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.
What does D&C Stabd for?
D&C stands for
dilatation and curettage
. It’s an operation where your cervix is dilated (opened) to remove the womb’s lining with suction and light scraping. It can be both a diagnostic test for issues such as abnormal bleeding and a form of treatment for a range of conditions.
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 difference between D&C and D&E?
A D&E is done during the second trimester and is pretty similar to a D&C in that
it uses a vacuum aspiration
, but requires more surgical instruments to remove the tissue (like forceps). Because it’s done later on in a pregnancy, it can take a little longer.
How long does it take to recover from a D&C?
Post-D&C recovery time for a D&C procedure varies per patient but it’s typical to rest for
2-3 days after
your D&C surgery. You should be able to resume your normal activities after your rest period. You may also be instructed to take off a full week if pain and discomfort is keeping you from your normal activities.
Do they put you to sleep for a D&C?
Some D&C procedures may be performed
while you are asleep under general anesthesia
, or while you are awake under spinal or epidural anesthesia. If spinal or epidural anesthesia is used, you will have no feeling from your waist down.
How much does a D&C cost 2020?
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 do they perform a D&C?
During a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C),
your doctor uses a vaginal speculum to hold the walls of the vagina apart
. Then your doctor inserts a series of rods (dilators) of increasing thickness to open (dilate) your cervix and allow access to your uterus.
How soon after D&C can you get pregnant?
Most health care practitioners recommend
waiting three menstrual cycles
before trying to get pregnant after a D&C. This gives the uterus time to rebuild its lining in order to support another baby. But depending on how early your miscarriage was, your practitioner might recommend waiting more or less time.
What do they do with baby after D&C?
Some hospitals offer services such as:
saving the pregnancy tissue from a D&C
where possible (provided you have explicitly requested this) arranging to have pregnancy tissue cremated at your request. giving you back the pregnancy tissue for your own private burial or cremation.
Are you intubated during 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.
Do you get intubated for a D&C?
We documented six anesthesia-related complications; three (0.03%) in D&C procedures (laryngospasm not requiring intubation [n = 2] and respiratory stridor) and three (0.30%) in D&E procedures (laryngospasm requiring intubation, seizure, and hypotension/bradycardia). Only one patient (0.01%)
required intubation
.
At what point do you need a D&C?
About 50% of women who miscarry do not undergo a D&C procedure. Women can safely miscarry on their own with few problems in pregnancies that end before 10 weeks.
After 10 weeks
, the miscarriage is more likely to be incomplete, requiring a D&C procedure.
Is bleeding 5 days after D&C Normal?
Sometimes women experience an episode of heavy bleeding and cramps
4-6 days after the D&C
. If this happens, lie down and rest. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) or Tylenol, rest, and a hot water bottle or heating pad on the abdomen are helpful for relieving cramps.
Do you gain weight after D&C?
Doctor’s response
Certainly a woman can get tired from blood loss that is due to the procedure. Sore breasts, fatigue and weight gain are all characteristics of hormonal changes that occur as a result of pregnancy.
Is a D&C considered an abortion?
During pregnancy or postpartum
The World Health Organization recommends D&C with a sharp curette as a method of
surgical abortion
only when manual vacuum aspiration with a suction curette is unavailable.
