Experiences after D&C? - may be TMI for some

[janey99]

Hi all -

Not a happy topic, but I'm hoping to get some feedback from those that are comfortable sharing.

Some of you may recall a couple of weeks ago in someone elses thread, I mentioned that I found out in my twelfth week that my baby had stopped growing at about eight weeks, and then I had a D&C. I am now about 3 weeks post-D&C.

I had no real effects from the procedure itself - no cramping at all, and very nominal bleeding (spotting really) for 3 days starting 2 days after the procedure.

Right now, though, I am noticing "things" that may or may not be due to the hormonal changes, and I was wondering if anyone else ever experienced these effects - although I have no real appetite, and am eating less than when I was PG, I have gained about 5 pounds since the procedure (and this is after gaining only about 5 pounds in the whole 12 weeks of the pregnancy). Also, I am having terrible breakouts - on my chin, jawline, neck, chest, shoulders and back - almost like cystic acne, and I never really suffered from pimples, even as a teen. Also, pretty frequent "twinging" that feels like it's in my ovaries.

My post surgery followup is next Friday, and I will definitely ask my OB about these things, but I just wanted to hear from other women whether they had any symptoms after an experience like this.

TIA - I know this is not a happy or easy topic, and I am really grateful to anyone who feels they can share.

Jane

 

[Blondy876]

When I had a miscarriage several years ago I had a huge hormonal shift afterwards that caused my skin to break out, had cramps, lower back pain etc. I didn't have a D&C but according to my midwife it is pretty common for your body to act like this. It takes time for the hormones to shift back to normal and this was part of it. I would still ask your doctor but I wanted to let you know what my experience was and it sounds like yours are similar.

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.

 

[mickeyboat]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I had one very early in PG for an ectopic. I didn't really notice much more than some bleeding and cramps.

However, after delivery, I got terrible acne both times. I think it was from the changing hormones.

Do you think it is possible you are ovulating which may be causing the twinges in your ovaries.

Definitely discuss your concerns with your OB tomorrow. Write your questions down so you don't forget.

Denae

 

[mrsltg]

This sounds like a post-pregnancy hormonal adjustment. However, give your OB's office a call just to be sure. They can tell you if anything is 'off'.

Good luck, and so sorry for your loss.

 

[Virgo10]

I had one many years ago so my memory may not be the best but I don't remember any of those symptoms. However, I wasn't pregnant. Why don't you call your doctor and tell him the things you just listed here. It may be normal but at least you have some peace of mind.

I'm sorry for your loss. Please let us know how you make out.

 

[Christine]

Jane,

I hope you don't mind me responding even though I have never had to go through what you have--no D&C and no abrupt ending to a pregnancy.

My feeling is that you are going through a huge hormonal shift right now. I'm sure that the D&C and removing everything caused an abrupt shift in the pregnancy hormones--they probably just stopped instead of waning off. Your body is probably trying to regulate itself right now and it may take some time. Women tend to go through these crazy things before, during, and after pregnancies, and before, during, and after menopause.

Hopefully it will all straighten out in a few weeks. Definitely mention to your doctor but I'm betting they'll tell you the same thing. I'm guessing you've just a had a fairly large drop in estrogen.

 

[KariC]

Been there, too. I'm betting some of this is just due to the drop in progesterone (that's one the hormone that supports PG) and the other hormones. Since your body was still supporting the pregnancy, the hormone levels hadn't begun to drop off on it's own, so it was probably a big shock to your system. I don't remember those symptoms (I do know that I bled longer), but I don't really remember much except staring out the window at a tree changing colors and loosing it's leaves and watching the 9/11 coverage. I do know that I was in a deep depression, and felt like I was at a real crossroads with my life (faith and all).

It's a tough time. I hope your doctor can answer your questions, and that you can move thru any grief stages that you need to.

 

[phorsenuf]

I just had an unexpected one on Monday but not the result of a pregnancy (they did rule that out though first).

Did they happen to tell you how long the cramping would last? They told me nothing and I swear its getting worse and not better. I'm probably going to call later and touch base but I'm curious if anyone knows hw long it typically lasts.

As far as your symptoms it probably is hormones and such as they get back down to their normal levels.

 

[janey99]

Phorsenuf -

I did not have a whole lot of immediate physical symptoms, but I don't know if my experience is normal. I had no cramping at all and only very limited spotting for a couple of days.

