Comments on: D&C or a D&E After a Pregnancy Loss

By: Chickenpig

Chickenpig — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:43:47 +0000

Thank you, yet again for this wonderful website and resource. It has been 2 weeks now since my D&C, and this reminded me that I have to make my follow up appointment.

By: Liz Pagan

Liz Pagan — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:20:23 +0000

I have found this website to be extremely helpful. I went in for a routine OB visit on 11/9/11 and was told that no fetal heartbeat was detected – I was 15.6 weeks. The week before Dr saw the baby moving and heart beat looked good (on 11/3/11). So I am confused, frustrated and devastated. I was given the options of having a D&E or going into labor, I am opting for a D&E because I do not think I can handle all tyhat comes along with being induced and going into labor. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a hospital/dr that could see me and do the actual procedure until Fri 11/18/11… so I am sitting home and crying until then. I am also worried about how waiting will impact my health. This is too much for anyone to handle. I am trying to keep my head on straight as I have a beautiful 6 yr old son that brings a smile to my face everyday – and my husband has ben an amazing support through all of this. I am sorry to read about all your losses, but will say that this has been helpful to read and get a lot of useful information.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:17:36 +0000

Thank you for this information! I just experienced my first miscarriage and the emotional toil was harder to bear than the physical hardships. I am returning to work 6 days after this miscarriage, and for other women who are experiencing this- I can echo most of the things said here, but please do yourself a favor and take care of yourself! Take care of your emotional well-being before returning to work. It is the best thing for you and your body. I was lucky that I had a support system in place that helped me recognize how important resting was after my D&E. Trust me when I say, missing a week of work to support your emotional well-being is the best thing you can do for yourself. God bless you! Philippians 4:13 and Psalm 23.

By: Renea

Renea — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 22:51:20 +0000

Thank you for your info and input on this subject.

By: Chicago

Chicago — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:48:42 +0000

I’m so sorry that we are all here. My prayers are with you all and your angel babies.

I had a D&C on 9/29. The day before, it was confirmed by ultrasound – there was no baby, just empry sacs of fluid. Preliminary lab reports show a partial molar pregnancy. Not only have we lost the baby, but we have concerns for my health. I want to have another child, but we aren;t sure how long we have to wait to TTC and I am 41. I did great after the D&C, as well as the day after. I had little spotting, almost no cramps, and was just a bit tired. On the 2nd day following, I didn’t feel well. I had some pain. Still only spotting. The 3rd day, OK, in fact I swicthed to pantyliners because it was so light. Today – the 4th day after, I was dizzy this am, and have had quite a bit of cramping today. I’m bleeding, more than I have during this entire process. Not enough to soak a pad an hour, but I really didn’t bleed even after the procedure. I started the pill today and I’m wondering if that has something to do with this. More hormones to confuse my system!

I hope you are all well.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:08:13 +0000

Just found out at 11.4wks that there was no heartbeat and no formation of the skull and brain. I was told to have a D&C, its scheduled for tomorrow 8-17-10. I was shocked by the news as our 8wk ultrasound was normal and i have all the signs of pregnancy. I feel a deep loss now and not sure I will be able to get through work later this week when I intend to go back.
Reading all the entries at this website was very helpful and I feel more prepared on what to expect tomorrow and in the days to come. Thank you all for your words of advise. This loss was heartbreaking as it was our 1st pregnancy following frozen embryo transfer and after 14mos of trying with fertility treatment including IUI, IVF. We will remain hopeful for the future and pray that the Lord will bless us down the road.

By: Camey

Camey — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:35:01 +0000

My sincerest condolences to everyone who’s posted on this thread. Having a miscarriage is truly one of the worst experiences a couple can have. I’ve lost 4 pregnancies in the last two years: I had a D&C for a blighted ovum at around 6.5 weeks, a natural miscarriage around 6 weeks, a chemical pregnancy, and then a D&E at 20 weeks after our daughter was diagnosed with a severe brain defect. The last was by far the worst–second trimester losses are their own brand of hell.

One thing I want to add that I don’t think others have mentioned is that second trimester D&Es are typically a two day procedure. On the first day, they start the dialation process by inserting laminaria sticks into your cervix. These are actually made of seaweed and gradually expand as they absorb cervical fluid. I had to go in once in the morning to have the first batch inserted, and again in the afternoon for the second batch. This was the most painful part of the D&E procedure, both physically and emotionally. I was prescribed Vicadin and high-dose ibuprofen which helped with the pain. The actual D&E procedure was scheduled in the afternoon of the second day. They put me completely under for that procedure, and compared to the first day, it was a piece of cake.

A few final notes: many insurance companies will not cover second trimester D&Es if the mother’s life is not threatened, regardless of the viability of the pregnancy. It can be a very expensive procedure to have done in a hospital–we were given an estimate of $13,000! Fortunately, our insurance did ultimately cover everything, but only after much haggling with lawyers and other people responsible for the management of my husband’s health plan. Also, not all states allow second trimester D&Es, so you may have to travel to have the procedure done. As if the trauma of finding out that your child is sick, dying, or already dead isn’t enough…

Best of luck to all of you–I hope you get you’re happy ending very soon!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:02:38 +0000

It has been over 10 years and I still wonder what really happened. I was pregnant and heard the heart beat and was pretty sick with morning sickness. I still remember the day I felt “better” and wondered why I felt so good. I was wearing maternity clothes because it was my third pregnancy and my other children were so excited about the baby. I went to my regular check up alone because my husband went to the other ones and this was just a normal “check up” and the nurse and Dr. could not find the heartbeat. After another “high tech” ultrasound it confirmed that the baby must have died. The next day I went in for a D&E. To this day I wonder so many things….and wish I asked more questions. This happened around Memorial Day weekend and every year at this time is very difficult for me. I don’t know if anyone else remembers but I will never forget. Since then we have been blessed with another child. Thank you for letting me share my story. If you are in this situation and are deciding what to do…ask a lot of questions! I regret to this day that I didn’t ask more questions like was my child a boy or a girl?

By: Sarah in Huntsville

Sarah in Huntsville — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:02:32 +0000

I had my first D&C for a 10-week miscarriage on July 7, 2009. I had my second D&C for a 13-week miscarriage on February 24, 2010. Both times, the miscarriage was determined when we went in for a regular checkup and found no heartbeat.

It is an extremely difficult decision whether or not to have a D&C, and this site has some good information. In particular, the advice to not rush back to work right away is SPOT ON. Miscarriage is devastating, and there’s nothing wrong or weak about taking the time you need to grieve.

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:07:56 +0000

Thank you for this website full of information. I just loss our daughter at 24 weeks, her heart was no longer beating and she had IUGR so she was measuring more like 20 weeks. Having made the decision to have a D&E instead of induction was hard but the emotional toll of labor would have been worse. Your website gave me more information making me feel secure with my decision.