Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure used to remove any remaining tissue from the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion. 1 During the procedure, a spoon-shaped device called a curette is used to gently scrape the lining of the uterine wall. Suction can also be used to aid the process.
Is a D&C painful?
The procedure shouldn’t be painful. However, you may experience some cramping during the procedure. Your doctor may order some type of sedative for you to take beforehand so that you’ll be more relaxed.
What is a D&C and why is it done?
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. Doctors perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions — such as heavy bleeding — or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion.
Is a D&C Serious?
A D&C is a safe, routine procedure. But like any surgery, it has some risks. D&C risks include: Uterine perforation (a small tear in the uterus), which may happen if the tip of the curette passes through the uterine wall.
Do and don’ts after D&C?
You may be instructed not to douche, use tampons, or have intercourse for two to three days after a D&C, or for a period of time recommended by your doctor. You may also have other restrictions on your activity, including no strenuous activity or heavy lifting.
Is it difficult to conceive after D&C?
The odds of pregnancy after a miscarriage appear to be similarly positive if you’ve had a D&C. Nearly 90 percent of women who had undergone a D&C procedure were pregnant within a year of starting to try again, one study found.
Do they put you to sleep for a D&C?
Are you awake during a D&C? Most D&Cs are done under general anesthesia. The procedure is typically very short, and general anesthetic can be quickly reversed, with the patient going home later the same day.
What is the average cost of a D&C?
Medical cost site Healthcare Bluebook estimates that, before insurance, costs for a procedure called a dilation and curettage (D&C)—which surgically clears the uterine lining after a first trimester miscarriage—can range anywhere from $2,400 to upwards of $7,500.
How many days rest after D&C?
After you have a D&C you should rest when you get home. You can go back to normal activities after 1 to 2 days (although the effects of the anaesthetic may make you feel tired). It is normal to experience some cramping or mild abdominal discomfort after a D&C.
How long after D&C Can I get pregnant?
“Fertility returns as soon as the pregnancy hormone (hCG) is cleared from the bloodstream, and some people can be very surprised to find they got pregnant within two or three weeks of the D&C,” says Nasello. Some people worry about getting pregnant so quickly after the procedure, but she says this isn’t a concern.
Which is better D&C or misoprostol?
Results: Misoprostol was more preferable than dilatation and curettage D&C in both 2010 and 2014, with percentages of 79.30% and 69.57%, respectively. There was a slight increase in the preference toward D&C in 2014.
When is a D&C needed?
Reasons for a D&C Remove tissue in the uterus during or after a miscarriage or abortion or to remove small pieces of placenta after childbirth. This helps prevent infection or heavy bleeding. Diagnose or treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
What does a D&C feel like?
You may feel tired or nauseated immediately following D&C. And in the days that follow, you may experience some mild cramping and light bleeding that can last for up to a couple of weeks.
How long does a D&C take NHS?
This operation is safe and suitable for most women; it is performed under general anaesthetic (you will be put to sleep). The procedure should only last about 20 minutes and usually only requires you to be admitted to the hospital for one day.