D&C or medication

[Robyn1990]

Today I found out that I had a mc.  The doctor gave me the choice of a D&C or medication to induce the mc.  Any suggestions?  I want to get pregnant again, so I'm a little worried about scar tissue with a d&c.  How painfull is it if I do it at home?  

[adgal]

I also am so very sorry you are going through this.  I had two D&C's.  I tried the cypotec once, and it just wasn't a good experience for me.  With both of my D&C's, my losses were first trimester and I was able to try again after 1 cycle.  I also had no problem carrying and had a full term baby boy in January.  For me personally, it was the best choice.  My others happened naturally, but the bleeding had started before I was officially diagnosed. Good luck to you, and again, I am so sorry.

[beautifulgirls]

I am sorry for your loss also.  As per your questions, I don't have any stats for you but I do have personal experience.  I have M/C 3 times.  The D&C is much easier mentally if that makes sense.  As Melka said you are asleep and that to me is much easier.  The recovery time (physically) is not bad either.  And as per your question the at home is painful both physically and mentally.  I wish you the best of luck in the future and hope that you are blessed again someday soon.  And I am sorry again for your loss.

[Melka76]

I am sorry for your loss.  It really is a personal choice.  I was too numb when I heard there was no heartbeat I just wanted the baby out.  It was my immediate knee jerk reaction - I had a D&C about 2 hours after my dr appt/us.  I wanted to be asleep as I was too devestated to go through it naturally.  I had my D&C in August - cycle in September and tried in October... it was sucessful and she was born in May - she just turned 8 years old.  I wish you luck.

[Ecologic]

I have had both procedures: cytotec and D&C. Both times, my periods came back fairly quickly. I got pregnant again after the cytotec 2 cycles later but miscarried again. I got pregnant after the D&C 10 months later and this time I had a healthy baby. I had to wait 1 cycle with the D&C to try again but it's because I was carrying twins, the uterus needed more time to heal.

5 weeks is not a very big embryo, you probably can do the cytotec: it's easier as you take it home, no need to schedule a D&C/surgery. I personally had minimal bleeding and cramping with the cytotec (was for a blight ovum).

Good luck for the future!

[prettygirl87]

First let my start by saying I am sorry for your loss and I know your pain all to well may 5 they confirmed that I had a missed misscarriage I was suppose to be 13 week 2 days but the baby only measured 8 weeks 3 days so I had a D&C the procedure went well it is painless and takes about 30 minutes or less I only bled that day which was Wednesday may 12 and then had very light spotting Sunday and Monday with very mild cramps I was given two different types of pain meds a little dose and a higher dose but I only needed to takes about 3 pain pills only because they gave me an epidural so I took it for a little back discomfort but in my opinion I would go with the d&c even though you have to wait longer to ttc again I just couldn't go through the wait and seeing my baby come out dead I hope you are feeling a little better and trust me with time it does get better you are in my prayers

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

there is also the option of waiting to let the miscarriage occur naturally.  if this happens you can try again immediately on the next cycle.  And some women do seem to be more successful and fall pregnant the next cycle after a miscarriage.

[AnnieBrooke]

I wouldn't try again right after taking misoprostol or methotrexate without asking a lot of questions of the doctor about how long they stay in your system.  Maybe misoprostol is different, but methotrexate is something you really don't want to still have in your system if you are trying to conceive.

[teri1969]

as you get older i used cytotec/misoprostol and doc said start as soon as the bleeding stopped to ttc.....i also was 8w and sac measured 5w...i mc on June 4 with the meds.   i will ttc after bleeding stops per doc recommendation

[gigi599]

almost all that i have found on how long to wait after misoprostol or D/C says 2 normal cycles (if you have regular 28 days cycles and they dont change after the D/C or the misoprotol) it would be 3 months

but to be sure, you should ask your DR

good luck

[gigi599]

OK atleast you have a good DR who is waiting to be sure your baby actually did stop developing before doing the D/C or giving you the medication, i have seen so many Dr  that push women to get the D/C after the first and only early ultrasound withought cheeking levels of hcg or doing a follow up u/s.

hope you get pregnant soon and have a healthy baby

good luck

[gigi599]

