The D&C procedure can also be used by doctors for other reasons such as the detection of fibroids or for discovery of hormonal imbalances or to look for other reasons for abnormal bleeding.  In these cases a local anaesthetic can sometimes be used and the procedure may be performed in a clinic or doctor’s office instead of the hospital.

The Procedure:

In this procedure the cervix is widened and tissue is gently removed from the lining of the uterus, in the case of a mole then a suction evacuator should be used followed by curettage to remove the lining and remaining tissue.  This can be a simple 5-minute operation sometimes, but if a mole needs to be removed then the large amount of material combined with the need to remove as close to 100% of it as possible will require much more time.

After The Procedure:

Your practitioner will need to see you within a week to check on progress.  Spotting and some discomfort are usual for a few days. The doctor should be contacted immediately if there is any heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever or chills.

Do not have sex until all bleeding stops.  Consult your doctor for advice on what activities you can perform and which special care is advised.  Women can normally ovulate and become pregnant as soon as 2 weeks after an early miscarriage. If you do not wish to become pregnant again right away then talk to your gynaecologist about birth control.  If you have had a molar pregnancy then your doctor will probably advise you to not fall pregnant until one year after the D&C operation.

Rh negative Blood

If your blood is Rh negative you should check with your doctor whether you need a blood product called Rh immune globulin (RhIG). This prevents you from developing antibodies that could affect a future Rh-positive baby.

Extra Info:  

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease” (GTD) is the name given to the growth of material that originates either from placental tissue left after miscarriage, complete and partial moles, invasive moles, placental-site trophoblastic tumours or choriocarcinomas.

If you have had a number of miscarriages in a row, your doctor may order a few tests to look for a Cause.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Trying Again : A Guide to Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss

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Click here to buy this title from Amazon UK

Silent Cradle : Helping & Understanding in Time of Pregnancy Loss

Click here to buy this title from Amazon USA

Introduction

Miscarriage - Causes

Miscarriage - Symptoms

Ectopic Pregnancy - Description

Ectopic Pregnancy - Diagnosis & Treatment

Molar Pregnancy - Description

Molar Pregnancy - Symptoms & Diagnosis

Molar Pregnancy - Treatment

The Dilation & Curettage Procedure

Handling The Loss

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