[Mauibaby]

Hello all . .. . I have never been on this board. I was 10 weeks pregnant with my first and found out last week that there was no heartbeat. The doctor said if I dont pass it on my own by next week, I would have to get a dnc. so far, i have had no cramping or spotting or anything, so I am thinking I may have to end up doing the dnc. I am terrified. I don't know how I will handle it emotionally. For those of you who have had one, please tell me what it was like. I want to know the honest truth and I want to know everything. the feelings, the sounds . .. . I just hate not having any idea what to expect. TIA . .

[Justjessie]

I had one about two months ago. Same as you, 9 week ultrasound, no heartbeat, baby measuring 6 weeks...and no sign of losing it. Never bled, nothing.

5 days after the ultrasound I had the D&C. The actual procedure wasn't bad physically, emotionally I was a wreck...who needs to go through any of that...they put an IV in (I am a TERRIBLE poke so this was painful and scary for me but I'd have had to go through it all if I delivered anyway) and they put a breathing tube in while I was out...and I had a sore throat for about a week.

When I got to the hospital they took me away from DH to get me prepped for about an hour. I cried through the whole thing. The nurses were very nice and understanding that I didn't want to be there. Unfortunately they send a nurse out to get me who was 8 months pregnant. Not very nice, I'm afraid. But she was nice, too. Finally they let DH in and the doc came in. I REQUESTED ANXIETY MEDS because I have panic disorder and they have them to me. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. I also don't react well to anesthesia so I told them that and they gave me pills before the surgery to help after.

I woke up from surgery, layed there for a few minutes, they came over and saw how I was doing, let me get dressed and leave. DH and I stopped to pick up some soup on the way home and I slept for the rest of the day.

My body was very tired and I was sad for about a week.

After the surgery my back hurt (uterus contracting) and I bled for maybe 5 days (light spotting) and that was it. 27 days later I started my period.

Once I got my next period, I felt very much back to normal.

Good luck.

[mommy x 10]

I had a similar experience. I was 10weeks 4days and went for a regular appt and found out my baby didn't have a heartbeat and was only measuring 7 weeks 3 days. It was a shock since we had seen the heartbeat a month before. I found out on a Tuesday and had the d&c on a Friday. Got there and they let dh stay with me the whole time. My mom also came and they let her come in after they got finished taking my medical history. The tried to start the IV in the room I was in but the person wasn't great at it and decided to let the anesthesia person do it. Before they wheeled me back they gave me some meds to relax me but I didn't really notice. Then they came to take me back to surgery and I cried. I had cried a few other times. Everyone was super nice. In the OR they were really nice, gave me a very warm blanket and started sticking the monitors on me, got my iv in easily and then put a mask on me and I drifted off to sleep. Woke up in recovery and was very emotional. I could hear but and remember things but was out of it. I was so sad and as soon as I realized I was awake I started crying but they were so nice and comforting and quickly gave me something to help me calm down which I did feel. Then they took me back to the room I started in where dh and my mom were waiting. I had to eat, drink and go to the bathroom and be able to walk before I could go home. The doc gave me prescription for some pain meds and I went home. The next day a card came in the mail from the staff and several of the nurses signed it.

They said they could have not put me to sleep but thought it would be best so I would have to hear everything. I could just go to sleep and wake up and it be over. I'm glad it was like that. It was very hard for awhile, but it gradually has gotten easier. I still have some hard days but it is much better than it was.

[missy123]

I was almost 8 weeks when we found out. I don't have health insurance so I ended up going to a clinic instead of the hospital to save money. I went in, they took tons of paperwork, did an U/S just to make sure did some bloodwork... They gave me the option of going to sleep or getting some pills to relax. I chose to stay awake. I waited about 45 minutes and I didnt feel "relaxed" so they gave me another dose. I was awake during the procedure, it took about 10 minutes and I cried. It did not hurt physically, it was all emotional. Took me to recovery and gave me cookies. Then the meds kicked in (after the fact, how ironic) and my BF came and helped carry me out to the car. I was all drugged up and slept the rest of the day.

