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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think a D&C without anaesthesia would be very painful?

47 replies

Picklebump · 27/06/2020 22:47

After having my 12 week scan I was informed that my baby has no heartbeat (no bleeding or other signs of anything wrong). I have now been told that procedures have changed because of Covid19 and the D&C ops are being performed without a general anaesthetic. Has anyone experienced this before? I'm a little concerned.

OP posts:

DNAshelicase · 28/06/2020 07:27

Hi OP, I’m really sorry, I had one In March. The mmc was awful but the D&C is honestly fine, they put numbing cream on your cervix and then inject local anaesthetic, it’s noisy and you feel pulling but no pain, I even got offered gas and air too. The emotional pain of this all is awful, I know that, but don’t worry about physical pain, you’ll be out an hour after without the side effects of a general xxxx

DNAshelicase · 28/06/2020 07:30

Sorry I just saw that you said no local, I find that strange as I said mine took place during lockdown too. Can you push for it at the EPU? If they refuse I’d be tempted to wait for things to pass naturally (though I know you might be really keen to try again)

IDontLikeZombies · 28/06/2020 08:47

Jesus, I wonder if the same hospital is withholding anaesthetia for men under going treatment for swollen prostates, etc?
Fucking barbarians.
OP, I'm so very sorry for your loss and so sorry this hospital is adding to your pain. Even if its not painful its unacceptable to leave a patient in fear when its unnecessary. Best of luck OP, I really hope this is over quickly and easily.

NearlyGranny · 28/06/2020 08:54

Gas and air. I have had two oblations (?) recently for endometrial hyperplasia, which I guess is pretty much the same as a D&C. They did a local into the cervix and then I basically knocked myself out on the gas and air. If they don't offer it, ask!

divergirl · 28/06/2020 10:18

I had one when I should have been 8 weeks pregnant. It was uncomfortable and a bit painful. I think though it was a bit rushed and the area hadn't numbed properly from the local anaesthetic. I was also offered gas and air at the same time which helped. I'm sorry you are going through this 💐

iolaus · 28/06/2020 10:26

I wonder whether they are meaning they are doing regional anaesthesia (ie spinal) rather than a general or local?

They need to talk to you and explain it properly though

Original poster

Picklebump · 28/06/2020 10:30

Thanks all, I definitely have some questions to ask them. I don't want to go through a painful process if I don't have to so will ask about the alternative pain relief.
I was having this conversation having just been for the 12 week scan and told that my baby has no heartbeat so I didn't really question things, I wasn't in my usual frame of mind.

Can I ask another question to those who have miscarried. How did you feel about getting pregnant again?
I feel so guilty, the first miscarriage I didn't feel great but I'm a 'keep busy and get on with it' type of person so just worked loads and filled up my time. When I got pregnant after this I felt so incredibly guilty, I felt like I was betraying my previous baby that I wasn't able to carry to term. But now the same thing has happened and the idea of getting pregnant again makes me feel anxious and guilty because I've been unable to have these two babies. Probably irrational but it's how I feel.

OP posts:

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 28/06/2020 11:21

for all of us.

I don't know how I feel about getting pregnant again. I feel all of the things that you are feeling, although when you say them I think (and know I am right to think) that you have not betrayed your babies and it is in no way your fault that this has happened. It is much easier to know that for you than for me, for some reason. I am going to put a bit of distance between me and the miscarriage and then think about what I want to do.

CheshireChav · 28/06/2020 11:40

I'm really sorry for your loss.

Time constraints can be behind medics pushing towards no GA or sedation.

Without taking away from other people's experiences (who say it was fine) I would strongly suggest that you insist on the departments 'next level' of pain relief/sedation. Like a PP mentioned, men wouldn't be expected to undergo a procedure as invasive and potentially painful as this without.

I personally wouldn't undergo this procedure (or similar) without at least IV sedation/pain relief and possibly G&A too. This combination means that you will have to stay to be observed for an hour or so to be monitored (hence it being easier for the unit for you to have it 'cold' as such).

sheepysheep · 28/06/2020 12:12

Sorry for your loss OP.

I had a D&C at around 15 weeks for a missed miscarriage. I had no anaesthetic (local or general) as I was BF and was told I would need to stop if I was to take the anaesthetic option. I had gas and air, which helped a bit, and the nurses and consultant were extremely kind Which helped a lot. It isn’t a pleasant procedure but it is fairly quick.

