D & C is a minor surgery carried out on the uterus. D & C procedure is also known as dilation and curettage. D & C procedure is carried out to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. However, D & C procedure is also carried out after a miscarriage. Read on to know more about D & C procedure.

Those who are going to have their D & C procedure for the first time might be a little bit anxious and worried. You need not worry much because it is a minor surgery and the recovery time is also short. It is done in an empty stomach in the morning. The process and preparation for the surgery may need few hours so it is better to get an appointment as early as possible.

What is D & C procedure?

D & C or dilation and curettage is a procedure in which the doctor expands the uterus so that the uterine lining is removed. The instrument used is called curette, which is a spoon shaped apparatus. The surgery is carried on with mild anesthesia and you will be awake, though you will not feel any pain. The procedure usually takes 90 minutes and once it is completed you will be taken to the recovery and offered something to eat.

Why is D & C procedure done?

There are many reasons why the D & C procedure is done. Most commonly this is done because of abnormal uterine bleeding. The cancer or pre-cancer stage is determined after this procedure. Most often the remaining tissues are removed through this procedure after a miscarriage in order to avoid infection. This procedure is done either to remove tissues or to determine the health of your uterine lining.

The reasons why you should not go for D & C procedure

• D & C is a mild surgery and there is no risk involved in normal conditions. Only if the patient is too ill or weak, this procedure is not carried on.

• If the patient is suffering from sever arthritis and she is unable to move her legs apart, the surgery cannot take place.

• Besides, if the patient is pregnant or thinks she is pregnant, the D & C surgery cannot take place.

So if you are advised by your doctor to go through D & C procedure, you should find out all recommendation that is important before surgery. Talk to your doctor freely and find out what are the recovery time and every detail related to the surgery. Although this is a minor surgery you need to take all precautions and need to know what is good before and after surgery.

Normally the doctor meets the patient to explain the procedure one day before the surgery and discusses all the precautions and probable complications related to the surgery. You should feel free and ask whatever you fear or you are anxious about.

Usually after a D & C procedure the patient is kept under anesthesia recovery and in few days she gets back to normal. Mild pain and cramping may follow and will last for few days. If the pain or cramps are felt unbearable, medication can be prescribed by the doctor for that. It is better to avoid intercourse for the next two weeks or insert tampons or anything else into vagina for the same time period.