life, I have 2 wonderful boys 11 and 2
It took almost 4yrs of trying to have my 2nd but he was worth the wait : )

It's been 18 years but I remember mine, same situation except I already had 2 young children (and went on to have 2 more so don't worry too much!) I don't remember there really being much in the way of physical pain..kind of like a bad, crampy period. I was just very emotional. It is understandable to be sad or relieved or weepy or whatever..it's all those hormones kicking in and not being needed. I would gather some good friends around to just be with you for the next few day. Just let yourself feel whatever you feel and be gentle with yourself and your husband. He will grieve in his own way. Good luck and it will be ok. K.

First of all- I'm so sorry about your loss. The same thing happened to me a little less than five years ago.
It's a D & C (Dilation & Curettage). You can google that and find out detailed info. You will be out for the whole process- you basically fall asleep on the way to the operating room and wake up back in your recovery room. I didn't really feel bad- the only thing was the mass amounts of blood. And you can't wear a tampon, so expect to go to the bathroom a lot and change pads a lot. Other than that, you can try again about 3 months later. I started Chlomid again (I had infertility probs to begin with) and got pregnant the next month, so 4 months after the D&C and had a healthy baby girl almost exactly a year after the D&C so it all seemed to work out for the best.
Hope that helps and good luck! If you have anymore questions feel free to ask me!!
K.

soo sorry about your loss. that is very hard. i had to have an emergency d&c after having baby #1 so i don't know what it is like being sedated for one, all i can say is that it would be better than the way i experienced it. good luck, and rest up.

i have had several miscarriages but now have 4 beautiful children. First make sure that you are a little out of it bc it hurts a little.The next day it will be unconfortable but you should be fine with some tylenol.

I'm sorry for your loss. I know how hard that is. Don't be scared! It's not as bad as it sounds...I promise! I had a D&C done 2.5 years ago. I had the same experience you did but my miscarriage was at 10 weeks. I was under full sedation for my D&C, so I have no idea if the procedure itself is painful. I do know that afterwards there was a little bit of pain (sort of like menstrual cramps) and a little bit of bleeding. To me, it just felt like a period (don't use tampons though, it increases your risk of infections!). The doctor said to wait 3 months and/or 2 periods to try and get pregnant again. We waited through 2 cycles and I got pregnant without a problem. Now we have a happy, healthy 16 month old son. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

R.

First and foremost, pray that God will give your family the grace of a healthy child and to bring you peace. Your baby can feel your stress. God will bring you peace if you ask. The baby needs to know that, sometimes, those machines are just machines. I have heard of several situations where people can't get a heartbeat sound. The medical field has to do a lot of things to follow procedures and this is probably one of them. Think of our mothers before when they did not have any of this stuff.
I will be praying for you.

Wow, that's really fast to do a DNC...could you ask for an ultrasound before the procedure, just to make sure?

Hi L. -

First off - don't be scared! As emotionally painful as this all is, the medical procedure itself is fairly routine. I have not had one myself, but my mother had several many years ago and as others here have stated, you probably won't experience more than period-like crampiness for a day or so afterwards...

WITH THAT SAID, I am in agreement with those here who have suggested that it seems too soon to be getting this procedure done. It certainly wouldn't hurt you to wait at least another week to see if the situation resolves itself naturally; if I were you I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion before tomorrow! Or just cancel your appointment. If you were only at eight weeks, it seems highly unneccesary to perform a D&C now, if at all. If you change your mind or your doctor insists, you can always plan something next week...

Whatever you decide, try to relax. Good luck. I wish you the best.

I think they do it differently at all hospitals. Which one are you going to? I had one last year.. Let me know if you have specific questions and I will try to answer. Take care