Re: Benefits and risks of D&C after MC - doctors, please
From: Fadette (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 31 May 2002 17:24:10 -0500 (CDT)
Thank you very much!
I feel emotionally strong enough to go either way. I'm not afraid of
cramps, either.
My main motivation is to increase the odds of successful future
pregnancies.
That's why I'm afraid of potential scarring or uterine ruptures that
might happen with D&C.
So, far, my beta # have dropped from 11,000 down to 2,500 (I was about
5-6 weeks since LMP), and I've been bleeding for 10 days now. I saw
some bloodcloths, nothing bigger than the size of a quarter. Also the
doc pulled out some stuff during the three exams I've had.
Yesterday and today I had pretty bad cramps, but I can handle it.
How can I tell if the worst is over?
How can I know if miscarriage was complete?
What are the warning signs that should send me to ER?
At Fri, 31 May 2002, anonymous wrote:
>
>>Can you list the risks and benefits of D&C anfter MC, please?
>
>Not a doctor here, just a midwife, but will give it a shot...
>
>With a D&C there are the attendant risks of surgery, such as infection
>and any anesthesia complications. Also, additional scarring which could
>potentially (not usually) cause complications in future pregnancies.
>
>Without the D&C there is a somewhat increased risk (although this may
>largely depend on how far along you are) of infection if the process
>doesnt completely expell uterine contents, plus heavier bleeding. These
>risks are more common the farther along you were plus the longer the
>process takes. Also, the cramps associated with a naturally occuring
>miscarriage can be quite intense, sometimes approximating labor
>contractions such as you might feel early on in labor. If there is a
>complication such as heavier bleeding, you may end up in an uncontrolled
>setting such as ER with the same process rather than being able to plan
>and prepare for it. If you opt to go naturally, I would strongly
>recommend you not be alone, or that you have people readily at hand that
>you may telephone.
...
>I speak from 'professional experience' as well as personal. I have had
>five miscarriages, two with D7C, three without. One of the times that I
>did not have a D&C I *should* have and suffered serious complications
>such as a severe uterine infection. I recovered but am mindful that my
>fertility could well have been permanently affected by the infection
![[ Pregnancy & Birth Forum ]](/pregnancy-birth/pnb_forum_L.gif)