The D&C part wasn't scary or painful.... It was the emotional healing that took a long time. I suggest you hang out in the pregnancy loss board. It is a good place to help heal. I don't know what I would have done without the girls there....

I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier for you.

[Kary♥RN]

I am so sorry for your loss hugs... I had a D/E last Feb 6th... I was 8 1/2 weeks. I had went in and was told my baby had lost her heartbeat.

I went into the hospital at about 730 am.. They let my dh come back with me.. they had me get into a gown, I had to take off all jewlrey, I had to put on a surgical cap. They they started an IV. Anesestia came in and talked to me, asked last min questions. All this was happening in the "Same day Surgery, area".. I had a private room (But I work at the hospital)... All others were in little curtained areas. My DH went out and let my mom see me before I went in, than DH came back in mins before they wheeled me into the waiting room for the OR.
I was in the "holding area"... The Nurse Anestatist (sp).. came over and gave me something to relax. Then my OB came in and asked how I was.. and it was time. They wheeled me in to the OR... My OB helped me slide over... He held my hand while telling me everything was going to be all right, and I was going to be alright... that was the last thing I remember....

I woke up in recovery... it took me a few mins to get my wits... but when I did.. I felt numb...Like I knew it was over.. and didn't know how to feel. I had a week in between when I found out we lost the H/B and by the time I had the d/e. So they asked if I wanted something for pain.. but I didn't have pain so I said no. They said ok.. we are going to take you back to the Same day surgery area. All the Staff was GREAT!...

Once I was wheeled back the Surgery area... they gave me toast w/jam and some tea. They checked to make sure I wasn't bleeding (to much).. Took off the Surgical stockings they had put on during Surgery. They let my dh and my mom back... they took out the IV... gave me the discharge instructions and my script for pain meds... They than let me get dressed... While I got dressed.. I had a small spot of blood on the pad...

I got home... I was tired, but not to bad. I was no longer feeling sick... as soon as I woke up in the PACU all the Morning sickness was gone. All pregnancy symptoms were allmost gone by Sat morning.. (the next day).... I woke up Sat... and still no bleeding... I called my Dr.. I wa worried.. that I wasn't bleeding. He said that was totaly normal, and was good. That meant he got everything. It took 35 days for AF to show...

Physicaly.. it wasn't bad... it was emotional and mental parts of the d/e, that was hard... HUGS

[daisyjay2]

so sorry that youre going through this. it is horrible. we lost our baby at 10 weeks also and my dr told me the same thing. i had a week to pass it then she recommended the dnc. i, too, never had any cramping or bleeding, and ended up having the dnc exactly a week later. honestly, for me, i really wanted to get it over with so i was glad i didnt pass it on my own. the actual dnc was very easy and painless physically. my nurse was great and i was and when i woke up in recovery i had no pain at all. my husband took me home and the worst part of it physically was that i felt so nausiated from the anesthesia when i got home. a good nap helped that. i had no cramping and little bleeding for about a week after. i ovulated 14 days exactly after the dnc and got my period 12 days after i o'd so that was a positive. good luck to you and it really isn't bad. the emotional part is the worst. oh, and fyi, i got to the hospital at 10am, dnc at 11am and was sent home by 130.

[mafiamom]

i am so sorry you are having to go thru this. i know how painful it is to lose a baby.

i had a natural miscarriage so i have no advice to offer, but i wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers and that i am so sorry you are suffering.

~huge hugs~

[jjc99]

Maui - i'm so sorry you're going through this. I won't lie- it sucks. But it does get better - with time. And love from family and friends.

I had a blighted ovum. At my Nov 30 u/s, my OB said she wanted me in the following week to be 100% sure then discuss my options, but on Dec 2, I started to bleed a bit. Had the surgery on the 4th. I knew since my first appt on Nov 19 that something was wrong, so I thought I had grieved enough leading up to it. Appearently, I hadn't.

