Failed D&C

[jayc]

Dear All, I wonder if anyone else has had a failed D&C and whether you have any advice? About six weeks ago I had a miscarriage and about ten days later, a D&C. On Monday I went to my doctor as I've had spotting ever since the operation. She recommended that I see a consultant and get a scan. The scan showed that the D&C had failed to remove all the tissue. The consultant (private - I have insurance which covers out-patient treatment) advised that I have another D&C immediately. I then went back to the hospital where I had the D&C. They said I was a borderline case (!!) and should probably just wait and take large doses of antibiotics to insure against infection.
I'm so sad about the miscarriage and so want to begin to move on.
And I'm confused and worried. Confused because I'm still not sure whether I should a D&C and not sure why I'm taking anitbiotics when I don't currently have any infections. And worried because I'm 40 and want to get pregnant and am sure what's the best thing to do. I didn't find that the hospital doctors gave me much help but maybe I was too wrroied to ask useful questions. Has anyone exprienced anything similiar?

[SnoobyKat]

So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Afraid I can't help much but I had a D&C after my miscarriage and I remember being prescribed antibiotics afterwards to guard against any possible post-operative infection.

[Katherine]

jayc I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is so hard isn't it. I have had 3 mc and had a D&C after the first 2. After the first they never mentioned antibiotics and I stopped bleeding very quickly. After the second they gave me antibiotics as a precaution. After the third which was much later and much more physical they said I probably didn't need a D&C. Times had moved on and now the trend seemed to be to wait and see rather than rushing into a D&C. It seems they prefer to avoid surgery now if possible. However I forned a blood clot which effectively acted as a plg and resulted in a foul smell. My GP packed me off to hospital for a D&C and said I would need antibiotics. I was immeiatly give IV antibiotics but after the "plug" was removed there was no more smell so they said I didn't have an infection and didn't need a D&C. I spotted for another week and then stopped.

My point is that trends change and different doctors have different ideas. I think many prefer to avoid a D&C and seeing as you've been through it twice already they would probably advice you to wait and see if the bleeding settles down.I personally beleive doctors over prescribe antibiotics but then I'd rather not risk and infection to complicate things further either.

Is there an Early Pregnancy Unit at the hospital who you can contact for advice. I have found these people to be far more sympathetic and understanding than GPs or consultants. They may be able to give you more reassurance that all is well.

I totally understand your need to move on but give your body a little time to settle down. I had 2 healthy pg after my first 2 mcs and am now 16 weeks pg with my 3rd child, conceived barely 2 weeks after the 3rd mc. I know it is hard to imagine when you've gone through what you have just done but try to take one day at a time and know that we are all rooting for you. Cyber Hugs.

[jayc]

Katherine and SnoobyKat, thanks for your kind thoughts and experiences. i am feeling a little calmer and realising that this course of action might make sense....and hoping very much that it does and that my body will settle down.

[Katherine]

jayc - after my mcs nothing seemed to make sense!

But eventually you get to a point when things get a bit easier and then you can move forward emotionally.

[Sarahbelle97]

I am actually going through the same thing you went through. I had a D&C last week but am still having bleeding and severe cramping and lower abdominal pains. I went back to the Dr today who said there may possibly still be some tissue remaining. He stated we could either do another D&C or wait and let my body release the tissue normally. What option did you end up doing? How did it work out for you?