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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Miscarriage - D & C - Sedation or general

27 replies

TimeToResign · 03/03/2022 18:33

I’m having a D&C for blighted ovum that’s not clearing on its own. I’m technically about 15 weeks but sac is only 2cm.
I’m fairly sure they will offer general or sedation as this was mentioned in a previous visit. I would prefer not to have a general I think as I haven’t had one before so I’m planning on sedation but wondering if anyone has any advice or opinions on what they chose.

I know it’s a particularly unpleasant procedure to be awake for but I’ve never had sedation either so it sure actually how awake I’d be anyway.

Thanks all in advance, realise I’m asking you to revisit something painful.

YABU - general is the way to go
YANBU - sedation will be fine

OP posts:
Catscrat · 03/03/2022 18:39

I’m sorry for your loss Flowers I can’t comment on sedation but have had two D&C under general; I was very anxious but both times were fine and I recovered quickly.

FlamingoDust · 03/03/2022 18:51

I am sorry for your loss. I am not sure how helpful I can be either but I ended up with an emergency d&c with no pain relief and it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Recovery was ok and if I had needed one in future I would have picked sedation. Flowers

TheSoapyFrog · 03/03/2022 18:57

Not entirely the same situation, but I had a reluctant termination for medical reasons 2 years ago and had complications afterwards. I had D&C when I arrived at the hospital after having painkillers, but not sedation.
All things being considered, I didn't find it that bad. It felt weird but not painful. It was hard going mentally though and I cried all the way through it.
Unfortunately i was losing too much blood and they wanted to give me a general anaesthetic to continue as well as blood transfusions. I asked them not to but they said they felt it was necessary. Next thing I knew it was all over.
If it's straightforward, I'd probably opt for sedation just so i could out of there quickly.

TheSoapyFrog · 03/03/2022 18:58

I'm sorry for your loss.Flowers

PraiseBee · 03/03/2022 19:04

I had sedation for a tricky wisdom tooth extraction. I don't remember anything at all. They asked me how much alcohol I consume. I think if you're a regular drinker then sedation is less effective. Sorry for your loss Flowers

Ljmumun · 03/03/2022 19:06

So sorry for your loss. I have just had heavy sedation for orthopedic surgery and can't remember a thing if it helps.

CurbsideProphet · 03/03/2022 19:10

I had a general as I had the choice of awake or general. Mentally I could not comprehend the idea of being awake and aware of what was happening. I was terrified of GA but I was well looked after.
So sorry this is a decision you're having to make 💐

HarrietM87 · 03/03/2022 19:10

I’ve had 2 MVAs, which is effectively a d&c but under local anaesthetic. It wasn’t pleasant but it was fine and meant I could walk out of there and go straight home. I wanted to minimise the time I was in hospital. I had a healthy baby afterwards both times (4 mcs, babies after mc 3 and 4) so no ill effects of the procedure itself.

ItWasAgathaAllAlong · 03/03/2022 19:20

I had a D&C after a 'missed abortion' at 13 weeks. I had it under a general, but then I've had loads of them for orthopedic issues (I think I'm up to about 12 in total for generals!) so they hold no fear for me. In fact, the going to sleep bit is really rather nice!

But it was the only general I was a bit sick afterwards. Usually I bounce back really quickly, wake up quickly etc., but gynae issues can cause sickness when you wake up (I forget the exact reason - the nurse did explain it to me at the time) so be prepared for that if you do have a general. The other thing I remember is waking up crying because I immediately remembered why I was in hospital. But the staff were great.

I would go for a general myself. any day of the week no matter what it was for, OP Honestly, they're really safe - they will only give you as much as you need to keep you under for the time you need (it's not the the bad old days when general anasthetic was a bit of a blunt instrument) so please don't be scared of having one.

And you really don't want to be 'aware' (which, even with twilight sedation, you might be) of what they're doing with a D&C. You've had enough emotional upset to deal with already. You don't need any more by trying to be brave and only having sedation.

Be kind to yourself, OP. It's a rubbish situation to be in. Flowers

Onionbhajisandwich · 03/03/2022 19:21

I’ve had both general and sedation for various (fertility related) procedures and I’d definitely recommend general. They’ll give you an injection in your hand, then you’ll wake up - feels like 10 seconds has passed. During sedation you are still awake, can still feel pain and will probably still remember bits if not all of it. Sorry for your loss OP Flowers

MrsEG · 03/03/2022 19:22

So sorry this is happening to you. I had a general/was asleep for my D&C. It felt much easier mentally; one moment I’m chatting to the lovely anaesthetist as I drifted off the next I was up in recovery and it was all over. Xx

LittleGwyneth · 03/03/2022 19:24

I am so sorry for your loss.