I checked in to the hospital at 5am (7am was my procedure). Got up to the pre-op patient room, with DH. Changed into the gown, socks, etc. I got to watch a bit of tv while waiting to be taken to the OR.

A little bit before 7, I was wheeled down to the pre-op prep room. DH had to go to the surgery waiting area. Waiting in this pre-op area was interesting at first, then it sucked. It was interesting just looking around and thinking "this doesn't look like what i see on tv". What sucked was the 3-6 different people asking me what i was in for and me having to say over and over "a D&C"...how far along are you?..."9weeks, 2 days". Some people were nice, some were "cold" (Penn State T-shirt wearing chick ticked me off). I cried several times. One nurse was very nice and helpful, holding my hand, etc. They gave me some med to help relax - it worked, until the next person had to ask the questions... Finally, they took me into the OR, where I started to cry all over again. My OB held my hand until I fell asleep.

I woke up in the same room as right before, just a different corner. Don't be surprised if you wake up naked, with a blanket covering you, as that's what happened to me. The nurse/tech guy re-dressed me, including putting on the weird panty things, but I didn't care about the naked part, as I was all drugged up. I started having some cramping, but they gave me meds to help with that. I think I cried again. It was all emotional - not physical.

I was rolled up to my recovery room and DH was brought up to my room shortly after I got there. I think I started to cry again, apologizing to DH. Keep in mind, crying is a very common "side effect" coming out of anesthesia, especially for women (I cried when I came out of it after my wisdom teeth!). So, I know some of it was that, but some of it was legit emotion. I watched some tv, but slept mostly. I had to pee before they would let me go. Once i figured that out, I had to pee! I did so, then got dressed and went home. I was probably there a little longer than originally planned cuz I slept so much in the recovery.

When I got home, I slept off an on. By the evening, I felt physically better. I never had any bleeding beyond that actual day. I was given some Tylenol 3, but never had to take it.

I was emotional from time to time for a week or so after. I thought I was fine, until Christmas. I won't go into the story, but know that i had a meltdown. But I think I needed that meltdown, as I've been emotionally SOOO much better since.

don't be surprised with sticker shock when the bills come in. I'm dealing with that now. I haven't talked to them yet...but i will. I have about 5-6 different bills - lab work, OR bill, anesthesia bill, OB bill, etc etc It's probably around $600, for something that cost 8-10k. (I have pretty decent ins.)

But just know that we have all been there. Don't be surprise how you act, react, don't act, etc. Every woman is different. But it's all normal. And we are here for you.

[JesSsica]

For me, I went in for what I thought was going to be a routine visit with a 12 week u/s. Unfortunately my baby measured 10 wks 2 days and there was no h/b. I was devastated. I had my dh and my two kids with me which made it that much more sad that my kids had to see me upset.

I told the doctor I absolutely did not want to pass the baby naturally. I wanted no pain. I did not want to see it. He scheduled a D&C for that following Monday (this was a Thursday). I found the weekend prior to my surgery to be emotionally awful. No bleeding, no cramping, just sad. I just kept praying that I wouldn't go into labor.

I found my surgery day to be a relief. I wanted it to be over and behind me. My surgery would bring that. The day of surgery was easy, sad but true. The nurse was great, my doctor was great, and I felt no pain. They gave me pain meds and I never needed even one. I felt nothing. I took that following day off of work too just because I felt like being alone and not facing everyone's sympathy at work.

The bad part, like Angela, I had a nurse post-op who wasn't 8 months pregnant like hers, but newly pregnant and she apologized for looking green because her morning sickness was really kicking in strong. I just remember thinking, "You should look at my chart and see what I just went through..."

Anyway, what I'm saying is the surgery was very easy to go through and emotionally, for me, it brought closure. I had a few bad days after where it would just catch up to me for no reason, but overall I felt cleansed and got closure from it.

