[MeganMomof5]

What's the difference between a D&C and a D&E? I thought I had a D&C, but my medical records said it was a D&E...Just curious if any one knows

[mom2njia]

A D&E is typically done in the second trimester, its a dilation and evacuation. A D&C is for the first trimester, and usually uses a vacuum or suction.

[amychristian]

The "C" in D&C is sort of a misnomer. The OB/GYN who performed my D&C told me that they use "vacuum aspiration," which is not a "dilation and curettage." Vacuum aspiration has become way more common than the former method used. The term "D&C" sort of got grandfathered in.

I had to be dilated overnight but it was still done using vacuum aspiration. He doesn't use curettes unless absolutely necessary (like if the aspiration doesn't remove everything). A D&E is where they have to forgo the aspiration and use surgical instruments to remove the contents manually.

He told me that the distinction is often made along the guidelines of gestation, but not all doctors agree on this. Some doctors draw the line at 11 weeks and other will draw the line at 12 or even 13 depending on their capabilities. It get trickier in the second trimester. Some doctors will call any procedure that uses vacuum aspiration a D&E, though, even if it's done in the first trimester. That's becoming more common. Very few doctors use curettes anymore. They can scar.

Here is some more information:

Vacuum aspiration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dilation and evacuation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dilation and curettage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[martilynne]

I had a D&C for a missed m/c where the baby was measuring 7 weeks. I went into day surgery and was home a little over an hour later.

I had a D&E when my baby was 15 weeks and it was a 2 day process. I had to go in the day before to have laminaria (seaweed sticks) inserted into my cervix to begin dilation. I went in the next day for the rest of the procedure. I don't know if that is the only difference or not since I was put under. I believe once you are far enough along it can be dangerous for them to surgically dilate you too far hence the two day process.