A miscarriage is one of the most traumatic things a woman can experience. It’s easy to feel lost and lonely after this tragedy.
But you are not alone.
About 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriages.
However, that can be very little comfort when you’ve lost someone you love.
We understand and are dedicated to standing by you during this difficult time. We also know you may have some questions like do you need a D&C procedure for miscarriage?
This question may be difficult to ask when you’re in the middle of this tragedy. We’ve taken time to answer this question and give you a more comprehensive understanding of this procedure.
What Is a D&C and How Is It Performed?
D&C stands for dilation and curettage. This procedure removes tissue from inside your uterus, which is one consideration for whether you need a D&C procedure for miscarriage.
During a D&C, you are first given medication that will relax you. In certain cases, general anesthesia is used. We will work with you to determine your best option. In general, patients have three options: Wait and see if they will complete the miscarriage on their own, use medication to cause the miscarriage to occur, or have a D&C.
Once this medication takes effect, the cervix is dilated, and we use a series of small medical tools to gently open it. Then, one of our OBGYNs uses a medical instrument called a curette to remove tissue. In certain cases, we may use suction to obtain the tissue.
Sometimes, a D&C is combined with a hysteroscopy, which enables us to view the lining of your uterus by inserting a very thin instrument equipped with a camera and light. The image is then projected onto a screen; this enables us to make a careful evaluation and an accurate diagnosis of your issues.
(Read more about a hysteroscopy in our earlier blog “What Is a Hysteroscopy? All You Need to Know.”)
What Is a D&C Procedure Used For?
It’s important to understand that a D&C is used to treat many conditions. It’s a useful procedure to determine why you’re experiencing heavy bleeding or removing tumors or polyps.
It can also be used to treat bleeding after delivery by removing any remaining placenta that is still inside the uterus.
Do You Need a D&C Procedure for Miscarriage?
This depends upon your individual situation—in fact, half of women who have experienced a miscarriage do not need a D&C procedure for miscarriage. In general, if the pregnancy ended before 10 weeks, women can safely miscarry without a D&C.
Medicines such as mifeprostone and misoprostol are used to treat missed abortions, which is the medical term for a miscarriage that has not yet occurred.
However, after 10 weeks, there’s a greater chance that the miscarriage will not be as complete, and therefore you may need a D&C procedure for miscarriage.
How Long Does A D&C Procedure for Miscarriage Usually Take?
The procedure itself takes around 10 to 15 minutes. However, because you will be sedated, the prep and recovery may take several hours.
Is A D&C a Serious Procedure?
D&C is considered a minor surgery. In fact, we can perform a D&C in our office as an outpatient procedure. We believe that it is important to be surrounded by the faces of your health care team in a familiar environment during this tragic time.
CHOBGYN: Standing By Your Side During this Difficult Time
After you have experienced a miscarriage, you need time to heal not just physically, but emotionally. We understand. We want you to know that we will be with you through every step of your painful journey.
If you do need a D&C procedure for miscarriage, we can assure you that you are in good hands because we treat the entire patient. This means we are not just concerned with your physical health–we are also concerned about your psychological well-being.
We have helped hundreds of area women recover from their D&C procedure for miscarriage and have pointed them in the direction of organizations that can help them through the grieving process.
If you need more information or you would like to talk to us about scheduling an appointment, please contact us.
