Having a D&C Tomorrow. How Will I Feel Afterwards?

Updated on November 28, 2012
S.A. asks from Chicago, IL
19 answers

So I've been going through this ordeal of going and getting ultrasounds to check heart tones. I was supposed to go this Friday for another one, but I started spotting and cramping yesterday so I went in. The heartbeat was gone so they scheduled me for a D&C tomorrow unless it starts happening before then, in which case I'll go right to the hospital.

I have wonderful, supportive friends who are going to be helping me with my kids. My mom is going to go to the hospital with me since my husband cannot take tomorrow off. I'm just wondering if I'll need my mom to stay with me all afternoon until he gets home or if I'll be OK to be up and about a little bit taking care of the kids.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your advice and kind words! The procedure went fine, and I felt pretty much like you all said I would. My mom stayed until my husband came home, and my friends helped out with watching my little one during the procedure and picking my older kids up from school. Now I'm just wondering if my hormones are going to go haywire like they did after I delivered my kids.

Featured Answers

M.L.

answers from Chicago on

I am sorry you have to go through this. I had one 7 years ago. You will probably be sore and tired for a couple of days. For me it was just like a regular period but I had awful periods for years and was used to it. The emotional rollercoaster was worse for me.

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K.S.

answers from Denver on

So sorry you are going through this. When I had them done I was usually affected most by the anesthesia, I was tired and groggy. Some cramping, but not too bad. If mom can stay and help, I would definitely take her up on that. Hugs to you.

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E.B.

answers from Seattle on

You will want to have help.

I had one done at 19.

I did not expect it to be so uncomfortable afterwards.

I had weekend plans after I had mine done, not understanding it was surgery surgery. At 19 you would think I should have known.....I was pretty clueless.

I would make sure there is help around you for the next few days.

I remember I bleed quite a bit after mine. That bleeding came with cramps that were a bit worse then a period.

I am so so sorry for your loss.

I will keep you in my thoughts through out this week.

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C.Z.

answers from Omaha on

Hey hon. I know your pain. I had mine done two weeks ago. The mental hurt makes it so much worse.

I was down for two days. You will have what feels like contraction cramps but my doctor sent me home with hydrocodone. (it was a godsend and I dont like even taking tylenol!). I would have your mom there for help.

If you need someone who has recently been through it let me know. I am so sorry.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

It has been about seven years for me, too. But I remember making sure I kept my LO at the child care center all day. I also took a couple days to pull myself together. Yes, a little sore and groggy from anesthesia.
I would definitely have your mom stay. You may need her more for you, than for the kids. Nothing is better than a mommy's hug during a hard time - even as an adult.

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A.B.

answers from Louisville on

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's a difficult and heartbreaking experience all the way around. Two of my miscarriages required D&C's, but they were totally different experiences, recovery-wise. The first one was extremely painful with a lot of cramping and bleeding. I also felt very out of it for hours after coming home from the surgery and ended up having spending the night with my grandmother (because my husband worked 3rd shift and was worried about leaving me alone). I don't know if something went wrong with the procedure or if it was more difficult because it was my first pregnancy and therefore harder on my body. But the second D&C was two years ago, and it was no trouble at all, physically speaking. I hardly had any cramping or bleeding, and I was able to be up and around within a couple of hours.

My best advice is to take it very easy afterwards. Resist the temptation to do too much too soon. Listen to your body. If it is hurting or if your bleeding picks up, you're doing too much and need to rest some more.

I'm glad you've got supportive friends and family to help you out, and I hope you can find peace with this loss.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I'm sorry. :( When I had mine, I had absolutely no pain. cramping, or bleeding. I was a little groggy from the anesthesia. I don't think it would hurt to have your mom stay so you can rest. Take care.

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C.B.

answers from Reno on

its been 11 years since mine but i did have my friend stay with me. i was so heartbroken that i just needed that support.
many blessing to you.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

I can't answer your question, but I just want to say that my thoughts are with you. Sending you hugs, mom.

Dawn

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D.G.

answers from Dallas on

When I had mine (due to a miscarriage also) I was pretty crampy and bleeding pretty heavy. I was also extremely emotional. I didn't have any kids at the time so I didn't have to worry about it. But if I had to go through this now, I would have my mom stay and take care of the kids so I could just rest.

