[30somethingmom]

When I was miscarrying the first time, my doctor gave me a choice of having a D&C or letting my body miscarry naturally. Since I don't believe in unnecessary surgery, I opted for the natural route. Going the natural route turned out to be much more difficult than I expected. First, it was even more painful emotionally to see blood and tissue in the toilet each day and know that my child was slowly fading away. Second, about a week later I started bleeding way too heavily and had to have an emergency D&C. For my second miscarriage, I chose a D&C right a way in order to avoid what I went through the first time. It may have been unnecessary the second time, but it spared me some additional emotional pain and the fear of another emergency. When you are dealing with something as devastating as a miscarriage, you certainly don't want to add to your pain and suffering.

What do you think of D&Cs? What choice did you make?

[Angel0226]

I too chose the natural route... and ended up having an emergency D&C. If I had to endure this again, I would just choose to have the D&C right away. I was at home a week before I actually lost the baby and then got terribly sick with an infection afterwards. I was definetely not ready to deal with the emotional side of being at home and going through such a terrible thing. And then having the D&C five days later just had drawn everything out even longer.

[renni1010]

I didn't know there was a choice. When they told me my baby's heart wasn't beating and that I needed a D and C I said OK. I wish I had known I could let it pass naturally, but then again maybe I do not. Your experience like others, would be very difficult. Perhaps it was better this way for me. Sorry for your losses. *hug*

I was advised by my doctors to let things happen naturally. I found out on Nov 22 2003 that there was no heartbeat. And I didn't miscarry until about a month later. The images of Dec 15 2003 will haunt me forever. I was told I would pass clots the size of dimes and it would only be a few. I was home alone and I started having severe cramping followed by bleeding for 3 straight hours. And finally a mass of tissue the size of a salad plate fell out of me. I have NO idea why doctors tell women to "let things happen naturally". No one should ever have to live with those images in their minds.