D & C Procedure in Silver Spring & Germantown, MA

Dilation and curettage, often abbreviated as D & C, is a common gynecological procedure used both for diagnosing and treating various uterine conditions.

Why Would I Need a D & C?

Patients who experience abnormal symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding or bleeding outside of their regular menstrual cycle are likely to undergo a D & C in order to investigate the cause of these irregularities.

Because these symptoms are rather vague, they could signal the presence of any one of the following conditions:

• Uterine polyps/fibroids
• Endometrial hyperplasia
• Early pregnancy loss
• Uterine cancer

As mentioned, D & C can also be used to treat several different uterine conditions. The procedure itself involves removing the woman’s endometrial tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus.

D & C may be performed after childbirth in order to clear away any remaining tissue, including part of the placenta. This same result can be achieved after a miscarriage and helps to prevent any potential infection that the leftover tissue could cause.

Preparing for a D & C Procedure

Before the procedure, patients are given a set of instructions from your OBGYN’s office. This usually includes guidelines on what the patient is allowed to eat or drink before the procedure, and to arrange for a ride home after their treatment is complete. Anesthesia will be given to help the patient feel comfortable during the D & C, which can inhibit driving abilities afterward.

As the name would suggest, the dilation portion of the procedure involves dilating the woman’s cervix in order to give the physician access to the uterus. Once the patient is fully dilated, your OBGYN  will insert a specially designed device into the uterus that then suctions off the targeted endometrial tissue.

Rest and Recovery from D & C

After the procedure, patients are relocated to their own private room to recover after their procedure. This time also gives them a chance to recuperate from the effects of anesthesia or other sedatives used during the D & C.

Patients generally return home within the same day as their treatment, and it is common to experience a mild amount of discomfort within the first few hours after their D & C procedure. This discomfort typically includes a bit of cramping in addition to light spotting.

Knowing Your Risk

Dilation and curettage is a very standard procedure. It is important to note that, like any medical procedure, D & C is associated with a few unlikely complications, such as:

• Damage to the cervix
• Scarring of the uterine wall
• Infection
• Perforation of the uterus
• Bleeding

It is very important that you contact Capital Women’s Care right away if you experience a fever, recurring cramps, worsening pain, heaving bleeding, or foul-smelling discharge after your D & C procedure.