I'm so sorry for your loss....

[j&jmom]

I just had a miscarriage and am currently bleeding. I have to go back to the doctors in a couple weeks to get my hcg levels tested again. Hopefully I will not have to have a dnc. I just want this whole thing to be over!

[ma2b2010]

I'm so sorry for your loss *hugs*. I was 8 wks when I found out there was no heartbeat, nothing but a black gaping hole. I waited a week just in case a miracle would happen, but luck just wasn't on my side. I decided to get a d&c at 9 wks.

I did it on a Friday so that I could take time off work. My husband was at my side. I was doing well on the drive to the hospital. After I changed into my hospital outfit and laid down, it became a reality and I began to lose it. Luckily my husband was at my side to hold my hand and wipe away my tears. I wouldn't have been able to make it w/o his love and support.

The nurse had to put the IV into my arm which was uncomfortable... Honestly, that was the most uncomfortable part of the whole d&c process... lol... I just absolutely hate needles... Afterwards, I waited a half hour and the nurse came to wheel me in. Unfortunately, my husband couldn't come with me. I waved goodbye to my husband and I was wheeled into a waiting area where the anesthesiologist (sp??) looked at my papers and such. After approx 15 mins of waiting (and weeping uncontrollably), my doc showed up and greeted me. It was time.

I was wheeled into the operating room and of course, I was nervous and at the same time, reality really hit and I was overcome with emotion. My anesthesiologist was amazing and she tried to comfort me and offer something to help me relax. I refused any unnecessary meds and waited as they moved me onto the operating bed. Next thing you know, I closed my eyes and after what seemed like seconds, I woke up and found myself in the resting room. Wow, I was expecting my anesthesiologist to do a countdown before putting me to sleep (like in the movies and on TV).. lol... but I'm kinda glad she didn't.

Anyway, after the surgery, there was some slight discomfort. I remember feeling some pressure in my uterus. However, there was no pain. The nurses were super nice and they offered me light refreshments.. A few minutes later, my dear dear husband showed up and again, held my hand and he was just amazing amazing amazing... Surprisingly, I was in very good spirits and just wanted to go home. However, I believe you have to rest at least an hour prior to release (which I was knocked out for the most part)... also, the nurse told me to urinate before leaving. So I got up (which was a bit uncomfortable) and went to the bathroom. Again, there was slight discomfort urinating, but there was no pain. There was a bit of spotting.... but I have to say I felt pretty good. Also, the nurse will give you these SUPER huge maxi pads... which I didn't find necessary since I didn't bleed all that much.. in fact, I spotted for the first couple days.

Afterwards, they took the IVs out of my arm and put me into a wheelchair so that I didn't have to walk to the car... which is very important. I found out how important this was when we got home and I had to walk to my apartment. I felt a LOT of pain (as if my uterus was going to explode) if I stood up or walked around for more than 5 seconds that day! I could barely walk up a flight of stairs.. once I got into the house, I laid in bed, and the pain subsided. It's very important that you get bed rest after your d&c.

At home, I rested in bed. My husband fetched me dinner and I never had to get up unless I had to go to the bathroom. On day 2, I laid in bed all day. On day 3, I got up and walked around... and found I couldn't walk around for more than 15 mins. Again, I would experience really bad pressure in my uterus and so I had to lay in bed. Everyone's different. There were nights where I experienced severe cramping due to the uterus contracting back to its normal size. This was bearable pain for me. I didn't feel the need to take any pain killers.

Anyway, for me, it was a week of spotting and then during week 2, I had a heavier flow and passed 3 enormous blood clots towards the end.. which is a good thing. I was fully recovered by the end of week 2. Overall, my d&c experience was good. I was lucky to have a wonderful husband at my side, and a facility full of wonderful doctors and nurses.

As everyone else said, it was more of an emotional experience, than physical.... Make sure you have your husband or loved one with you at your side for support. Good luck and best wishes!