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K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

Everybody is different.

I had light to medium cramping and some mild discomfort, I have had 2 D&C's and both have been about the same. I was capable of getting up and about. Mental health also plays a part in how you will be feeling after its over too, so keep that in mind. For me, it was like a slightly worse period on all fronts, the cramping/bleeding side and the emotional side plus throw in some grogginess from the surgery.

~If it was me, I would be OK without my Mother but my Mother is a whirlwind. It really depends if you are comfortable having your mom around or will she stress you out?

I am sorry. I went thru the same thing as you in between my last 2 kids, it's hard when there is a heartbeat one ultra sound and then next thing you know they are telling you that there isn't one anymore. ((Big Hugs))

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K.P.

answers from New York on

You should plan on your mom being with you that afternoon. My mother had a D&C for a different reason last summer and she was crampy, tired and on meds. She didn't need to take care of anyone, so my dad took her home and she slept that afternoon, but she's was not up-and-moving for a few days after. Keep in mind that you will not be "on your feet" for several days following the procedure. They will give you the specifics, but I remember my mom needing to be sitting with her feet up and icing her abdomen every few hours and no heavy lifting. You may want to make arrangements for the kids at least through the weekend.

Good luck.

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M.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Tired, emotional, a little crampy but not that bad. mostly emotionally drained. I had no other children at the time so that helped, but if your mom can help you with them that is best.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

So sorry. :(

I went through this 7y ago. You WILL need your Mom to stick around until hubby gets home. You will need to be supervised for 24 hours. For me, there wasn't alot of physical pain, and recovery is what you go through for a full-term pregnancy.

Emotionally, I took a few days off from work to get my game face together. Having a little one around to care for (not the first day) was good medicine, but it took me a few months to feel close to my husband again. He didn't understand, for him, emotion is about closeness. For me, its not.

Don't know how far along you were, I was 11w. The one and only thing I regret was not asking before hand if they could let me know if it was a boy or girl. The u/s were not clear. I forgot to ask and didn't find out. :(
Also, I do remember receiving a pathology report from the hospital a few weeks later. It caught me off guard and brought the emotions back. It too did not say the gender. Not mentioning it to scare you, but to give you a heads up that one might arrive.

Also, when you check in and talk to the various doctors, they will use generic medical terms. I was told that it was not that they were insensitive to my situation, it was just that that was their jargon and if they didn't have a bit of 'hardness' to themselves, they couldn't do their job.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You'll feel sore, crampy and tired for a day or so - like really bad menstrual cramps.
It would be good to have your Mom look after the kids while you nap and rest up.
The extra bit of rest will help you bounce back faster than trying to go on as usual.

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S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I never had a miscarriage but did have a D&C after my 6th child was born and I had placenta retained and started hemorrhaging badly. I did it without the anesthesia and did great that way. I went home that same day and just continued to do as I would after having the baby. I'm so sorry this is a miscarriage but you should probably rest the same as you would after a delivery for a few days. I did have my mother there helping with the baby so I would advise having help for a day or two so you can rest if you can.

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

emotionally you'll probably be a wreck. i'd have your mom stay for a few days if you can

it was J. like period bad cramps and bleeding for M. but emotionally i J. wanted to lay under the covers and cry

sorry=(

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K.W.

answers from Champaign on

So sorry. I went through the same thing with my first pregnancy. It was heartbreaking since I thought that I might not ever have a child. I was very tired from the anesthetic and slept most of the day. I got up and ate dinner and went back to bed. I was uncomfortable for a couple of days and had quite a bit of bleeding. I took it easy for about a week. I was not bedridden or anything just did not do super heavy cleaning or other tasks or a long shopping trip. If you have other children, I would certainly recommend that you have your mom stay for a couple of days if possible. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

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T.D.

answers from Chicago on

I've been following your posts and was really hoping the best for you and your baby! I'm really sorry it turned out in miscarriage. I have had a couple D&C's for miscarriages and you will probably want your mom to stay. It is an emotionally draining day and I was tired from the anesthesia. Hugs to you!

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