What to expect when…

You have to go through a D&C Procedure

After three D&Cs, I have had three different experiences. I wish I had known exactly what was going to take place in advance. I had one D&C scheduled to take place at a hospital, which I was prepared for mentally. A second D&C happened unexpectedly when I was in the ER. My third took place in the fertility clinic that I was being seen in.

All three times, I had to fast beforehand - no food midnight before the procedure. For my ER D&C they made me wait and not eat for 9 hours (after eating only a few bites of a croissant for breakfast), so I was very depleted in energy levels after that one.

You will have to go under anesthesia. The anesthesiologist met with me before each procedure and asked me the basic questions: age, allergies, have you ever been under anesthesia before? Any reactions? The anesthesiologist will likely talk you through the procedure.

You will be wheeled in to the operating room on a stretcher, your doctor will explain what is going to happen, then the anesthesiologist will have you put on the mask and you will slowly lose consciousness. The procedure is usually pretty quick (15 minutes)

Coming out of anesthesia is an experience different for everyone. It appears I become emotional based on what the doctors/my husband observed. You will be monitored to make sure that your blood pressure and oxygen levels remain stable. You can expect to be able to go home in between 30 minutes to 4 hours after coming out of anesthesia. I know, that’s a big range, but that’s just my experience.

What to expect when…

You get home from a D&C.

First off, getting a D&C is sad. It is a sad experience. Therefore, expect to be sad. It is ok (and healthy!) to be sad. Your body has gone through a traumatic experience, and while the doctors say to physically rest for 2-3 days, it is important to emotionally rest as well.

The below are things I wish I had known prior to my first D&C. I hope they can help you or your loved one.

Use your heat pad

To me, this was THE most important recovery tool, even in the heat of July. My nurse, Grace, said that the heating pads can sometimes be more effective than the pain killers, and I one thousand percent agree. I was born and raised on the good old fashioned hot water bottle (which Americans love hearing me say in my English accent), but there’s something extra special about the heat source maintaining heat and not having to be refreshed. My first D&C recovery involved asking my husband to refill a hot water bottle multiple times a day, but third time around, a relative (who’d been through 5 miscarriages) dropped off a heating pad. I’ve since invested in one for myself and have used it many times even just to keep me warm.

Take your meds

You will be prescribed various medications likely including an antibiotic and a pain-killer. A friend of mine suggested taking a probiotic with the antibiotic because they can counter the negative side-effects. I suggest taking the pain killer for the first 24 hours even if you don’t feel any pain. I was given ibuprofen before leaving the hospital and 6 hours later, decided I was feeling fine so I didn’t take another. That was a mistake. Cramps came back with a vengeance and my head started to pound. Keep the pain meds going for the first little while - you’re going through enough emotionally to have physical pain that is avoidable on top of it.

Drink

And no, I don’t mean get tipsy. After being under anesthesia (and not eating/drinking anything from midnight the night before until surgery), your body is dehydrated, and even though they may give you fluids via IV, for the next few days it’s really important to stay hydrated. It will keep you feeling better, and make using the bathroom easier. Gatorade, water, and prune juice are great sources to hydrate. I’d stay away from coffee/tea if you can, since caffeine can dehydrate you.

Eat

I barely ate anything after my D&C. My body had given up, as had my mind. The problem is, when you’re not eating, you’re not gaining calories so your body has no energy to expend. You feel more fatigued, but can’t sleep well, you get irritable and anxious. Once I started eating, I immediately had more energy and felt better. Start with something small - a piece of toast or some crackers. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and good protein are wise choices even though you may feel like fast food or junk. 

Rest

Your body has been through so much. It needs to rest. Pregnancy takes a toll on your mind, body, relationships, and life in general. You were planning on having a child, and now you have to readjust to live life as the “non-expecting” folk. You may find you need sleep, in which case take a nap. You may need to lie down, or just sit down. We rest in order to recover strength. Rest looks different for all of us, but whatever it is, it must help you recover strength. The opposite of rest is work. Even if you’re someone who likes to work to keep your mind off things, I suggest taking at least two days off work to let yourself recuperate. Rest your body, rest your mind.

Move

After spending time resting, it’s important to get your body moving. Go on a walk, stretch, pop upstairs just to get your body going. Don’t stay sitting or lying down for too long. While you may feel like curling up in a ball and not moving, that is going to hurt your body and your mind in the long run. Walking has always been something I’ve enjoyed, and it became a chance to talk things through with my husband but also get my mind off things when we would run in to neighbors and have an unrelated chat. Getting off the couch or out of bed is going to help you feel better.

Pray

This is something I did not feel like doing, and I doubt many of us fresh out of a D&C feel like going to God, but it is so important to stay connected and not let yourself lie in the valley alone. God tells us to cast ALL of our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). I am one who likes to delve a little deeper into bible verses. In this case, I looked up the meaning behind the word “cast”. It mean throw out, release, exhale, vent, throw, toss, discharge. The opposite of cast is “keep, repress, contain, hold”. If we are holding on to these anxieties, we are not only neglecting to follow God’s direction for our lives, but we are holding on to things that will harm our minds. I recommend writing down your burdens on a piece of paper then cast them on Him - throw them out, release them, toss them, discharge, breathe out. We can look to him for grace, strength, and sustenance. Our burden becomes light. We learn to trust Him.