Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a minor surgical abortion procedure typically performed during the first trimester. This article explains the procedure's purpose, preparation, what to expect, and associated risks.
Dilation and curettage, also called D&C, is a medical abortion procedure that involves dilating the woman's uterus before inserting a spoon-like instrument called a curette. D&C is a method used during the first trimester of pregnancy but is rarely applied for abortion. The objective of the procedure is to scrape out the uterus and the cervical lining. D&C is a minor surgery that lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia.
Here are some guides to help you understand the D&C procedure better:
- Purpose of D&C. It is important to know that D&C is a medical procedure also used to identify certain illnesses and treat irregular bleeding in the uterus. It is not only done to end a pregnancy. Doctors strongly advise that women who have had a miscarriage should undergo this procedure. The two major types of D&C are:
- Evacuation D&C. This is normally performed in a pregnant woman to remove remaining tissue in the womb.
- Gynecological D&C. This is an investigative procedure to determine why patients experience irregular periods or vaginal bleeding, which often happens after menopause.
- Where D&C is performed. D&C must be performed only in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Patients need to stay for several hours until they recover.
- Preparing for D&C. After the patient undergoes an internal examination by the doctor, she must wait several hours, six hours at the very least. It is also important to test the patient for allergies. Patients should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol a day before the operation. Since the procedure does not require an overnight stay in the hospital or clinic, a patient must make arrangements with someone who can drive her home after recovery.
- What to expect after the surgery. There are no cuts and stitches, so there will be no scars. This is probably what most women are always afraid of when discussing surgeries. There will be signs of manageable pain, like dysmenorrhea. The doctor usually prescribes Panadol to patients to reduce pain. Patients may also experience light bleeding after the procedure for a variable number of days. Patients should not drive immediately after recovery because the anesthesia temporarily affects coordination and reaction time.
- The risks. There are no potential risks if only a certified doctor performs the procedure. D&C is safe and trouble-free. Even with D&C, potential pregnancies may continue, as most would think.
The words "Dilating" and "Scraping" are the operative words here. It is never a pleasant procedure to have any instrument inside you. So it is very important to understand why women undergo D&C procedures or any kind of medical procedure before undergoing it yourself. Also, like any other medical procedure, it is imperative to undergo some tests or even repeat tests with a certified doctor and discuss any concerns before undergoing the procedure.
Understand the Dilation and Curettage Abortion Procedure
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a minor surgical abortion procedure typically performed during the first trimester. This article explains the procedure's purpose, preparation, what to expect, and associated risks.
Dilation and curettage, also called D&C, is a medical abortion procedure that involves dilating the woman's uterus before inserting a spoon-like instrument called a curette. D&C is a method used during the first trimester of pregnancy but is rarely applied for abortion. The objective of the procedure is to scrape out the uterus and the cervical lining. D&C is a minor surgery that lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia.
Here are some guides to help you understand the D&C procedure better:
- Purpose of D&C. It is important to know that D&C is a medical procedure also used to identify certain illnesses and treat irregular bleeding in the uterus. It is not only done to end a pregnancy. Doctors strongly advise that women who have had a miscarriage should undergo this procedure. The two major types of D&C are:
- Evacuation D&C. This is normally performed in a pregnant woman to remove remaining tissue in the womb.
- Gynecological D&C. This is an investigative procedure to determine why patients experience irregular periods or vaginal bleeding, which often happens after menopause.
- Where D&C is performed. D&C must be performed only in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Patients need to stay for several hours until they recover.
- Preparing for D&C. After the patient undergoes an internal examination by the doctor, she must wait several hours, six hours at the very least. It is also important to test the patient for allergies. Patients should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol a day before the operation. Since the procedure does not require an overnight stay in the hospital or clinic, a patient must make arrangements with someone who can drive her home after recovery.
- What to expect after the surgery. There are no cuts and stitches, so there will be no scars. This is probably what most women are always afraid of when discussing surgeries. There will be signs of manageable pain, like dysmenorrhea. The doctor usually prescribes Panadol to patients to reduce pain. Patients may also experience light bleeding after the procedure for a variable number of days. Patients should not drive immediately after recovery because the anesthesia temporarily affects coordination and reaction time.
- The risks. There are no potential risks if only a certified doctor performs the procedure. D&C is safe and trouble-free. Even with D&C, potential pregnancies may continue, as most would think.
The words "Dilating" and "Scraping" are the operative words here. It is never a pleasant procedure to have any instrument inside you. So it is very important to understand why women undergo D&C procedures or any kind of medical procedure before undergoing it yourself. Also, like any other medical procedure, it is imperative to undergo some tests or even repeat tests with a certified doctor and discuss any concerns before undergoing the procedure.
Understand the Dilation and Curettage Abortion Procedure
By Howtodotips
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a minor surgical abortion procedure typically performed during the first trimester. This article explains the procedure's purpose, preparation, what to expect, and associated risks.