Dilatation and Curettage
Alternate Names : D & C, Uterine Scraping
What happens later at home?
A D&C is considered minor surgery. No cutting or stitches are needed. Afterwards, a woman:
may go back to normal activities the next day. If only local numbing medicine was used and no sedatives were given, a woman can return to regular activities within a few hours.
may be sleepy for several hours if she had general anesthesia. People should not drive or use heavy machinery for 24 hours after having general or total anesthesia.
may have cramps and vaginal bleeding or spotting. This is considered normal after the procedure.
may take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort.
should not put anything into her vagina for about 1 to 2 weeks. This includes tampons, douches, and having sexual intercourse. Avoiding these will help to prevent infections.
What are the potential complications after the procedure?
Though uncommon, the complications of D&C may include:
reactions to medicines, such as anesthesia, pain relievers and antibiotics
problems with the anesthetic, such as allergies or other reactions and difficulty waking up or breathing
heavy vaginal bleeding or passage of clots
infection of the uterine lining, pelvic organs or the surrounding area
developing a hole in the uterus
scarring of the uterus from too much scraping
damage to the cervix
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