Recovery from a D&C?

[leorira11]

I have a D&C scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

I should be about 10 weeks pregnant, but the baby stopped growing at 6 weeks and the heartbeat kept slowing until it stopped around 8 weeks (2 weeks ago). I haven't had any bleeding at all, so I've been diagnosed with a 'missed miscarriage'.

Given the option of cytotec (misoprostol) or a D&C, I opted for the D&C (both because it's easier emotionally because it's faster and all over all at once, and also because I had a PPH last time I delivered and I'm scared of doing the cytotec at home).

From some accounts, people are up and about the next day. But my doctor warned me to take a week off of work. I don't have that many sick days left (due to all the IVF time I take off), so I scheduled tomorrow and Wednesday off, but plan to work Thursday. Is that crazy?

I had a D&C after I delivered my twins (due to the aforementioned PPH), but it was emergency and I was recovering from delivery anyways - so I didn't notice the recovery from the D&C.

Sorry this post is so long and rambling. I'm just really nervous. Everything is going to be okay, right?

[karenthescorpio]

Leorira11- I'm so sorry to hear about your recent loss. I understand how hard it is. I haven't had a D&C before, but I just wanted you to know that all will be ok. I know many women in this forum have had them, so I'm certain you will get some helpful feedback.

I, too, loss twins near the same time as you (23 weeks) due to Incompetent Cervix (IC). What was the cause of your loss at 22 weeks? The reason I ask is b/c I've become a strong advocate of proper treatment for IC. I had a vaginal cerclage placed at 19 weeks but it didn't hold long enough...in fact it brought on an infection...thus putting me into PTL. My cervix tore during delivery and now it is even more worthless. I'm having an transabdominal cerclage (TAC) put on this coming Friday. I can't properly carry a baby due to IC and the damage from delivery...so a TAC is my only hope (unless I'm willing to find a gestational carrier). Having it placed pre-pregnancy gives me the insurance I need! I just wanted you to know that if your loss at 22 weeks was from IC...then don't bother getting a vaginal cerclage put on during your next pregnancy. If you have IC, a TAC is the best treatment to ensure you carry to term...or darn close. Most OB's or MFM's advocate for a TVC...even after they have failed. They don't work in cases in true IC. If you need a cerclage at all during your next pregnancy, get the best kind...the TAC. I wish I had known then what I know now! There is a yahoo group called Abbyloopers. You can join it. It is made up of women who lost babies due to IC and are getting a TAC. (Just in case you never heard of it.)

I'll be starting IVF in late Oct/early Nov. This time my cervix will be able to handle it! It's is a hard and long journey we IVF'ers take to get a baby, but it will be worth it. Again, I'm sorry about your recent loss (and of the twins). Sending you prayers and positive energy.

Karen

[leorira11]

Karen- Thanks for your advice.
I lost my twins after Baby Girl A's water broke. All three of the opinions I got told me to induce labor and terminate the pregnancy. I wish I had had access to some of the resources I have now. There really was NO reason not to wait it out a little bit. I wasn't in labor and had no sign of infection.

Afterwards, I was told that the majority of pPROM is caused by 3 things (1) IC, (2) uterine malformations (septate, bicournate, etc) or (3) infection. I was tested for all three and all three were fine. (no IC, no malformations and neither placenta showed signs of infection) This is all good news, since it means that the odds of pPROM happening again are slim. But now I'm really anxious about IC. There is no 'real' way to diagnose it after the fact. We are relying on the fact that an u/s week earlier had showed a long, closed, hard cervix. The u/s in the ER showed no dialating at all. When I was induced I was not dialated at all. For any future pregnancies (which, hopefully there will be, although I'm kinda close to giving up), I'm going to be super obsessed about my cervix from about week 15 to week 30! I've warned my OB that I'm going to need a lot of hand holding. After this more recent 1st trimester loss, I'm going to need hand holding the whole freaking time.

People with children tell me that it's all worth it in the end... but I can't imagine what is worth all the pain I've had to deal with....

