Got to have a D&C- am scared, what should I expect?

[imaginaryimogen]

Hi,
I had my 12 week scan yesterday but unfortunately there was no heartbeat. Had been bleeding so kind of expected there was something wrong. Kind of feel ok about it so far as have 2 wonderful ds's and am kind of counting my blessings rather than thinking about the loss.
But tbh the fear of a D&C is kind of overshadowing any other feelings. I have a real problem with smears etc and even though I'll be anaesthatized I'm still really scared and dont know what to expect. The sonographer really played it down (though he did call it a 'scrape'- yuk) and I'm sure my gp will be the same when I see him later today.

Any advice/experiences would be very gratefully received! x

[southeastastra]

my mil called it a scrape too (charming isn't it!). i had one for the same reasons as you. it was pretty straightforward and was done in a day clinic. i slept after it was done and it was sort of like a bad period pain. i stupidly went to work the day after too! take time to rest if you can.

good luck and sorry about your loss.

[LilyLoo]

Sorry for you .

[pinkranger]

so sorry for you , i had this in august of last year, it is all over very quickly but as southeastra said rest afterwards as i found the next 48 hours phyiscally and emtionally draining.

Take care

[mumto3girls]

Hi, I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this - I had exactly the same...but had no bleeding at all. I had the news broken to me at our 12 weeks scan that baby had probably died at 8-9 weeks...

I was very nervous about the op, and I too hate smears - you will not feel a thinjg and you are completely unaware of what hapens.

I assure you that you will go to sleep and the next thing you know you are awake and it's over. I had no discomfort or pain..the bleeding after was only like a normal period and I actually felt better because the pgy was officially over..whereas whilst I was waiting I felt in limbo.


Any other questions please ask...

[whoopsfallenoveragain]

HI imaginaryimogen
I had a d & C two weeks ago I was in and out in half a day and didn't have any pain other than what felt like bad period pain when I came round. I had it done on a Thursday and took the friday off work and went back on the Monday.

[KittyLetteMeEatAnEasterEgg]

sorry, no advice just hugs ((((((((( ))))))))))

[lovelylou]

Hi had a d&c 2 weeks ago and i was really frightened but it is honestly not bad at all. They put you to sleep and before you know it it is all over and done with and then it is just like a period. I also hate smears and was dreading it.
Really sorry for your loss and hope everything goes well

[imaginaryimogen]

Thanks everyone!
Went to the hospital earlier and I'm booked in for tomorrow morning. Really nice doctor explained it all to me- its called an ERPC and doesnt involve any scraping! So feel much better about it thanks to that and all the comments here too.

I think like you mum23, I'll feel better once its all over.
Thanks once again xx

[pinkchampagne]

Really sorry for your loss.

I had a D&C done years ago, and much as I was very scared, it was a very simple procedure & I felt no pain at all.

I was allowed out of hospital later the same day, and other than feeling very tired, I was fine.

Like SEA & PR say, take it easy for a few days following the op if you can.

All the best.

[BeckleSpeckledEgg]

sorry for your loss
I have had to have this done twice for the same reason as you. You are asleep so don't feel anything, they don't scrape either, it is all quite gentle. Is like a period afterwards but with slightly worse cramps. The worst thing is the emotional side of it all but I felt much better afterwards knowing it was over.
Hope it goes well for you tomorrow {{hugs}}

[herbaceous]

It's a horrible shock, isn't it II, the 'no heartbeat' at 12 weeks. Ghastly.

But don't worry about the ERPC. I've had two in six months, and they're a cinch. The anaesthetic takes effect really quickly, you get a nice cup of tea and some toast afterwards, and it's a relief to be out the other side. Don't rush back to ordinary life, though. It's a big deal, and you should give yourself time.

[nh101]

Hi ImaginaryImogen, hope everyting went OK at the hospital today. I had missed MC last Wed and D&C on Thursday, I just kept taking the ibuprofen and paracetemol every time I felt a twitch (within the guidelines of course). The pain wasn't bad but I didn't want to brave it out, I just wanted any hint of pain gone.

It took me ages to get over the anaesthetic, I have slept 10-11 hours each night since and sometimes naps in the afternoon too. I have had a week off work (going back tomorrow) and I would recommend it even though I thought last week I'd be fit to go back on Wed.

I am so so sorry for your loss, it is horrible but hopefully you have lots of support around you. It helped me just to talk about how I was feeling. MN helped loads so just pour your feelings out here and check out the other threads about MC. Hopefully they will help too and help you be positive about the future.

[Abwab]

So sorry to hear of your loss. The same thing happened to me at the end of January and i was terrified, crying whilst they sedated me . like everyone else has said you don't know anything about what is happening and it isn't nearly as bad as you think and the relief you feel afterwards is huge and you feel abit more able to move forward (slowly).

Take care of yourself.

[Taichimum]

Hi Imag. I have had two in five months, both ERPC. They were both ok (I think last one two weeks ago)and I am sure by now you must be relieved it is all over. I agree physically you do need to rest after. I would recommend at least a week of work but that is your call.
However, it is really the emotional element that you have to take time with. I had two weeks off this time, but when I went back to work I was very emotional and started crying at work and had to leave by lunchtime. The doctor has now signed me off for another two weeks and I am having some short term counselling. I feel a bit pathetic that I am not getting over it quicker, but having two in a short period has really knocked me for six.
Anyway, enough about me I just wanted to say even if you feel better physically don't feel you've got to rush back into things. Your hormones are all over the place for several weeks and you have had very sad loss. Everybody is different. Whoops went back to work after a few days whereas I am having a month off. Just work out what is best for you.

[imaginaryimogen]

Thanks so much for all these messages. I had the ERPC yesterday and wasn't at all as bad as I thought. Everyone was lovely and was strangely nice to have a bit of space from family and well-wishers!

Has knocked me out a bit more than I thoght though. I bled quite a lot (Docters agreed to discharge me but I've got to go back if the bleeding gets worse- though think is actually getting lighter) and I'm in more pain than I thought. I think it will take me longer to recover than I imagined- I kind of thought I'd be all back to normal by the weekend but I really wont be. I'm relieved you all think a week is about right as I thought I was just being pathetic!

Taichimum it must be pretty rough having this done twice in such a short space of time, physically and emotionally. I feel very lucky as I have 2 wonderful ds's alreadt ut this has hit me harder than i thought.
Take care all x

[BeckleSpeckledEgg]

ImaginaryImogen, I am glad it wasn't as bad as you thought and that the bleeding is slowing now. Take as much time as you need to recover, there is no hard and fast rule. If you decide to TTC again there is a lovely bunch of ladies here who have all been through it - they have really helped me (and still are)...