I agonised over this, and in the end I went for the general. It was easy, painless and brought the whole thing to a much needed conclusion. In retrospect I don't know why I considered any other option. I had suffered enough, I didn't need any additional stress - even if it was minor.

I am biased but I would strongly suggest going for the general and just getting the whole experience over and done with ASAP.

Personally (though this might be a bit OTT) I find it a bit mad that they offer it without general. My doctor said 'most women can tolerate it' which didn't seem like much of a recommendation.

Another friend of mine asked the doctor what he would recommend if it were his daughter and he said general.

I hope it's as smooth as possible for you and that if you want to become pregnant again it happens as soon as you're ready and that it brings you what you hope for Flowers

Maray1967 · 03/03/2022 19:24

I had a general. You don’t get much anaesthetic and recovered quickly. I had embryo transfer via general as well years earlier - no sedation for me, I like to be out of it.
Sending 💐

LittleGwyneth · 03/03/2022 19:25

Also just to say that I was working the afternoon of my general, went out for lunch (with wine) the next day. The recovery time was almost nothing, I think I was in hospital for about 9 hours total.

CodLoverOil · 03/03/2022 19:28

I had a D+C with just a local. Medical management failed and I was getting distressed so they just got it over with as quickly as possible. It was really unpleasant to be aware of the procedure, and I found the experience really hard to recover from. Other miscarriages I've had general, and while an upsetting thing to experience I found them nothing like as impactful as that medical management and 'awake' d+c. I'd really recommend general.

Goldfishmountainclimber · 03/03/2022 19:33

I have had two D&C both with a general. I wasn’t given a choice. It was a relief to wake up and have it all over with. The general anaesthetic was actually a pleasant experience. It was calm and dream like.

notthatonethisone · 03/03/2022 19:35

I'm so sorry Thanks

I had a general. It was the right thing for me. I knew I would be emotional.

I was fine right up until I was being prepped then I got upset.

The nurses were brilliant. They really looked after me. I didn't want to be awake for it.

I was back home later that day and recovery was quick and easy.

Take care Thanks

HousePlantNeglect · 03/03/2022 19:38

So sorry you’re going through this.

I had medical management under GA and I’m glad I chose it.

Best of luck x

Crimesean · 03/03/2022 19:46

I had mine under GA, because I had midazolam for an IVF egg collection and nearly died (heart/blood pressure issues).

I was broken hearted and sobbed through all the prep ahead of my D&C, it was such a relief to be put under and escape the feelings for a bit.

Everyone is different, but personally I'd choose a GA again if I had to.

I'm so sorry for your loss, it is shit and unfair and you deserve better. Flowers

cadburyegg · 03/03/2022 19:59

I had a d&c under GA. They didn't offer the sedation option but I think I would have chosen GA if I had the choice, it doesn't sound very pleasant to be aware of the procedure tbh. GAs are not unpleasant in themselves, anaesthetist chats to you, needle goes in, then you wake up in recovery.

This was in April 2017 and I conceived DS2 in June 2017 so no long term ill effects.

Sorry for your loss Thanks

Original poster
TimeToResign · 03/03/2022 20:02

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your stories. We knew early on at about 7 weeks that things wouldn’t progress so we’re trying to keep things in perspective in terms of emotions. But even so feel weepy just thinking about the procedure. I guess because you feel so vulnerable, so wondering if it would just be better to go general and not experience it.
Thanks again Flowers

OP posts:
belleoftheball1 · 03/03/2022 20:03

I had a d&c under general in July 2017 and it was fine. It definitely brought the closure I needed and was not painful at all.

I then conceived in the September

JennyTwoPenny · 03/03/2022 20:04

I'm very sorry. I went through the same and didn't have general, don't even think they sedated me just numbed me "down there". It was uncomfortable but the emotional trauma was by far the worst bit. Do whatever you feel will be less traumatic for you.

Caneloalvarez · 03/03/2022 20:07

I went through this in December. I had never had general before and was terrified as the hospital only offered it with general, I was adamant I wanted sedation not general. I even looked into going to a different hospital for an MVA under local, to avoid the general.

I spoke to a friend who had been through it and she persuaded me to go for general.. she said it would be much better to be unaware of what was going on. And it turned out to be the best decision as there were some minor complications and it took slightly longer than expected, which I think would have been unpleasant to experience under local. The general is only scary in the lead up to it.. when it actually happens you just go to sleep! They really look after you, I was tearful going in and the staff were very understanding. Nothing to worry about (and I'm a worrier!) Wish you all the best and hope it's all over and behind you very soon.

User0610134049 · 03/03/2022 20:15

I had general (very short and light one)
Needed to rest after but I wanted to take time out from everything for a day or two anyway
Sorry for your loss 💐

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