D&C (Dilation And Curettage) Procedure

There are several reasons why a D & C would be recommended by your physician. In addition to cleaning out a molar pregnancy, a D & C is often used to investigate why a woman is experiencing irregular bleeding in between her menstrual periods, during a normal menstrual period or after menopause. After a miscarriage, or after delivering a child, some placental or fetal tissue may be left inside the uterus. This can cause heavy bleeding, thus necessitating a D & C.

A D & C procedure is considered a routine and safe minor surgery which is usually performed as an outpatient surgery in a hospital or clinic. The procedure usually takes anywhere from five to ten minutes. Before the surgery, an anesthesiologist will administer a general anesthetic. The "D" portion of a D & C stands for dilation. A physician will dilate (enlarge) the cervix (entry point of the uterus). The "C" portion of a D & C stands for curettage (scraping). A thin surgical instrument is inserted into the uterus in order to suction or scrape the uterine lining and retrieve samples of tissue.

After a D & C procedure is performed, recovery is quick. Because you will be given an anesthetic that day, you will need to have somebody drive you home after the procedure. More than likely, you will be tired the rest of that day and will want to take it easy the following day as well. It is recommended that the patient wear a pad (not a tampon) for the following days because irregular bleeding after a D & C is common.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with a D & C, although they are quite rare. If a woman who was recently pregnant has a D & C, there is a chance that a hole can be made in the uterine wall due to the softening of it during a pregnancy. If a D & C fails to take out all tissue and some is still left in the uterus, it may pass on its own, or it may cause heavy bleeding and infection. Some things to watch out for after a D & C procedure include heavy clotted bleeding, severe pain in the lower abdomen and a high fever. If you experience any of these symptoms after having a D & C procedure, call your physician, or get medical attention immediately.