Prior to the surgery, they talked about giving me an injection of something (I want to say it was called Torgetal - I'm probably remembering the name wrong and or mangling the spelling, but they said it was like talking 10 advil). The thing is, I was a little preoccupied and I can't remember if they said they WOULD give it to me if I needed it (and they didn't because I had no cramps right after) or that they were DEFINITELY giving it to me via my IV during the surgery, and that's why I had no cramps.

Did your doc mention anything like this? They also told me for the week after the surgery, I could take up to 3 advil at a time on the recommended dosing schedule if I had a lot of pain. Since they said that was OK for the first week, I'm guessing it could be OK/typical to have pretty severe cramps for at least the first week.

I know they told me my uterus would be shrinking back down to size, and I do recall after my DS was born there were some pretty dramatic cramps as that happened after a "regular" delivery.

Hope this helps and hugs to you.

Jane

 

[phorsenuf]

Phorsenuf -

I did not have a whole lot of immediate physical symptoms, but I don't know if my experience is normal. I had no cramping at all and only very limited spotting for a couple of days.

Prior to the surgery, they talked about giving me an injection of something (I want to say it was called Torgetal - I'm probably remembering the name wrong and or mangling the spelling, but they said it was like talking 10 advil). The thing is, I was a little preoccupied and I can't remember if they said they WOULD give it to me if I needed it (and they didn't because I had no cramps right after) or that they were DEFINITELY giving it to me via my IV during the surgery, and that's why I had no cramps.

Did your doc mention anything like this? They also told me for the week after the surgery, I could take up to 3 advil at a time on the recommended dosing schedule if I had a lot of pain. Since they said that was OK for the first week, I'm guessing it could be OK/typical to have pretty severe cramps for at least the first week.

I know they told me my uterus would be shrinking back down to size, and I do recall after my DS was born there were some pretty dramatic cramps as that happened after a "regular" delivery.

Hope this helps and hugs to you.

Jane

See this is what I don't get. I had mine done right then and there in the Drs. office. No getting knocked out, no local, no nothing. Let me tell you it hurt like heck! Everyone I have spoken with is shocked by how it was done.
I guess that surprises me because I have great Drs.

 

[helenabear]

Jane I just went through this under similar circumstances in November. I am so sorry for your loss.

I admit I had a lot of hormonal shifts that even affected my cycle after the pregnancy. I didn't have what you said, but every body is different. I noticed a lot of changes for me. One thing though, I definitely did not gain weight. I lost everything I had gained while pregnant in the first place. That would be a small concern to me but the doc should be able to answer that.

My hair went through a super oily stage though, and amazingly it didn't affect my face.

I did feel a lot more twinges for the longest time in my uterus area though. Then again I spotted off and on for 3 weeks after the procedure. That wasn't fun

Good luck at the follow up. And I truly am sorry for your loss

Elaine

 

[luvmydogs]

I will join everyone else in telling you it's your hormones, janey--but do mention all your symptoms to your Dr. at your follow-up, as it's very important that s/he know everything you're experiencing.

I am genuinely sorry for your loss.

 

[ZachnElli]

I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I've had 3 d&c's and 1 d&e, so I've experienced just about everything (also 2 regular miscarriages). So out of 6 miscarriages, only once did this happen to me and it was after the d&e, also farther along like you. Even though the baby died at 8 weeks, your body thinks it was 12 weeks, so more hormones. It took my body a long time to get back to normal and I even went on birth control after a few months to get me back to normal. I took them for 2 months and that was it and I was back to normal. I broke out horribly during this time. Hopefully, your body will snap back faster than mine. But it was miscarriage #5 for me, so that could be why it took so long for me. Take gentle care of yourself.

 

[janey99]

I hope to get back here later in the day and comment personally to everyone who was kind enough to post, but for now, thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and helpful comments!

Jane

 

[janey99]

I have heard many different stories also about how theirs was "done." I have no idea what makes individual doctors make the choices they do, or what about each individual patient may change their preferred course of action. I had mine in a hospital, under GA. It was an outpatient procedure, however - I was in immediate post op for one hour, and when I didn't throw up there they moved me to secondary post op (in a chair), where as soon as I ate some crackers, drank some gingerale and (pardon me!) peed, I was allowed to go home (with DH taking me - they wouldn't have let me leave alone).

If you had so much discomfort after, I would definitely follow up with your MD and ask why he chose to do it that way.

Hugs again to you - I hope you are feeling better!

Jane