My Terrifying D&C Procedure: What I Wish I Knew
add_circle Pros
- The medical team was super supportive and understanding, which helped calm my nerves a bit.
- The hospital room was filled with other women who were going through the same thing, and we all tried to support each other.
- The procedure itself was over pretty quickly, which was a relief.
- The doctor explained everything to me in detail, so I knew what was happening every step of the way.
- I was able to get some rest after the procedure, which helped with the recovery process.
- The medication they gave me helped with the pain, and I was able to manage it pretty well.
remove_circle Cons
- The anxiety leading up to the procedure was suffocating, and I was terrified of what was to come.
- The initial tests and exams were super uncomfortable and invasive.
- I was in a lot of pain after the procedure, and the recovery process was a lot tougher than I expected.
- I had to deal with a lot of bleeding and discharge after the procedure, which was gross and uncomfortable.
- The whole experience was just really overwhelming and traumatic.
- I was surprised by how long it took to recover, and I had to take it easy for a while.
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Editor's Summary
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I got a referral to the hospital for a dilation and curettage procedure. Three weeks of non-stop bleeding had me feeling like I was losing my mind. The anxiety was suffocating, and I was terrified of what was to come. I'm sharing my harrowing experience in the hopes that it'll help others prepare for what's to come. From the initial tests to the procedure itself, I'll break down everything in detail so you know what to expect. I was in for a wild ride, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on what to expect.
Specifications
Hello everyone!
I'm sharing my harrowing experience with a D&C procedure, hoping it'll help others prepare for what's to come. Three weeks of non-stop bleeding had me feeling like I was losing my mind. My doc initially prescribed me tranexamic acid, but it didn't do the trick.
Next, I got a referral to the hospital for a stay. Let me tell you, the anxiety was suffocating. I'll break down everything in detail, so you know what to expect.
I had to rush to the hospital, so they did all the necessary tests and an ECG in the ER.
They ran a complete blood count, a coagulation test, an HIV test, a syphilis test, a hepatitis test, a urine test, and an ECG. They also did an ultrasound of my pelvic organs.
The hospital room was filled with other women, and we all tried to support each other. But, of course, there was still a lot of nervousness and anxiety.
D&C procedure reviewOn the first day, they didn't do the procedure, they just waited for the test results and had me sit in a chair.
They told me not to eat or drink anything from the morning of the next day.
The procedure itself took place around 11 am. They gave me a hospital gown and told me to take off all my jewelry and clothes. Before the procedure, I had to go to the bathroom to empty my bladder.
They called two people to come and get me, and I was shaking like a leaf.
D&C procedure review
Then, they called me into the operating room, and I had to sit down on a gynecological chair. They tied my legs down and asked if I had any allergies to medications. They inserted an IV catheter to administer the anesthesia.
D&C procedure with general anesthesiaI was given general anesthesia with propofol, and I remember tasting the medication in my mouth. After that, everything went black.
They wheeled me out of the operating room on a gurney, still lying on my stomach. Then, the nurses transferred me to my hospital bed. I don't remember anything after that.
They put ice packs on my lower abdomen and told me not to get up for two hours. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything for two hours either.
D&C procedure review, recovery
I woke up in my hospital bed, feeling like I just woke up from a nap. I wasn't nauseous or anything. I just felt weak and a bit off. I was able to speak normally, and nothing was hallucinating. But I was in a lot of pain, a sharp, stabbing pain in my lower abdomen.
The procedure itself only took around 10-12 minutes. They do a lot of procedures like this in a row, one after another.
They did the D&C procedure under the guidance of a hysteroscope (a camera).
After two hours of recovering from the anesthesia, I was allowed to get up, drink, and even eat a little bit. I was really thirsty.
Get ready with some big pads, because you'll be bleeding a lot after the procedure. I changed three pads in one night.
I recovered from the anesthesia just fine and was able to walk around the hospital, even eat dinner. But my abdomen was still in a lot of pain (worse than my period pain).
The next morning, I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor and was discharged from the hospital. The doctor's instructions were to avoid sex, lifting heavy objects, exercise, taking baths, or going to the sauna for a month.
Now, about the recovery. Some people stop bleeding within two or three days after the procedure, but my doctor said it could take up to 14 days. I bled for six days, and it didn't seem to be getting any better.
I had to go back to the clinic to see my gynecologist. They prescribed me more blood-thinning medication, pain relievers, and a water pepper tincture. It all helped to reduce the bleeding to just spotting. So, if you're still bleeding after the procedure, go see your doctor. Don't wait, or you might end up with anemia.
My lower abdomen still hurts, especially when I walk. So, after a D&C procedure, it's best to take it easy, not overexert yourself, and take care of yourself.
I'm still waiting to hear back on the biopsy results.
My takeaways: the D&C procedure was traumatic for me, both physically and emotionally. I'm glad I had general anesthesia, so I don't remember anything from the procedure. I would only recommend this procedure if other conservative treatments haven't worked.