Lots of questions re D&C

[lostinparis]

I have a missed miscarriage and 5 weeks on have now been told that I need to have what remains removed. I would like to avoid having a general anasthetic - has anyone had D&C/EPRC done with just a local? If so, is it very painful/uncomfortanle/unpleasant - any views/experience would be much appreciated.
Also, the size of what is left is 5.5. weeks (so it has been decreasing one week in size per week. Does this mean if I wait another 5.5 weeks it will disappear? i.e. can I avoid D&C altogether or are there risks?

lostiparis - I'm so sorry you have to go through this at all. I can't answer all your questions, but I do know that although the sac will have decreased in size, due to reabsorption back into your blood stream, it will not disappear entirely..... 'products' will be left. If they aren't repelled naturally then they must be removed to avoid serious infection. That is my understanding of it anyway.

Hope it goes well, there are quite a few MN'ers who have been through this so should be able to answer your questions more specifically.

lostinparis I had a D&C under local anethestic and it was an awful experience, the injections themselves were the most painful thing I'd been through (that was my first pregnancy), After the anesthaetic took effect it was still v unpleasant I could feel some rammaging and even though the reovery was definitely faster than with a general one, I don't think I would go through that again, now I know what it was like ( I also had a general a few weeks later, and I didn't like that either but at least it wasn't painful!!)

I would definitely have if I were you. If they didn't think it was necessary they wouldn't do it. The risks associated with an ifection are just too great!

lostinparis, bit hugs ((()))

I was worried about the general as I have had difficult reactions in the past. However, it was such a light dose that I didn't have any of my normal reactions. Waking up was like waking up from a light sleep - and it had only been 15 or so minutes! I was a little cold for about 10 minutes after, but otherwise I had absolutely no pain from start to finish.

What are your reasons for not wanting a general?

Many thanks for your responses. It looks like I'm going to have a general anaesthetic (which scares the hell out of me!). So another question - can this interfere with the ability to conceive after the procedure/have any adverse consequences?

I mean D&C/ERPC, not the anaesthetic!

For the vast majority of cases there is no effect on future conceptions. I had a very, very rare complication that did affect my fertility. However, that was put right and I conceived dd within 5 months of trying.

Please, please please try not to worry. This is an awful thing for you to have to go through but I am sure that youwill be fine.

lostinparis, I am really sorry. I have been through this twice and there are no long term effects to a d&c that I am aware of. On both occassions I had a general anasthetic but it was light and I was out of hospital the same day. My last d&c was last October and I got pg again this February - all fine so far.

hi lostinparis, I also got pregnant again in just a few months, so don't worry about that.

Best of luck!!!!

Hi Lostinparis...don't worry about the whole procedure, it really isn't that bad. I have had a d&c three times while been put under and I was fine each time. I wont lie, I was scared, but I am sure that you will be in the hands of good doc's. It's nice to have it all final as well,,,it gives you closer as well as a chance for your heart to heal. You will be able to get preg again no prob but do wait at least three cycles before you do try again, it's best for your body! Good luck.

So sorry about your news lostinparis. I had D&C 3 weeks ago after a missed miscarriage. As others have said there is risk of infection which can affect fertility if you don't have D&C and also risk of damage to uterus during D&C procedure. So you have to weigh it up. For me, a problem showed up at 7 week scan, confirmed at 9 week scan. I was 10.5 weeks at time of D&C and by this time there was nothing in the sac at all. I didn't want to wait any longer for 'nature' to do its thing as the risk of infection increases. Apperently you can choose to have a local anesthetic but this may depend on hospital policy. Have you had a general anesthetic before? To be honest, I have found the emotional side of things more difficult than the physical - I had no pain or bleeding at any time. I will be on-line most of tomorrow if you want to chat.