In the past few years, it's become more common for doctors to offer medications to manage a miscarriage when hCG results or ultrasound confirm the diagnosis of missed miscarriage or blighted ovum. This gives women an alternative to D & C or a potentially long wait for a miscarriage to begin naturally.
The most common drug used for this purpose is a drug called misoprostol (brand name Cytotec), which is labeled as an ulcer medication but has been found to be helpful in miscarriage management. Misoprostol is sometimes used in combination with mifepristone, an antiprogesterone drug that is also known as Mifeprex or RU486. Another possibility is gemeprost, but this drug may involve more severe side effects in some cases.
Doctors may also use medication to end confirmed ectopic pregnancies that are not posing an imminent risk to the woman's health, but the drug in this case is usually methotrexate.
Misoprostol in the First Trimester
Medical management of miscarriage makes the most sense in cases where the miscarriage is confirmed but the bleeding has not yet started. The doctor prescribes one or more medications that cause the cervix to dilate and the uterine lining to shed. This medication may be oral or vaginal depending on the specific protocol. The miscarriage bleeding usually begins within a day or two after administration of the drug and progresses similarly to a natural miscarriage. Side effects of the drugs can include pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
According to research, the success rate for completing a miscarriage after using misoprostol is roughly 75 to 85% and the majority of women who choose medical management are satisfied with the choice when interviewed later.
Risks of using medication to expedite a miscarriage (rather than having a D & C) are about the same as the risks of miscarrying naturally. There's a small chance of hemorrhage, infection, and needing a D & C later on if tissue remains in the uterus. Obviously a D & C carries some small risks also, so the choice is individual -- except in those cases where medical emergency necessitates a D & C. Length of bleeding for a medically induced miscarriage is about the same as for a miscarriage that happens without intervention (about two weeks).
Not every doctor offers medical management for first-trimester miscarriages at this time, but many do. If you have been diagnosed with a miscarriage and have not yet made a treatment decision, talk to your doctor if you want to explore medical management of miscarriage. These medications should be used only with a physician's supervision.

TTC AFTER METHOTREXATE
The information we were given was to wait 3 months before trying again. The reasons were that, methotrexate affects the folic acid in your system, so there are chances for problems if you conceive again too soon. Your not supposed to start taking folic acid again until after your first period as your body cannot metabolise it, and it can cause problems. So once you have had your first period, you can start taking it again, but you need to ensure you have been taking it for a few weeks. So three months or after two periods.
I really hope this helps, and i hope you get your little baby soon. We are gonna start trying again next week, so fingers crossed for both of us.

When can I start trying to conceive again after my D & C?
Other Qs & As

Question
I recently had a D & C (dilatation and curettage) and I was wondering amount of time should be allowed between that procedure and trying to get pregnant again?
Answer
There is no 'allowed' time. The D & C removes the lining of the womb and it has to re-grow in order to be able to accept a fertilised egg. This will happen within one monthly cycle.
The best advice is to wait until you have had two periods after the D & C. That way, you know your system has returned to normal and when you get pregnant, you have a better idea of when it occurred, which helps predict the date you are due more accurately.




I REALLY DON’T KNOW SO I GUESS YOU WILL HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR DR TO SEE WHAT HE RECCOMENDS IN ORDER TO TTC FASTER AND HOW LONG TO WAIT.


IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS HOPE YOU GET A HEALTHY BABY REALLY SOON.  

[Robyn1990]

I went in yesterday.  They will also do one more u/s before they give meds or do the d&c.

[mi_amorcito]

I am sorry for your loss

[gigi599]

i just read your other post, did you go for the second u/s today??

[Robyn1990]

I'm 8w5d today, but the doctor said I measured 5w.  I'm possitive of how far along I should be, so I believe the baby stopped developing around 5w.  I want to ttc again asap.  I wonder if I can try sooner if I do the medication or the d&c......That would prob help make my decision easier.  

[gigi599]

it deppends on how far along you where, i had a misscarriage at 10 weeks and it was really painfull  i went to the hospital cause i was having really bad contractions and  really near also i was bleeding so heavily that the blood when i was layng down ran up to my neck and when i went to the bathroom i pushed out the placenta and i was also throwing up allot, they  gave me some demerol in the hospital wich calmed the pain then the doctor cheked me and i was already dilatated and had a D/C with general anestisia that day.

misscarriages are not that bad on everybody and i guess every misscariage is different too.

anyway i think i would try the medication and i also think the chances of scarring with d/c is really low.

im so sorry your going through this, i know how bad it is?

how far along are you???

[seattleview]

Hi Robyn.  First, I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.  Secondly, I had methotrexate injections for an ectopic last year and it was extremely traumatic for me.  I referred to the injections as "the death shot". :(  I know that isn't helpful, sorry.  I would imagine that a D&C would be just as, if not more traumatic.  I've heard stories about people having to go back and do a second one because not all the tissue was removed the first time.  I actually had to have a second round of methotrexate injections as well and the whole thing just made me miserable.  Do you know anyone who has been through either?  I think it's good you posted this question here so you can read different experiences and opinions.  I'm sure there will be lots of people on both sides so in the end it's really going to come down to what you're most comfortable with.  Best of luck to you.