Bleeding After D&c Stopped and Started Again
D and C (Dilation and Curettage)
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a cursory surgical procedure in which the neck is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. Knowing what to expect before, during, and afterwards a D&C may assist ease your worries and brand the process go more smoothly. Hither's what y'all need to know.
Reasons for a D&C
You may need a D&C for one of several reasons. Information technology's done to:
- Remove tissue in the uterus during or after a miscarriage or ballgame or to remove minor pieces of placenta after childbirth. This helps forestall infection or heavy bleeding.
- Diagnose or care for aberrant uterine bleeding. A D&C may aid diagnose or treat growths such as fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalances, or uterine cancer. A sample of uterine tissue is viewed under a microscope to check for abnormal cells.
What to Expect When Having a D&C
Y'all can have a D&C in your doctor's function, an outpatient clinic, or the hospital. It usually takes but x to xv minutes, only you may stay in the office, clinic, or infirmary for up to five hours.
Before a D&C, you volition accept a consummate history taken and sign a consent form. Enquire your medico whatever questions you lot have well-nigh the D&C. Be sure to tell the doctor if:
- You doubtable y'all are pregnant.
- You are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, or latex.
- Y'all have a history of haemorrhage disorders or are taking any blood-thinning drugs.
Yous will receive anesthesia, which your dr. volition discuss with you. The type y'all have depends on the procedure you need.
- If y'all have general anesthesia, you will not be awake during the procedure.
- If you lot have spinal or epidural (regional) anesthesia, you volition not have feeling from the waist down.
- If you take local anesthesia, you will be awake and the surface area around y'all cervix will be numbed.
Before the D&C, you may demand to remove vesture, put on a gown, and empty your bladder.
During a D&C, you prevarication on your back and place your legs in stirrups like during a pelvic exam. So the physician inserts a speculum into the vagina and holds the cervix in place with a clench. Although the D&C involves no stitches or cuts, the dr. cleanses the cervix with an clarified solution.
A D&C involves two main steps:
- Dilation involves widening the opening of the lower office of the uterus (the cervix) to allow insertion of an musical instrument. The doctor may insert a slender rod (laminaria) into the opening beforehand or use a medication before the procedure to soften the cervix and crusade it to widen.
- Curettage involves scraping the lining and removing uterine contents with a long, spoon-shaped musical instrument (a curette). The doctor may besides utilize a cannula to suction whatsoever remaining contents from the uterus. This can cause some cramping. A tissue sample so goes to a lab for exam.
Sometimes other procedures are performed forth with a D&C. For case, your doctor may insert a slender device to view the inside of the uterus (called hysteroscopy). They may remove a polyp or fibroid.
After a D&C, there are possible side furnishings and risks. Mutual side effects include:
- Cramping
- Spotting or light bleeding
Complications such every bit a damaged cervix and perforated uterus or bladder and blood vessels are rare. But exist certain to contact your doctor if you lot have any of the post-obit symptoms later on a D&C:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding or claret clots
- Fever
- Pain
- Abdominal tenderness
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
In very rare cases, scar tissue (adhesions) may course inside the uterus. Called Asherman's syndrome, this may cause infertility and changes in menstrual period. Surgery can repair this problem, and then be certain to report any aberrant menstrual changes afterward a D&C.
Recovery Afterwards a D&C
Afterward a D&C, you will need someone to accept you lot home. If you had general anesthesia, you may experience groggy for a while and have some brief nausea and vomiting. You lot tin can return to regular activities inside one or two days. In the meantime, ask your md about whatever needed restrictions. You may also have balmy cramping and light spotting for a few days. This is normal. You may want to vesture a sanitary pad for spotting and take pain relievers for pain.
Yous can await a change in the timing of your next menstrual menstruum. It may come up either early or late. To foreclose bacteria from entering your uterus, delay sex and use of tampons until your doctor says it's OK.
See your md for a follow-up visit and schedule any farther treatment that's needed. If whatever tissue was sent for a biopsy, ask your doctor when to expect results. They are unremarkably bachelor within several days.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/d-and-c-dilation-and-curettage