Last Updated on February 22, 2024 by Natalie

When my unborn baby’s heart stopped beating while I was 9 weeks pregnant, I was given a couple of options:

1. Miscarry naturally
2. Have a D&C miscarriage

What is a D&C?

A D&C (Dilation and curettage) is a surgical procedure where they remove part of the lining of the uterus as well as the contents inside it. It can be done by scraping but mine was done using suction. This is done under general anesthesia.

D&C Miscarriage vs. Natural Miscarriage

I read through online forums and spoke to my mom, sister and cousin about their experiences with their natural miscarriages and D&C after a miscarriage.

My sister’s 4 miscarriages were all natural, and she described them as heavy periods. However, my sister’s miscarriages happened earlier than 9 weeks and some were missing a fetal pole or any evidence of a yolk sac, others, had no heartbeat from the start.

My cousin opted for a natural miscarriage but after a couple of days of intense cramps and bleeding while laid up on her couch, she went to the hospital and they did a D&C after miscarriage. She said she felt the natural miscarriage is what she imagined a mini labor felt like, even though she had not yet had a baby. Despite all the clots she passed at home, the doctors said she hadn’t shed much at all. The same thing happened to my mom.

My mom has had several D&Cs. Not only D&Cs for miscarriages but to clean out cysts in her uterus until she ultimately did a hysterectomy. She insisted the D&C procedure was no sweat.

I have read about quite a few women who opted for natural miscarriages but ultimately needed to go in for a D&C after miscarriage because they didn’t pass everything.

Why I Chose a D&C

I opted for a D&C miscarriage because, as much as I didn’t want to be away from my little boy while I was in the hospital, I didn’t know how long, or messy or painful a natural miscarriage would be and while I would’ve taken my chances a few years ago, I don’t have time to be out of commission for a couple of days.

Now I have a little boy who relies on me.  Aside from things anyone can do (like feed, entertain or change him), there are various things that only I can do, like put him to sleep, give him cheche (breastfeed) and whatever he only wants me for, which is a lot (no complaints).

The D&C procedure gave me certainty around my miscarriage. When it would start, end and how much of it I’d feel. It would be scheduled and fast.

A D&C procedure for miscarriage also allowed the opportunity to do chromosomal testing, which I chose to do.

My doctor discussed all the risks involved but also assured me this is a basic, simple procedure. One that interns start with as practice.

Downside of a D&C Procedure (for me)

This would be the first time I go under general anesthesia. But, that wasn’t that big of a deal to me.

I went 35 years avoiding an IV. I avoided it when I had my wisdom teeth removed and I’ve never gotten the boob job I’ve dreamed of since elementary school because of it.  My streak ended when I gave birth to my boy in 2019. And not due to a lack of trying to keep it going!

So when I found out I needed one for my D&C procedure, I became fixated and fearfully obsessed about that. Yes, the IV was what I was focused on.

Then they told me I had to be at the hospital at 5:30AM. Now I had the anxiety of getting to bed as early as possible and getting up at this God forsaken hour. In a way, it helped diffuse the anxiety.  Like creating pain in your hand to distract from your headache.

Prepping for a D&C Procedure

There are a few day-of instructions I was given:

• No fragrances, jewelry, makeup or valuables
• Wear comfortable clothing
• No food or water after midnight. I can have up to 8 oz of water an hour before the surgery

My D&C Procedure Day

The Logistics

To maintain as much normalcy as possible for my toddler, I decided to go with my mom to my D&C procedure and my husband would stay with our son. That way when my boy wakes up, he’ll at least be with someone who he lives with, even if they aren’t the one who usually takes care of his morning needs. My husband works outside of our home so it’s usually just me and my boy in the morning.

I also felt my mom would actually be a better companion for me because there’s nothing like the care and attention of a parent.

Morning of the D&C Procedure

I woke up several times throughout the night and would look at the clock to see if it was time to get up. How many hours do I have left? 

I was awake from 1AM until 1:30AM. I woke up again around 2AM. And finally at 4:30AM and I stayed laying awake until I slipped out of bed at 4:43AM.

I wedged my pillow up against my little boy, where my body had been. I changed my clothes and brushed my teeth.

5:00AM: My mom texted me that she was here. I kissed my boys goodbye and I drove us to the hospital. 