[gi]

Hi leoiria,

I have been reading what you went thro. and i am truly sorry for your losses. I had 2 D&C's last yr as both were missed miscarriages and i was told it could take up to 3 mths to lose naturally. I was only slightly tender afterwards and spotted for about 3 wks but didnt need any painkillers or anything, it also then took about 4 wks for my hcg levels to drop to zero. While it was so heartbreaking going thro. it when i came round from the GA i felt a total sense of relief. Thank God i am now 31 wks pg and so far everything is going smoothly (touch wood), i do think it will be so worth everything we have been thro but thats easy for me to say when i lost at 7 wks and 10 wks not like yourself and Karen. I really hope and pray you will get to have your miracle baby some day xxx

Karen i think about you so often as you were a cycle buddy, i am so glad to hear you and dh are going again and that you are getting the adominal cerclage. I will be stalking the boards to see how you get on and Please God you too will get your baby xxx

gi xx

[Arabsrcool]

Just wanted to stop in and let you know about my D&C experience. Its really not a big deal. I too, choose to have the D&C because it was quicker than waiting and emotionally it was a little easier. Doc later told me I would have had to have a D&C anyway, too much tissue to come out naturally, so I made the right choice. I had the D&C on a Friday, took it easy over the weekend and back to work on Monday. We even went out to dinner that night with some friends (and yes, I had a big ol margerita) I was just tender in my abdomen and had to walk very lightly. My D&C occurred after the loss of my first baby, at 12 weeks....that was over ten years ago, and I went on to have to healthy baby girls down the road.

As someone who has been on both sides, the D&C side and getting joy having a baby, it is worth it. Its really hard to get through the "what ifs"....and I see you had experienced a prior loss of twins. All I can say is keep trying, keep your eye on the end result, and chances are you will get to hold your baby down the road. also take time to grieve for your babies, there is no time limit on that. I think as mom's we don't ever "get over" the loss of a child. Know my thoughts are with you!

[esperanza]

Hello LEORIRA...first, I'm really, really sorry for your losses. It always breaks my heart to find out about parents loosing their precious ones as I know exactly what it feels like.

Last May I had a D&C, and I have to agree with what the two other ladies have said. I did not experience much physical pain, I was just a bit tender, came home and spent the rest of the day laying on the couch/bed, watching tv and letting dh pamper me. I do have a 1 year old who did not understand that mami needed to rest, so I was pretty much doing most of what I normally do the next day (of course, I did try to take it easy as much as I could and bring down a notch or two any physical activity, nothing major...but I was up and about); exactly a week later I was on an international flight (with two lay overs) alone with my one year old, and I was ok.

My first pregnancy also ended on miscarriage and I did not have a D&C at the time, I just waited for the baby to come out on its own (this second time I decided to have the D&C because of my travel plans), and I have to say that having the D&C in a way felt easier. I'm ok with my decision of waiting the first time around, but comparing I'm able to realize that physically I felt better this second time around, and there was barely any bleeding. The other thing about the D&C is that all the pregnancy symptoms automatically disappeared in about a day. I think one of the worst feelings after finding out the baby had died was putting up with all the fatigue, mood swings, and so on (it's ok to feel all of that if you know there is a thriving baby inside, but not when you know the baby is not alive anymore).

Does your work involve much physical activity? lifting? if not, I would just go and keep it low key after the D&C, but if it involves lifting, and such I would consider staying home longer.

And sweety, YOU WILL BE OK...I know it's easier said than done. As somebody who's also gone through a lot of physical and emotional pain, I can tell you that it will be ok. I agree with Arabsrcool, as someone who has been on both sides, it is ABSOLUTELY worth it...take good care of yourself, heal, and keep on moving. We're here for you. Lots of luv. Let us know how everything turns out.

[angelaezra]

I have a D&C scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

I should be about 10 weeks pregnant, but the baby stopped growing at 6 weeks and the heartbeat kept slowing until it stopped around 8 weeks (2 weeks ago). I haven't had any bleeding at all, so I've been diagnosed with a 'missed miscarriage'.

Given the option of cytotec (misoprostol) or a D&C, I opted for the D&C (both because it's easier emotionally because it's faster and all over all at once, and also because I had a PPH last time I delivered and I'm scared of doing the cytotec at home).

From some accounts, people are up and about the next day. But my doctor warned me to take a week off of work. I don't have that many sick days left (due to all the IVF time I take off), so I scheduled tomorrow and Wednesday off, but plan to work Thursday. Is that crazy?

I had a D&C after I delivered my twins (due to the aforementioned PPH), but it was emergency and I was recovering from delivery anyways - so I didn't notice the recovery from the D&C.

Sorry this post is so long and rambling. I'm just really nervous. Everything is going to be okay, right?

Leorira – I too have had to have D & C’s in the past and I think the week is so you can heel emotionally also. I had some cramping the day following it but by day two or three I was fine to go back to work (still had some slight bleeding but it started to ease up by then). I am praying for you and I am sure everything will be fine.

Angela