What's a D & C?

[Aniles]

My doctor said I might have to have one, it sounds a bit scary

Sorry to be asking this again but after finishing the course of tablets I still haven't stopped bleeding and I'm in a bit of a panic mode about the thought of having a D&C(I know I'm being a wimp, so, if I tested negative 6 weeks after bleeding does that mean I definitely was not pregnant and that the bleeding is related to something else? Or is it possible that I could have had a miscarriage and still have tested negative?

I think everyone is different when you have a mc, when i had mine, i got up in the morning went to the toilet and (sorry if TMI) wiped myself and there was some spotting on the tissue, i sent dp to the chemist to get a pregnancy test straight away and when he got back about 30 mins later i did the test and it was neg, but i must add that a lump fell out of me is well so i know i had miscarried but needed to make sure.

I know some people still test pos well after mc so it is different in all cases.

I also must add i new i was pregnant because is had actually done 3 tests prior to that.

Well, I saw my doctor this morning and he has refered me to have a d&c. Does any one know how long I will have to wait for an appointment? I'm absolutely sh**ing myself now!

aniles it is a really simple procedure...i think time for appointment depends on urgency but would have thought would be within a month or so..

It will probably be within a week Aniles. I have to say that mine was not painful at all physically. I was under general but a very light dose. So apart from being a bit shivery for about 5 minutes after, I really didn't feel any after effects at all. Good luck.

Message withdrawn

what sort of tablets were you prescribed ? I recently had bleeding with clots for 3-4 weeks and the GP prescribed antibiotics as he thought I had an infection of the lining of the womb following a D&C 10 weeks ago to stop very heavy bleeding from a M/C. He also prescribed some other tablets (an acid of some sort) to stop the bleeding. Together they seem to have done the trick. Have they checked whether you have an infection ? BTW the D&C was fine if you do have to have one - pls don't worry.

I can't remember what the tablets were called, something long and difficult to pronounce! The leaflets said that one was to stop heavy bleeding and the other was to stop pain as well as heavy bleeding. They were not antibictics and the doc didn't say anything about an infection.

When I went back this morning and he said that he would refer me to have the d&c I said "isn't that what you have when you've had a miscarriage" the doc said yes and was talking about the bleeding and waiting for the lump to come out, and something about the d&c getting rid of the excess. I said "what else could cause the bleeding other than a miscarriage?" and he said "nothing". So, it seems that he was hinted that it is the cause of a miscarriage, but I'm sure that can't be the case.
Obviously I should have been more specific and actually asked if he thought it was a miscarriage or not, but I'm so sickened by the thought of having the d&c that I just wasn't thinking.

Message withdrawn

Well, the dates suggest that it could be but I was on the depo injection. The doctor obviously knows this.

Aniles - are you sure he has referred you for a D&C and not just an appointment with a gynaecologist? GPs do not usually refer direct for D&C as far as I am aware. Perhaps it is different in your area. Usually a gynaecologist will be asked to investigate bleeding. Have you been on the pill or had deopprovera injections?

Was the medicine he gave you called Tranexamic Acid? Bleeding can be due to hormonal disruption which might need treated rather than D&C.

Posts crossed. Deop may be the cause of your bleeding. Not sure if D&C will be helpful - should be gynaecologist decision rather than GP IMO.

I've had the depo for about 6 years without any problems. The doctor did say that I will have to have a d&c but I suppose the initial referal might be to see a gynaecologist, he didn't say that though. I suppose I'll find out when I get the appointment letter through. If the letter does say that the appointment is for a d&c I'll talk to my doctor.

Thank you for talking to me everyone

The bleeding stopped a few days ago but I have not yet heard anything from the hospital about an appointment. Since the bleeding has stopped and I'm not in any pain, do you think that I should just cancel the appointment when it does come through? I'm assuming that a d&c is no longer neccessary?

If I was in your place I wouldn't bother with the D&C, but if the gynae appointment comes, I might just go along to talk things through with her/him.

Thanks for your reply Sparks

Can anyone else confirm that they think the d&c is no longer needed?