What to Expect with a DNC?

I had two DNC's in a week because the first one didn't work right. Anyway, three months later, I was able to conceive again safely and I did. Good luck!

I had a D&C after having a miscarriage at 12 weeks. It was physically fairly easy. I laid down and the anathesiologis and my OB talked with me for a couple of minutes until I feel asleep. Then I woke up what seemed like a second later still talking away to the anasthesiologist who was sitting at my bedside. My husband drove me home and I took a couple of pain pills and laid in bed watching movies while my 2 year old was at the babysitter's. I felt fine the next couple of days, just like a regular period. No complications at all from the anesthesia. Emotionally I was sad for quite some time. Had the D&C on May 2nd and then had my first period in July and my second period began on Aug 4th and I conceived that month. I now have a beautiful baby girl. It was nice to have the D&C because they take samples from the fetus, sac, etc. which can tell them why you miscarried. They told me I was no more likely to have a miscarriage than before and that's probably why I was able to get pregnant again so soon.
So sorry for your loss.
C.

Hi T.,

Due to a early on miscarriage that wasn't your "typical" miscarriage, I ended up needing to have one a little over 7 years ago and my recovery was really only 1 day. It was relatively a simple procedure, I went home the same day and just relaxed on the couch afterwards. We were told to wait at least 3 months before trying again. The procedure was done in July and in December of that same year we found out we were pregnant with our son who just turned 6 this last month and started kindergarten :-) Things will be okay....hang in there and best wishes!

My close friend had to have one during her 12th week and was recovered in a day. They told her to wait 3 months and then try again. She did and got pregnant on the first try. She had a lot of trouble getting pregnant the first time so this was a bright light after losing the pregnancy. Sending you positive thoughts...you'll do fine! M.

Hi T.,
I'm really sorry for your loss. I had a DNC last year and found the process physically relatively simple. I was pretty sore for a couple of days but was able to have lots of bed rest. Also, be sure to not lift your little boy too soon; I lifted my nieces too soon after the surgery and ended up having more bleeding and soreness. Like I said, the physical process was rather simple. The mental/emotional to me was much harder. My body began having a period again about 8 weeks later at which time my doctor said we could begin trying to conceive again although I still did not feel over the loss of the baby. We had really wanted this baby and I needed to grieve it's loss. Anyway, physically your doctor will tell you when you can conceive again, you'll go in for a 6-8 week follow up. Just make sure you are mentally ready. I hope everything goes well for you. Take care of yourself.

I was all the way under for mine, so I didn't feel anything. If you have only local anesthesia, you might ask if you can take some sort of painkiller beforehand--just like Advil, etc. They told me the pain afterward would be like "the worst menstrual cramps you can imagine," and that was sort of what it was like. Like if normal menstrual cramps for me are a 5 on a scale of 1-10, these were like a 7 or 8.

I have no idea about conceiving, etc., because I don't have kids. My DNC was to remove fibroids.

Take care,
S

I have had 2 D&Cs. With both, I think I was crampy and achy for 1-2 days. It was out-patient surgery at a surgical center. It was more of an emotional recovery than a physical one, but I did have some good drugs. My 2nd D&C was in March, had a period in April, and pregnant again in May. My doctor recommended waiting 3 months, but said your body will get pregnant when it is ready.

I don't know personally but have a friend who conceived two months later. I know www.mothering.com has lots of articles about loss that may help emotionally.

T.~
I've gone through a couple DNC's and had different responses to each. The first one they did was for endometriosis, I bled for 2 months and had a lot of cramping and pain. The second one was for a miscarriage, I bled heavily for a week, and then spotted for a week. Heavy cramps for about 2 days. Doctor recommended waiting 2-3 periods before trying for another child. Made it through 1 period and I developed a sinus infection in which they put me on Anti-biotics...needless to say we now have a very healthy 3 1/2 year old girl!!!

I had a DNC when my 2nd pregnancy was a blighted ovum. I was 10 weeks along. The procedure was easy and minimal cramping afterwards. I would say that I was fully recovered in 3 days. The procedure was in Oct. and I had a beautiful baby boy the following October.

I had a D&C the first week of January after a miscarriage that my body didn't "take care of" on its own. The physical healing process was quick, but emotionally it took longer. I was very tired and a little loopy from the pain meds for the first day or two, then back to a pretty normal routine after that. The only physical symptom I didn't already see posted was that I passed some fairly large (strawberry sized - sorry, kind of gross) clots along with the cramping, which scared me because I wasn't expecting that. But after talking to my OB, I learned it was totally normal. (I was squeezed in for the procedure over a weekend and didn't have much time to talk with my doctor about what to expect once I got home.) My normal cycles started up 6 weeks later and we got pregnant again mid-April with a normal, healthy pregnancy. One other thing to remember - if your D&C is related to miscarriage - is that you might feel really down around the due date from this pregnancy. I wasn't expecting that either, and thought I was feeling sad for no reason. Once I realized it was our previous due date, I was better able to cope with my feelings and relax about my current pregnancy. Good luck to you!

I was really crampy for 2 days. I also believe it's more of an emotional recovery. I conceived after the 3 month wait my doctor recommended. Your uterus gets a fresh start with the procedure which allowed me to conceive successfully. I wish you well with your recovery.

I had kind of a bad experience with this--I bled for over 2months afterwords which is definitely not the norm. I think it usually lasts about 2-3 weeks?? I got the DNC in late march and I am now 5weeks pregnant and feel great about it.

I went through a D&C. It's a basic surgery procedure...or as they like to say because they basically have to knock you out. It's a pretty quick recovery. You basically go in...come out. I conceived my son within months after my D&C. Hope all goes well for you. *hug*

I only had local anesthesia with my D&C and I experienced a lot of pain. However, once it was over with, the physical healing didn't take very long. I was feeling down about it for awhile but tried to stay positive about conceiving again. My midwife advised me to wait until I had 2 or 3 periods before I tried to get pregnant again. I was a little impatient . . . I tried again after my first period and got pregnant. I had a good pregnancy and a healthy fabulous boy who is now 10 months old. Good luck to you - I'm sure things will work out :)

Hi T.,

I had a D & C done many years ago. Recovery took less than a week, about 3 days I think, and just felt like menstrual cramps. The reason for your D & C will likely determine the likely conception of your next baby. As for what to expect in surgery, if you would like me to go in to detail, I am happy to do so, but if you prefer to know that you will go in to the operating room, lie on your back and go to sleep.

Please let us know how you are doing.

Best wishes,
T. Nelson CD

I had one... I think different doctors handle them differently. I've been told that some take place in the clinic. Mine was in the hosp. The healing process isn't really that long and once you have a cycle, you can normally begin trying for a baby again. I had mine done in Feb. and we conceived in April. Good luck!

Hi T.,

I'm very sorry you have to go through this. As many have said, the physical pain is really the least of the challenges. Just wanted to share an idea that helped me in my emotional recovery. We planted a tree in honor of our baby we lost. With it I buried my mother's journal and the ultrasound picture I had. The tree is right in my front yard so I see it every day. I don't think about the baby every time I see it, but when I see it bloom, and at other times, I smile thinking of the baby it is there to honor.

Hugs to you and your family!
C.