The streets were practically empty. We had the highway to ourselves. The streets were dark except for the glow from the light posts, buildings and billboards. It was beautiful. My favorite scene. I was wide awake now. It was a beautiful, serene moment to share with my mom. 

5:20AM: I received a text from my husband:

5:30AM: We arrived at the hospital and the free valet parking I was promised was closed 😒.

We went to Admissions. I answered questions I already answered on the phone twice yesterday.

“Any history of diabetes, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure…?”

“Drink alcohol? Smoke?”

We then went up to the surgery department where I answer the same questions again. Then someone came to take me to pre-op.

Pre-op

He handed me a bag of items to change into. I wiped down my body as instructed and changed into my hospital gown, hair cap and foot covers. I took a pregnancy test that of course was positive. 

Then, they put in my IV. It was terrible. He put it in the crease of my arm and that ish hurt.

They did a blood draw from the IV to confirm my blood type in case of emergency and then started to give me fluid to hydrate me. I met the 3 ladies on the team tending to me: a nurse, and 2 ladies from anesthesia. They each spoke to me and asked me if I had any questions for them. The nurse asked me all the same questions I had answered multiple times earlier.

My doctor arrived and spoke to me and gave me the opportunity to ask questions.

7:20AM: I called my toddler one last time as I was leaving in 3 minutes. He barely paid any attention to me.

I am so happy I was able to have my mom sit by me until the last moment.

They gave me a sedative to relax and rolled me in a bed to my “surgery room” which wasn’t quite a room like you see in hospitals. It looked more like a utility room. They put a plastic mask over my nose and mouth and told me to take deep breaths. I inhaled about 5 times and I don’t remember anything else.

Waking Up After My D&C Procedure

I opened my eyes and the nurse called my mom to let her know I was awake. I was in a bed in a room with a bunch of other beds lined up. It looked like the orphanages or old war hospitals you see on TV. 

“What happened to my left hand?” is the first thing I remember saying when I woke up.

“Why does it hurt? There’s something on it.” My mom called the anesthesiology nurse and she explained she took blood from me there while I was under. She had taped some gauze on it. It was bruised on the top of my hand and around another prick on my wrist. I asked why. She said everything went well and nothing to worry about. I started crying.

The nurse removed my IV. Still terrible.

After asking a few times, I was finally able to go to the bathroom. There, I discovered I was wearing a mesh panty with a pad. The panty was sitting right under my butt because I guess they didn’t lift me up to pull it all the way up. I changed back into my regular clothes and shoes. 

I felt unsteady on my feet. Especially if I bent over. But I wasn’t in pain.

10:00AM: My mom drove us back home.

We picked up my prescriptions. I was prescribed Ibuprofen 800 mg and Doxycycline 100mg. A prescription for methergine was delivered to me 2 days later.

My Recovery

I never had to take the ibuprofen. Not even 1. Honestly, the most painful part of my recovery was my bruised hand. Why on earth would anyone choose that area for taking blood???

I also opted to skip methergine. I read you shouldn’t take it while breastfeeding and called my doctor to confirm that advice (even though she knew I was breastfeeding and assured me there would be no conflict with that and my D&C procedure). Methergine is supposed to help your uterus contact to get rid of any remnants but so does breastfeeding so I opted to use my toddler as my drug of choice. Not everyone is prescribed methergine after a D&C so I knew it wasn’t mandatory. Quite frankly, I didn’t want to add weaning my toddler to my emotional plate.

I spotted very lightly for 1 week.

2 Weeks After the Procedure

I had a burst of dark brown bleeding. Brown blood is “old” blood, so this was likely my body getting rid of remnants from the D&C.

At my 2 week follow up appointment, the doctor told me that the chromosomal testing was inconclusive.

This was also when I first learned what a partial molar pregnancy was.

Part 3 is all about that part of this experience.

My HCG was 147. I needed to test my HCG weekly until I had a value under 5, three weeks in a row (because of the molar pregnancy business).

3 Weeks After

I had cramps and sore nipples for a few days.

My HCG was 26.

4 Weeks After

Exactly 28 days after my D&C miscarriage, I got my period.

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Click Post 3 to read all about my journey that focuses on the potential of a partial molar pregnancy.