Just found out I lost my baby...what can I expect from a D&C? =(?

Question

I just went for my 12 week check up...and no heart beat=(. They baby died shortly after my 8 week check up. =(

I'm going to have a D&C on Monday or Tuesday. What can I do to be prepared? How long does it take? Is it painful? Anything I should know about it before going in? =(

Not something I even want to think about right now...but I need to.

Answer 1

i completely understand what you are goin through. i also lost a baby about a yr ago i was about 8 wks also. i had to have a d&c. i was scared to death. but i can reassure you...i had to be at the hospital at 7am. they put in a room in bed. they started an IV in my arm and i waited there and watched tv with my fiance until about 9:30am. then they took me in to the surgery room. i was very upset i had never had any surgery before or been put under. they put me out and the next thing i woke up. i felt a little grogy. they wheeled me back to my rm around 10:30am i think. i felt NO pain at all i figured i would but i didnt have any. im not saying that you will be the exact same but that was me. i ate lunch there and i was home by 12:00noon. i had some bleeding for about a week. when i got home i had an occasional cramp or 2 but other than that, thats how it went for me. dont worry you will be fine. good luck to you. oh and dont give up hope if you still want to have children. that happened to me a little over a yr ago. i am now 12 wks pregnant and everyhting is going good. i was terrified that it would happen again.

Answer 2

I am sorry that you are going thru this. I have also experienced 2 miscarriages and it is emotionally and physically draining, not to mention stressful and a bit scary.
My first miscarriage I had a D&C. I was taken into outpatient surgery. I was given an IV and put to sleep. I think I may have been told not to eat before the procedure.(this was 12 years ago so things may be different) The actual procedure is very similar to having an abortion. It does not last very long and if they put you to sleep you will of course have no recollection of the process. Afterwards I was placed in a recovery room to wake up. I was very nauseated which I beleive is very common. I was given some water and crackers and that was that! I experienced some cramping and bleeding afterwards, but nothing more than a heavy period. I am sure that this is different for everyone. The whole procedure from going in to the hospital and getting out took about 3-4 hours. Of course it is best to bring someone with you for support.
The emotional factor is important to treat as well. Some gentle herbal teas to help with restoring your strength are rasberry leaf, and lemon balm. You can find both at a health food store.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, I know that must be hard =(
Do not eat or drink anything before surgery for a time period to be determined by your doctor.
Before the surgery starts an antiseptic will be used to cleanse the skin around the vagina and cervix.
Be sure to ask your doctor if there are any additional preparations that you should make before your d&c. You should be under some type of anesthesia, which should keep the procedure from being painful. You may notice a cramping or tugging feeling, however if anytime during the procedure you feel pain, you should let the doctor know and something can be done for it. The procedure usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes and you should expect cramping and light bleeding for up to a day or longer. Be sure to ask your doctor about any warning signs you need to look for after the procedure.
Again, sorry for your loss and best wishes

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear of you precious little one.

A D&C entails heavily sedating or completely anesthetizing you. If you are awake, you may experience some nausea. If you are asleep, you will wake when it is finished. You can have cramping and bleeding for a few days afterward and then will have a period about 1-2 months later.

Some women opt not to have a D&C, though, and instead either wait for their bodies to naturally pass the baby or they ask a homeopatic doctor for an herbal tincture to help them pass the baby on their own.

Allowing the baby to pass on its own has a risk of infection for not passing all of it, but a watchful doctor will be able to assure that all is well or not. Having a D&C carries a risk of infection, higher incidence of depression than otherwise, and the risk of reacting badly to the medications that they use. They both have their risks and are just something you need to weigh on your own and make the best choice for YOU.

I have spoken to a few friends who have had D&Cs, and one friend who has had both a D&C and an herbally induced passing who have all said that they mourned not being able to 'birth' their own baby - it was like they were pregnant one moment and not the next - almost surreal and hard to find closure from. I know it is not something you want to think about, but you may want to consider your feelings about this. After all, he/she is still your baby and it is still your birth, however you choose to have it happen. It is Something to think about in any case.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss!

Answer 5

I am sorry that you have had to experience this.

Before they do the d&c they will do another ultrasound to be sure there is no heartbeat. If the original diagnosis is correct, they will knock you out.
You may have cramping for a while after. Also, you will have to have your hormones checked to be sure that they are returning to normal.

By not having it done, you take the possible risk of serious infection. If it is not conpletely released form your body. The d&c ensures that you have no remaining material to cause infection.

Best regards.

Answer 6

I had a d&c...They put you under a general anesthetic. It seemed to me to be hours...but the whole procedure takes less than 20 min. When I wok up I felt crampy...like a bad period. I was tired...went home and slept what felt like forever. The bleeding was on and off for a day or so...then came like a period that lasted about 2 weeks. Advil or Tylenol works well withthe cramping.

Answer 7

I'm so sorry to hear that. I've had two m/c's and one d&c. They can put you to sleep or give you something to numb your lower region. I was put out so I dont really remember much but I know they stick a "vacuum" into your uturus and suck everything out so its clean and gets no infection. & I dont care what they say, you can get pregnant again right away, even if its not recommended... I found out I was pregnant June 06, M/c'd at the very end of june and had a period in july and was pregnant again in august 06 and now have a beautiful boy. I didn't try to get pregnant again but it happend and I'm so glad it did, it helped me heal emotionally!! Good luck!

Answer 8

first I am so sorry, there is nothing to say or do to make you feel better right now, only time will do that. You may be sedated for a d&c, or just numbed, it varys from dr to dr. You will have cramping and bleeding for a few days to a week afterwards, and you will get your period back in 4-6 weeks.

I will pray for you, God Bless.

Answer 9

When I had a D&C it was a day surgery, they knock you out, or at least they did me. It is painful afterwards for a few days. Ask them for some pain pills before you leave and get a RX for at home. Take it easy and rest as much as possible. I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 10

I'm so sorry. You don't have to have a D&C if you don't want to. You can let the fetus pass naturally if you choose. My sister's nurses were unable to find a suitable vein for the IV, so she told them to leave her alone and she left the hospital. She passed a larg clot the next day and didn't have to deal with the hospital at all.

Edit: I believe my sister went to the doctor's office for an ultrasound to confirm that no tissue remained. She felt very good about allowing her body to handle the miscarriage the way it was meant to. Whatever you choose is OK, just make up your own mind and don't let anyone scare you into having an invasive procedure if you don't want it.