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12-22-2012 at 3:34 PM
bryandmitc...
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Joined on 12-25-2008
Tampa, Florida
361 Points
bryandmitch is not online. Last active: 01-29-2013, 5:00 PMNewbie

Has anyone had a D and E?

I found out yesterday at 17w3d that our baby has hydrops, and a very large cystic hygroma.  We are choosing to terminate after our doctor told us the baby will probably expire before I get much further.  I am having a D and E on Wednesday or Thursday, and wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this?  It's like a D and C but a little more complicated because of the advancement of pregnancy.  Any info would be great.  
 
12-22-2012 at 3:48 PM
alysonjill
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alysonjill is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 1:21 PMBronze

I am so incredibly sorry that you are in this position :( My thoughts go out to you in your loss. I had what they considered to be a D&E at 9 weeks, but I believe it was a D&E (not D&C) because I had not passed any tissue or had any bleeding beforehand. They explained to me that its basically the same procedure, but they are removing all of the "tissue of conception", rather than just removing what remains after having some previous bleeding.

I am not sure if everything would be the same based on how far along you are, but the procedure was relatively easy physically. I arrived about an hour before my schedule surgery time and they did all the pre-op stuff; vitals, started an IV line, asked questions... Once all of that was done, DH was allowed to come back and sit with me as we waited for the anesthesiologist. They asked me a bunch more questions and then administered the IV w/drugs. Within 30 seconds I became loopy and vaguely remember being wheeled into the OR. Next thing I know, I was waking up in the first recovery room. I believe I was in recovery for about an hour or so and was given some juice and crackers. Before I was allowed to leave the hospital, they needed me to pee (which stung when I did it- but that is normal they say).

The rest of the evening I layed on the couch and had virtually little to no pain. Some women do experience cramping for a few days. My bleeding was very minimal, though my OB said I could bleed for a week or two. I was instructed to abstain from sex or using tampons for 2 weeks, though some OBs say 4 weeks.

Physically the whole process is not much to worry about, though emotionally it can be draining. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. The women on this board are incredibly helpful and supportive, so certainly reach out with any other questions you have. Many hugs to you! 


10/24/2012: BFP#1 EDD 7/3/13, missed m/c @ 9 weeks, D&E procedure DX: Septate Uterus. Awaiting further surgery on May 14th to remove the rest of the septum
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12-22-2012 at 3:53 PM
bryandmitc...
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Joined on 12-25-2008
Tampa, Florida
361 Points
bryandmitch is not online. Last active: 01-29-2013, 5:00 PMNewbie
Thank you for telling me all that.  I think that does sound the same, except they will require that I go in the day before and have medicine inserted into my birth canal to soften the cervix for the procedure the next day.  I'm more nervous about that part than the actual procedure, I think just because I won't have any drugs on board for that.  
 
12-22-2012 at 4:27 PM
CameroonKa...
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Joined on 05-25-2008
Arlington, VA
3,643 Points
CameroonKate is online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 6:34 PMNewbie
You can request a muscle relaxer when you arrive at their office while they prepare to insert the medicine into your cervix.  It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but having someone in with you helps. 


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12-22-2012 at 4:29 PM
ball.and.c...
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22,309 Points
ball.and.chain is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 4:34 PMBronze

I'm so sorry.  I also had a D&E although I was only 8 weeks.  I wasn't sure exactly what the difference was so thank you to PP for explaining the difference. 

My experience was very similar to PP's.  Physically, it was not a big deal.  I felt a little crampy when I woke up from anesthesia, but not too much.  I had light bleeding and some cramping (less intense than during my period) for about 8 days after the procedure. It has now been 9 days and it seems to have slowed to spotting.


Married my wife 8/2007 *** TTC #1 since 7/2011
4 IUIs w/ midwives = 4 BFNs
5 IUIs w/ an RE = 5 BFNs
IVF October/November 2012
ER 11/1: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized!
ET 11/6: 1 blast transferred, 5 frozen
BFP 11/15! Beta #1: 104 Beta #2: 613 Beta #3: 3415
Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E 12/13
FET 1 cancelled
FET 1.1: ET 4/30: 1 blast transferred
BFP 5/7! Beta #1: 142 Beta #2: 730 Beta #3: 3100
*Everyone welcome*

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12-23-2012 at 10:10 AM
marylauren...
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Joined on 08-31-2012
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marylaurena is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 2:30 PMBronze
I commented on your post on the loss board. I was in a very similar situation as you and had a de at 19 weeks plus my baby's head was measuring several weeks ahead of that due to the hydrocephalous. I was freaking out before but I can honestly tell you it was very easy physically. The laminaria insertion the day before was prob the worst part and even that wasn't too bad. It was more uncomfortable than painful if that makes any sense and it is over in an instant.
I was out for the procedure itself and has very little pain afterwards. They'll give you a shot immediately afterwards and that really nipped the pain out. I bled that day and then didn't bleed for about 4 days and then bled for about 2 weeks like a light period.
One thing you need to be warned about, your milk may come in and that sucks. If that happens you can buy some cabbage leaves to help with the swelling and wear a tight sports bra and it will stop in a few days.
I think the main difference in the de and dc is for the e they use an ultrasound to make sure all the tissue is out since the baby is so "large".
So so sorry to hear your story. The emotional toll you are already going thru is soooo much worse than the procedure. It's a very hard road but being a month out I am seeing new healing each week and actually finding peace and comfort. Hugs hugs hugs!

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4/1/13 BFP- 5/6/13 MMC (8 weeks)

All ALers welcome. 
12-23-2012 at 3:27 PM
bryandmitc...
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Joined on 12-25-2008
Tampa, Florida
361 Points
bryandmitch is not online. Last active: 01-29-2013, 5:00 PMNewbie
Thank you marylauren...that does make me feel so much better.  Honestly, I know this sounds awful, but I'm just ready to get this going, and get it over with so I can move on.  I've been so so lucky to be dealing with awesome doctors. I just found out about an hour ago that my procedure will be Wednesday morning.  Just finding that out is giving me some comfort.  Being idle like this is excruciating.  Given the fact that it's Christmas, I feel lucky I could coordinate everything this quickly!  
 
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