No heartbeat 12 w, what to expect with D&C?

I was 18 weeks pregnant when I had an emergency D&C. I was put to sleep via general anesthesia. Not much pain afterward besides period-like cramps that was on and off. I had some bleeding for a few days then spotting for a few weeks after.

I honestly do not remember if I still looked pregnant or not after. My miscarriage was traumatic, and didn't even process the loss till a few days after it happened.

I wish you a fast recovery and healing from this difficult situation. 😔

I just had a D&E yesterday morning, so I can’t answer much.

You need someone to drive you home after surgery due to the anesthesia. The anesthesia was very easy, they pushed it in and I remember thinking the blood pressure cuff was cold and then I blinked and woke up after it was done back in my head recovery room. I will say, i woke up crying really badly. I wasn’t in much pain, but VERY emotional. The nurse told me she was going to stay with me the whole time until my husband got back (he ran to get bagels for us on the car ride home) she gave me 2 glasses of juice, ice water, and graham crackers. The juice and water was great, since you can’t eat or drink after midnight the day of your surgery and I was so thirsty.

After I stopped crying, I did notice that I had some cramps. They gave me a lot of heated blankets because I was shaking probably from the emotional and physical shock of it all.

I had actually started bleeding naturally the night before, just spotting then a light flow and was terrified id have to pass before surgery (they found the MMC at 13 weeks after a perfect 8+5 scan and heartbeat. It died the day after my scan). My surgeon said my surgery was JUST in time, I was about to pass it, but that the bleeding the night before made her job and the surgery a lot quicker. ETA: since I was starting to experience naturally passing before the surgery, I just want to tell you the post op cramps hurt significantly LESS than the naturally passing cramps. After the surgery, your uterus is contracting to shrink back down, as depressing as that is, but it is less painful. And less emotionally painful I found too.

They give you pads, you definitely will need them. You need them for the car ride and at home, and the cramps will hurt like bad menstrual cramps, but I was told I won’t need anything stronger than an extra strength Tylenol and Advil. Don’t push it when you get home. You might think you can move around normally, but I found so far in the past 24 hours moving/standing/walking makes the cramping and bleeding worse, so you lay wherever you feel comfiest and have someone care for you for as long as you need. Blast yourself with the heating pads, its helping. As for what kind of pads/how many, I got home at 11a yesterday and just put on my 13th pad. I’m using the super absorbent extra long airplane landing strip ones to make sure no leakage. I haven’t filled all of them completely, but you don’t want to sit in old blood for too long as you’re more prone to infections for a little while.

This sucks. It really does, but you are most certainly not alone.

I do want to warn you about one thing though: as soon as you get home take some fiber or magnesium/stool softeners. The first poop is horrific, or was for me. It got stuck halfway out and hurt 😂 so you need some help in getting it moving along. Drink lots of water, rest, cry if you need to, watch trashy shows, eat some chocolate. Lots of love and support to you.

I’m so sorry for your loss. All the other advice here is great, I just wanted to add to try to take it easy for a few days afterward even if you feel okay. I spent the days after my d&c painting my house to keep myself busy and ended up passing bigger clots and bleeding more heavily after mine because I didn’t rest enough. Take care of yourself as best as you can!

Your story is very similar to mine. I feel your heartbreak. The procedure itself was the easiest part for me. I was under general anesthesia and woke up in the recovery room with it all done and in minimal pain. My care team was wonderful. I was in the recovery room for about an hour - they had me drinking water and eating crackers - before heading for home. They sent me home with a few pads (and I had one on after the procedure) and heating packs, which I used on my ride home. For me the real bleeding didn’t start for a few days so I’d wear pads just in case. I used my heating pad and ibuprofen for cramping and that was just for a few days. The thing I didn’t know to expect were the postpartum symptoms like night sweats. I slept on a towel. I also second the fiber/stool softener.

I still have a little belly pooch - you’ll likely feel bloated for a bit afterwards.

Go easy on yourself. This is terrible and hard. Treat yourself like a best friend would. Rest and recovery are important and let yourself feel all of the feelings - your husband, too. Mine was trying to be strong for me and I reminded him it’s his loss, too. And it is such a tremendous loss. Talk about your baby with your husband whenever either of you feels like it. They were loved and they matter.

I’m so sorry for your loss. It feels so awful to be “in the clear” and then fall on the wrong side of statistics. You can do this. One minute at a time.

I’m so sorry.

I recommend disposable underwear rather than pads. The Amazon brand Solimo worked well for me and were comfortable. You’ll probably want to sleep the rest of the day and take it easy the next day. You’ll feel a little sore for a day or two but I really didn’t use any pain relief after the first two days. I bled slightly for 5 days but nothing too heavy.

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