[wildchihuahua]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. It's not a fun club to belong to. My missed AB was discovered at 10 3/7 weeks, baby measuring 6 weeks, no heartbeat. Had D&C the next week. Details are similar to what everyone else put. They gave me my sedating med (versed) in the pre-op area, so I don't remember the OR at all. They also gave me the option of full sedation or having a spinal, but I wanted to be asleep. I had no pain, and just went home and slept the rest of the day. Went back to work the next day for 1/2 day because I was tired of sitting at home thinking about what had happened. Overall, it was easy physically but rough emotionally. Good luck! <hugs!>

[noworries]

Mauibaby - I don't know if you posted on the August DDC and I just missed it but I wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss. I've never had a D&C but wanted you to know that I'm saying a prayer for you.

[taralyn]

Hey Hun,
I had a D&C last February and my experience was alot like all of the other ladies here. I was terrified because I had never had any sort of surgery before, but it was all very easy. I think I was at the outpatient hospital for maybe 2 hours all together, the actual procedure only took about 20 mintues and once I woke up they let me go home with DH. I was never even really that sore, I just had some mild AF type cramps. The first day I just kind of chilled out since I felt a little weird from being put under, but I think I went on a walk the next day. So like alot of people have said, physically it wasn't bad at all, emotionally it took a little longer to get over.

Good luck hun and I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Kking2824]

Im very sorry for you loss. I know what its like to loose your first. I still feel your pain. If i cant help just message me!

I lost my first in Sept. I was 9 and half weeks and i had pressure so i went in to the doc and they couldnt find a heartbeat and the baby was measuring a week behind. They gave me the option to wait it out a week or to go ahead and have the DNC. I told them i needed to think it over. I got home and cried for hours and hours and got in a warm bath and decided i couldnt wait. I wanted to get it over with so i could begin to try again. I went in te hospital and they do all your paperwork and put you in ur room for prep. I cried and cried. The whole process is quite depressing. It took about an hr and half before they came and got me but i only rem being wheeled into the room and the doctor trying to talk to me and i passed out. I woke up back in the same room they came in gave my husband my perscriptions and sent us on our way. I went back in the next week for a check up and everything was fine. I hope this helps

[simplysusie]

I'm so sorry that you have to go thru this. I found out I had a blighted ovum on Dec 3 during a first ultrasound at 9 weeks. The doctor wanted to wait a week to rescan on Dec 9. During that time I was still experiencing all the symptoms of pregnancy and wanted to believe so badly that everything was ok and the baby was hiding due to my tilted uterus. Over the course of the week wait My betas started to drop and on the morning of my second ultra sound Dec. 9 I started to gush blood and have severe cramping. They did the ultrasound and confirmed the blighted ovium and by 5pm I was at the hospital being admitted to have the Dnc.
It was really quick getting to the hospital and going into the operating room it didn't leave much time to think about the situation. When I was just coming out of the anasetic it all hit me. I was groggy and crying and had alot of cramping. They put a heated blanket on my stomach and gave me some pain medication and moved me to the recovery room. I slipped in and out of sleep for about an hour until I was woken up with people talking at the foot of my bed. Now I swear you will not believe what I am going to tell you but it is the absolute truth and not in any way funny.
I woke up to the voices of a group of christmas carolers that had come into the room. They sang the song Silent Night and all I could do was lay in the bed and cry. I was outraged that they would let people in the recovery room of a hospital and to sing a song about a woman with her baby made me so upset. My parents were in the waiting room just outside the door and could not believe the insensitivy of the hospital staff. When I was getting ready to leave the nurse apoligized but i will never be able to hear that song again and not think about what I had been through.
I had very little bleeding more spotting for 7-10 days. I was extremly sore when I moved and it was painful to apply pressure to pee but it may have to do with having a tilted uterus.
I had my first period on Jan 8th and I am waiting this week for my second.
It feels like a million years since then yet emotionally it was yesterday.
My thoughts are with you.
Hugs
Susie