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Original poster

D&C or medication?

16 replies

maria2bela1 · 31/08/2023 14:52

I'm preparing ahead today after bad news at my scan. For those with experience, would you chose a D&C or medication? Do you have to be put to sleep or have an epidural with D&C? Were there any after effects etc? Thanks

OP posts:
Solongmarianne92 · 31/08/2023 15:53

Sorry for your loss. I wanted D&C straight away but had to have 2 doses of medical management first which weren’t effective for me. I eventually got my D&C which was done under general anaesthetic. It’s a short procedure and I was home by lunchtime and felt very relieved to have the physical side done.
Some people prefer to avoid surgery but I personally hated the waiting with expectant/ medical management, it just depends on what you feel you can handle best xx

moosey89 · 31/08/2023 17:53

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've had 2 MMCs and chosen surgery both times. I wanted to just have it over and done with so I could move forward. I deal much better with a medical situation than an emotional one! I don't believe I've had any side effects from either surgery. I went in at about 7am and was home by 3 with minimal pain and just spotting for 2 weeks after the first day. I had general anaesthetic both times as I didn't want to be awake for it. I hate even being awake for dentist procedures!

FiddleLeaf · 31/08/2023 17:56

I’ve had both and would opt for surgery every time. It’s a long day but feels like moving forward. I also had to have surgery after medical anyway due to retained tissue.

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 31/08/2023 17:58

So sorry if its bad news.

I had d&c twice with no problems. Would have chosen that option again if needed.

Blue2020 · 31/08/2023 18:25

So sorry for your loss.

I had the miscarriage due to lots of time passing, it ended up incomplete so they then offered both those options. I opted for the surgery (erpc/d&c) to have an ending to it all. I wish I could have had that to start with. It was so much better than naturally passing the miscarriage at home and in lots of pain. Mine was under general anastetic. I conceived again three months later and my baby is now 4months old - just to add a positive outcome.

Ostridge · 31/08/2023 18:43

Sorry you are having to deal with this - it is really shit.

I had 3 D&C (3 MMC). I chose medical management for the first but due to stubborn retained products, I had to have a D&C anyway. so I opted for D&Cs for 2 & 3.

I'd go for the D&C again if needed though I recovered quickly from the GA - I know not everyone does. As others have said, it was over quickly and I could move on rather than waiting for the medical management to work, or not!

I had scar tissue so had a 4th surgery to remove it. I then got pregnant and had a baby so a happy ending after all that shit.

Be kind and look after yourself. Hope it all goes well x

SJR86 · 31/08/2023 18:48

Sorry you are having to prepare for this.
I had a D&C under a local anaesthetic, meant I could be in and out of the hospital by lunchtime and got it over with quickly. I had to stay for an hour after the procedure so they could monitor any bleeding (which was minimal).
They managed it so well - everything was screened off so we couldn't see anything. My partner was able to stay with me the entire time.

TTCbaby2023 · 31/08/2023 19:11

I'm really sorry for your loss and can only sympathise having gone through that just a few months ago. There is no wrong choice but I preferred the pill option as I was too scared of the Asherman's syndrome. The contractions can be painful (and boy they were!) but I didn't regret my choice and would do the same if I had to go through all of that again.

Olivia199 · 31/08/2023 19:33

I'm so sorry you're going through this OP. It's worth finding out what the options are for your hospital. I'm in for an ERPC under general anaesthetic tomorrow as that's my choice. I know my hospital also offers MVA (a similar procedure) done under local anaesthetic. Then of course there is expectant management of just waiting, and the tablets.

I've opted for the surgery under GA as I'm totally happy with anaesthetics and not concerned on that front and would just like it all to be done. I've got a 2 year old at home and didn't want to go through a natural or medicated one while looking after her.

Wishing you all the best.

Justaponder · 31/08/2023 20:02

I'm so sorry you have received bad news.
I personally chose to have a D&C when I experienced a MMC, and would choose it again if the same were to happen in the future. I had it under general. I do know someone who wasn't under general during their D&C, and given her experience I know that she would not recommend this. Sending hugs and I hope that everything goes smoothly, whichever option you choose x

Alloveragain3 · 31/08/2023 20:25

I'm so sorry OP.

I was leaning towards surgical but there was a 5 day wait, so I went with medical as I could start that day.

I had read some scary stories on here but it was actually very straightforward. I took the pain relief and it was no worse than a bad period (with more bleeding).

I was anxious about retained products, but all was fine.

I had read that the surgical option carries a small risk of scarring which can affect future fertility, so I was glad to go the medical route in the end.

smashburger · 31/08/2023 22:58

Sorry for your loss xx
I had a D&C in Nov 2021. It wasn't through choice (although it's probably what I would have chosen if I had the option)
I called the hospital at 6am to confirm I was going ahead and they said yes and to take the pill I had been given at my pre-op a few days before
I went in at 8am alone with a bag to keep me occupied
Nurses came by my bed when ready to go into surgery. The doctors were all around my head as I shut my eyes
Opened them to find a warm pack on my tummy and lovely nurses. I was panicking wanting to phone DP so he wasn't worried and they helped me. Drs came by to confirm everything went fine and discharged me

I was sore for a week. It was eased to period like cramps by day 5 but I stayed in bed still sad
Started to feel a bit better 3 weeks later

Xxx

Original poster
maria2bela1 · 01/09/2023 07:24

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your experiences. Sonographer said likely I'll miscarry so I'm just playing the waiting game now. I hate this waiting limbo part. I have a scan booked for 2 weeks time.

OP posts:
PilarG · 01/09/2023 10:22

I had one miscarriage and I took the medication when I was heavily bleeding (the doctor said I was already having a natural missed misscariage so the medication was just to make sure everything was removed) however I would have prefer to have D&C

the pain was horrible (both physical and emotionally) I was 10 weeks ahead, I was traumatized for a month... it was a long healing process...

will never do that again

Cowlover89 · 01/09/2023 10:35

I tried the medication bit didn't work so had surgery but was awake. Worst pain ever. Never again! Definitely get put to sleep. So sorry for your loss x

NancyMaloni · 01/09/2023 10:37

D&c, no problems at all.
I am sorry you are going through shit time xx

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