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Pregnancy  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Period after D&C
Answered by
Keith Downing, MD - Obstetrics, Gynecology
MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding pregnancy issues such as: Alcohol/Drugs, Bleeding, Caesarean Section, Childbirth, Diabetes, Depression, Fetal Monitoring, Genetic Testing, Hormonal Changes, Labor, Lamaze, Morning Sickness, Nutrition, Parenting, Prenatal Care, Weight gain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Period after D&C

by waiting21, Apr 19, 2008 03:28PM
Hi-
I had a D&C in November, but as it turns out, there was remaining tissue, so I had another D&C on March 7th.  I have still not gotten my period.  Last weekend I had period-like cramps and I have had bad headaches off and on over the last two weeks.  I thought I was getting my period, but I have had nothing.  What could be the cause of these cramps if no period came?  Could it be that my body was trying to have a period but there was no lining to shed?  

Also, my doctor said I should wait 3 full cycles before trying to conceive again.  Is this necessary?  And could I count this last non-period as one cycle anyway?

Thank you!
Doctor's Answer

by Keith Downing, MD, Apr 25, 2008 02:10PM
Hello,

Yes, you should probably wait at least two cycles before trying to conceive.  But regarding your absence of menses.  See what happens over the next month.  If you don't have your menses return I'd be concerned you might have developed intra-uterine adhesions (also called Asherman's disease).  This may result in a very light or no menses at all, and affect your fertility.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing
Member Comments (23)

by blondy0022, Apr 19, 2008 10:07PM
To: WAITING21
THE CRAMPS COULD BE YOUR BODY TRYING TO HEAL ITSELF...YOUR BODY IS IN SHOCK....AFTER BEING PREGNANT AND THEN NOT BEING THEN TO HAVE THE D&C DONE.......THEY SAY ITS BEST TO WAIT THREE CYCLES BUT ITS FOR YOUR BODYS SAKE...I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THATS LOST PREGNANCIES AND NEXT MONTH PREGNANT AGAIN.....AND THERE BABIES ARE FINE........  I AM SORRY ABOUT THE LOSE AND GOOD LUCK!!

by blondy0022, Apr 19, 2008 10:08PM
To: WAITING21
THE CRAMPS COULD BE YOUR BODY TRYING TO HEAL ITSELF...YOUR BODY IS IN SHOCK....AFTER BEING PREGNANT AND THEN NOT BEING THEN TO HAVE THE D&C DONE.......THEY SAY ITS BEST TO WAIT THREE CYCLES BUT ITS FOR YOUR BODYS SAKE...I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THATS LOST PREGNANCIES AND NEXT MONTH PREGNANT AGAIN.....AND THERE BABIES ARE FINE........  I AM SORRY ABOUT THE LOSE AND GOOD LUCK!!

by crabscanfly, Apr 20, 2008 03:41PM
wow 2 d&C for the same issue? i mean for the same one the first time. or for 2 dif problems?

by waiting21, Apr 20, 2008 04:37PM
There was tissue left behind after the first d&c, which was causing my body to still produce HCG.  My levels were dropping each week, so the doctor didn't think there was any tissue left, but we finally did an ultra sound and found that there was tissue remaining. So, we did the 2nd one to get out the left over tissue from the first one.  Now, 6 weeks after the 2nd, still waiting for AF.

by adgal, Apr 20, 2008 05:03PM
Hi waiting,

I had a D&C in feb. and didn't get my period for about 6 weeks.  Obviously its what the Dr. says, but mine told me anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks is pretty normal.  Also, even though I had a really bad miscarriage (I was hemoraging really badly), my dr. told me to wait one cycle, and that was enough.  My understanding is the #of cycles to wait differs from Dr. to Dr.

Anyway, good luck to you, and I am sorry for your loss.

by waiting21, Apr 20, 2008 08:21PM
Thanks adgal-
I just feel like I have been waiting so long!  Since this has been going on since November.  But, I am sure it will come soon, and then I will just have to determine how many cycles to wait.  Obviously I want to do what is best for the future pregnancy, but I am tired of waiting!  Good luck to you.

by crabscanfly, Apr 21, 2008 09:36AM
To: waiting
i just had a d&c on april 16th wednesday night, and i had peice of plecenta stuck inside, which i kept bleedin bad with large clots. not very fun

by waiting21, Apr 21, 2008 06:04PM
Crabscanfly-
did you check youe HCG levels to make sure they are at zero?  To make sure that you have all the tissue out?

by crabscanfly, Apr 21, 2008 08:34PM
To: waiting21
no, no one told me to. how do you do that? but i didnt have a misscarriage, it was the doctors stupidty, not to check to make sure it was all out after having my baby girl

by waiting21, Apr 21, 2008 08:52PM
That is frustrating for you!  Maybe it is not necessary for you to, but since I never got my period back after my D&C, my doctor had me give a blood sample to check for HCG, and if there was still some present, then there was still some left.  Congratulations on your baby!

by crabscanfly, Apr 22, 2008 08:53AM
To: waiting21
thanks, i think i will ask and see what the doctor wants to do. i guess its always good to ask when u have questions. so i think its probly good. because i have spotting now. and not heavy bright red blood like i did before the d&c

by crabscanfly, Apr 22, 2008 11:48PM
the HCG is a pregnacy blood test? im gonna ask for it, if thats what it is lol

by waiting21, Apr 23, 2008 03:27PM
Yes, it is a blood test.  I also spotted after my D&C, my doctor said it was healing.  It lasted for about 2 weeks.

by crabscanfly, Apr 23, 2008 06:54PM
To: waiting21
yeah, i dont understand when they say you should have a menstral cycle like bleeding after it. because i never did, mine was like dark to pinkish red blood, and slimly like discharge, but thats probbaly lochia? or the stuff building back up iam asuming.i dunno. i feel ahell of alot better from havin it done., i could of bleed to death. now im just taken 2 diff medications so infection dont set in.

by crabscanfly, Apr 24, 2008 09:44PM
okay so i dont no if its just me, or im just screwed up lol. but i have like a rash/pimple like on the top part of my chest and on the top part of my back, everywhere else is fine, could this be caused from the medication ive been on?

by waiting21, Apr 25, 2008 09:13AM
I never experienced that.  If you are concerned I would ask your doctor.  Or, you could post the question in here and maybe the on-line doctor could answer your question.

by crabscanfly, Apr 25, 2008 10:29AM
Iam going to the doctors today, because after having the d&c, ive expericened dark blood once again,

by smiles85379, Jun 08, 2008 05:23PM
To: all
i had a miscarriage about 5 weeksago. i had a d and c 10 days ago and am still spotting  and really crampy. sometimes i wake up and go to the restroom mand mblood just gushes mout. the i mwontm bleed al day lng. i need help lol im going crazy. any info would be great ty