D and C - my experience

[Froglet7]

Hi all,

Firstly, I’m very sorry you’re found yourself in this corner of the internet and the loss you may have suffered. I have had a D and C recently following a missed miscarriage at my 12 week scan. Growth stopped around 10.5 weeks. I was keen to find out about the procedure and detail before hand so I’m hoping this may help someone similar.

1. I was scanned at 12 week appt in an NHS Scotland hospital (England may be different). I was told there was no heartbeat, and taken pretty swiftly to the early pregnancy loss ward (a godsend of a place to not be mixed in with the rest of the maternity hospital).
2. They do one D and C a day and tomorrows slot was full so I had to wait a day.
3. I reported at 0730, to a private room (also lucky) and was given diclofenac and tablets to soften my cervix. They also took bloods and my blood pressure.
4. The nurse discussed what would happen in detail, and how I might feel after. she also ran through options for cremation/ burial / taking home - which floored me and the tear gates truly opened. DH asked about the hospital chaplain - who came and did a prayer with us (I’m not particularly religious but it was lovely) and she also did a blessing with DH over the baby after the surgery.
5. I then waited for the surgery list - as maternity emergencies come first naturally. I was visited by the anaesthetist and the registrar separately to discuss the procedure.
6. The surgery team arrived for me around 10:45. I was definitely weeping and I was wheeled into surgery, put on a different bed and poked and prodded a bit (ecg, blood pressure, cannula) everyone was very kind.
7. I woke up back in my room - apparently waxing lyrical about how great general anaesthetics were but when I came back to the room I was tired.
8. checked in every 15 mins and after an hour I asked for pain relief and got dihydrocodeine - pain wasn’t horrendous just internal and starting to have nippy cramps.
9. After 3 hours, a wee, something to eat and some other criteria I’ve forgotten I went home. Starving as I had fasted. Managing pain at home with ibuprofen and paracetamol was more than adequate.

Useful to pack for me was : iPad, headphones, soft tissues, spare pants, a nightie and long cardigan and sliders to just waddle out to the car in, water and snack for after.

Happy for any questions and just hopeful that helps someone. I was v grateful for the care I had and I know it’s not the same for all.

Froglet, sorry you’ve found yourself in this horrible situation, my heart goes out to you xx
Not that there’s ever a good miscarriage experience but my D&C was different. I had to have several weeks of scans “just to make sure”. After the final one I was scheduled for a D&C but was too scared to be put to sleep so opted for the local anaesthetic which involved an injection in the cervix (painful) and gas and air for the procedure itself. If I ever find myself having to have a D&C again I would opt to be put to sleep or for the medication option, as I found the surgery painful, loud, stressful and pretty relentless. Once the doctor started he was very swift but also quite rough. I suppose it’s like ripping a plaster off, he just wanted to get it all out as quick as possible. But boy it felt brutal. The nurses either side of me were lovely and held my hand and kept talking to me. I didn’t want my fella in the room as I didn’t want him to see me like that but I wish he’d been there now as I sometimes feel like if he was, the memory of it wouldn’t feel like such a burden on me. Not a nice experience to share with him afterward and it probably would have been easier if he’d just been there. Afterward I got dressed straight away and sat in a quiet waiting room for 10
minutes but once I saw another lady go in the same room I freaked out and went home. I had a moderate amount of bleeding and cramps afterward and I did pass some enormous clots, a couple that more or less filled my hand. It was crap experience but I guess I know what I’d do different next time. Also happy to answer any questions.

Summer fruit - I’m sorry about your experience. Like you say there is no nice experience but yours sounds unfortunately not great. I can’t even imagine having to go through that without the set up I had. - hugs to you xx

@Froglet7 my experience in England wasn't too different. I was under the EPU already, so had a confirmation scan there on the Monday, pre-op appointment back at the EPU Tuesday, and they didn't have a space free for surgery until the Thursday (bless the nurses in EPU, they did try to get me in for the Wednesday).

I went in at 7am, was in surgery by 10 (had pessaries before), home by 3. I had general anaesthetic too. Every single member of staff was so lovely.

My first MMC I had surgical management privately as I had health insurance through work so the wait was quicker (next day surgery), private room etc. but the care I had from all the staff in both experiences was amazing and I'm so grateful to them x

Thank you for posting @Froglet7

I had my 12 week scan last Friday and was told similar to you, except there is also a chance that it is a partial molar pregnancy. I have to go back for another scan tomorrow because of the hospital policy, but have been told that I will have to have surgical management because of the risk of it being a partial molar.

I am absolutely terrified at the thought of having surgical management, and your OP has made me feel better, so thank you. Hope you are recovering okay.

@Burningthroughthesky i honestly think surgery was the best option for me. And feel much better after - so wishing the same feeling for you. You will be well looked after by lovely staff I promise. Recovery is going well - no painkillers day 2 just taking it easy. Love and hugs for the procedure xx

Thanks so much for sharing, just found out at my 12 week scan that I've had a MMC so need to choose my options. I was leaning towards surgical anyway as I don't think I could cope emotionally with natural or medical management, your post has really helped explain things.

No problem - hope all goes well for you !

A week on I have intermittent bleeding but emotionally feel okay - and same with physically, it’ll be a wee while longer before fully back to normal but hopefully soon x

Hello , I had this procedure done under local 3 days ago i was 10 weeks but heart stopped at 9 . can i ask on the pain after that you experienced. day 1 i was ok . day 2 and 3 the cramps are getting worse to the point i’m up crying in pain in the night. called doctors but given codine . Thank you in advance .

@callie2045 sorry for your loss !

Pain was a bad period but I kept dosed up. Maybe you need to go back in and see someone just to check ? Have you called 111 or the hospital? Hope you’re feeling Better soon ! X