I’ve had four MC and this was the only one that was managed / had an intervention. I recovered more quickly from it than the others if that’s any reassurance . Good luck xx

Original poster

Picklebump · 28/06/2020 13:03

You guys really are a superb bunch! This is the first time I've posted on here and I'm really glad I did. Thank you so much.

OP posts:

user1471592953 · 28/06/2020 13:17

There is no way I could have gone through either of my D&Cs without any kind of anaesthetic. I had a GA for the first, woke up after and felt absolutely terrible. Decided to have a local for the second as a result (both arranges after MMCs both seen at 6w but rescan two weeks later confirmed). They tried to give me just the misoprostol after some LA, but it was still excruciating - no way I could have tolerated that pain for the actual longer procedure without any anaesthetic at all. (As it happened I had a bad reaction to the LA - BP through the floor - so the doctor wasn’t happy to do the procedure under LA and I had another GA instead - was much better that time.)

Sharkerr · 28/06/2020 13:25

I’m confused as to what it is about covid or the pandemic that would mean you can’t get a GA or sedation? Is it lack of meds for that? Lack of hospital space for recovery? I have to say I’d be insisting, there’s no way I would want to add to the trauma of a MC by going through a D&C fully conscious.

OP I’m so sorry. I just want to send you love. I am thinking of you, my heart breaks to hear what you’re going through.

And Busybee434, I am SO sorry you went through that. That sounds utterly barbaric and traumatising in so many ways. You poor thing. I’m sorry

NearlyGranny · 28/06/2020 13:28

I lost four, and I tried to give myself time to recover before trying again, but I was always desperate to be pregnant again by the due date of the lost baby. 😢

Lockdownfatigue · 28/06/2020 13:29

Did they offer you the option of watching and waiting to see if you miscarry naturally? This was the option I chose.

Bluetonic41 · 28/06/2020 13:30

If you are having a MVA then they should give you local anaesthetic to your cerviz or entonox if needed. They are usually done within the ward or clinic setting so a spinal block will not be an option. Hope it goes well anyway

Lockdownfatigue · 28/06/2020 13:32

Don’t mean to derail the thread but you absolutely do not have to stop breastfeeding to have a general anaesthetic. Just making that clear for anyone reading this thread in future. I’m horrified that a pp was told that and went without anaesthetic as a result.

for OP. Such a traumatic tome without the added complications and uncertainty.

I haven’t had a D&C but have had a manual removal of retained placenta with gas and air as no time for anaesthetic. It was painful but quick.

BenScalesIsAGod · 28/06/2020 13:33

I’ve had MVA recently. They gave me some light sedation (I was awake throughout) and local anaesthetic gel. It was fine and very tolerable. Better than a previous D&C under GA.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 28/06/2020 14:28

Unfortunately I had the same thing happen to me at 12 weeks. I was told that the procedure I had the next day was NOT a D and C but was told that I would have to have a general anaesthetic. I am glad that I did.

CheshireChav · 28/06/2020 20:10

I'm afraid it's quite common to be 'pushed' into these procedures without adequate pain relief or sedation.

Have you been offered the 'wait for it to happen naturally' option? I did this after finding out there was no heartbeat at 14 weeks. It was fine, it was messy and sad but I was happy to be at home - I was given Tramadol but didn't actually need it.

AncientandPregnant · 01/07/2020 18:41

I am so sorry to jump on this thread with a question but I’m trying to find some advice from ladies who have recently had D&Cs. OP I hope you are ok and managed to get proper pain relief.

I had a D&C yesterday with a spinal block after the embryo died at 9 weeks. I was a bit crampy last night and this morning but ok. This afternoon I can’t stand straight and have a constant ache in my lower abdomen like I’ve been punched. Is this normal? They gave me no number to call and check.

PoodleMoth · 01/07/2020 18:54

Hi both, I am so so sorry for your losses. After my mmc I had a bad experience after taking the tablets and haemorraged. I was rushed in and had a d&c with no anaesthetic. To be honest it was not as bad as I thought, painful but not much worse than a smear it just took longer (I think fight over flight had kicked in and adrenaline helped). Afterwards I was sore for a few days in the abdomen but if you are concerned at all please do contact your hospital, they should have given you a number but if not ring and ask to be put through to the correct ward. I was lucky and my next preganacy was successful but I was scared to try again and suffer the same heartache.

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