My D&C Experience After 16 Week Labor

On January 13th, 2022, we found out at a routine doctor’s appointment that we lost our baby girl. I was 16 weeks pregnant and she was measuring at around 15-16 weeks. It appeared that her passing had happened recently based on her size.

I was told that I would need to go in and be induced that night to deliver her. I shared the entire story of my miscarriage and delivery experience here.

Two weeks after I had Giovi (January 27, 2022) was my checkup appointment. Going to the same doctor’s office where I was given the worst news of my life was very tough for me mentally.

I sat in the waiting room with my eyes filled with tears.

I was called back for my vaginal ultrasound. The nurse led me to the same room where I was told my baby didn’t have a heartbeat.

The ultrasound showed that my uterus, cervix, tubes, and all surrounding areas looked great.

However, there was still blood and tissue left in my uterus that didn’t come out naturally.

I knew this didn’t sound like good news.

As I waited for the doctor to come in and tell me what was next, I was feeling a bit nervous.

The doctor came and told me that I still had way too much blood in my uterus to pass on its own at this point. She said that I would have to go in to have a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) to get all the remaining blood and tissue out.

I cried.

I gave birth to my 16-week-old baby two weeks ago and now I still have to have a D&C.

I did not understand why this was happening to me. I would have to go back to the same hospital where I delivered Giovi to get the procedure done.

I told the doctor that we had plans to leave out of state on February 1st so she set me up an appointment for that coming Monday (January 31, 2022, at 10:00 am).

It was the longest weekend waiting for my surgery day to come. I am the type of person that just wants to get the bad over with. I hate waiting.

When Monday came, it was time to head to the hospital for our 8 am check-in.

I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything past midnight the night before.

My husband also skipped out on eating because if I couldn’t eat or drink, he wouldn’t either. That’s him, by my side through it all as the best support system.

I was hungry, thirsty, and a little nervous.

My nurse came in to hook me up to an IV. After a few unsuccessful attempts, the IV was finally in.

The anesthesiologist then came in to talk to me about putting me to sleep with general anesthesia which would require a tube in my throat to help me breathe during the surgery.

I knew I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to be put to sleep. So, she gave me the option to sedate me enough to not feel the pain but still be sort of awake during the procedure. I agreed to this method.

I was given something in my IV to help with my anxiety right before surgery.

I didn’t want anxiety medications but this helped me so much. I am glad I got it.

My husband walked with us, holding my hand as they rolled me to surgery. He went to wait in the waiting room while I was pushed back.

I remember talking with the nurses and anesthesiologist about my kids, my husband, and black bean veggie burgers while back there (I was hungry, y’all).

I also remember my legs being put up on the stirrups. She then upped my sedation meds at this point so I didn’t feel any of the procedure whatsoever.

The setup for the surgery took longer than the surgery itself.

An hour later, the nurse went out to tell my husband that my surgery was successful and she got all the clots and tissue out.

I remember being in the surgery room after the surgery. I felt so glad that it was over and just wanted so badly to be back with my husband and our babies.

I was rolled to my recovery room and my husband walked with me but couldn’t be in the room with me due to covid restrictions.

The recovery took a total of about 30 minutes. I ate crackers and chugged three cups of water so fast during this wait.

Once I was able to get up and pee, I was free to go. It was 1 pm and time to go home and grab some veggie burgers along the way.

I took a nap when I got home because I was extremely tired. When I woke up I was able to do some packing but when the meds wore off I got a bad headache and had to take it easy for the rest of the evening.

The headache was the only pain I felt, thankfully.

I know many experience cramping and bleeding after a D&C but I did not experience any cramping at all. I did spot some here and there but not much.

I woke up the next day feeling so grateful it was all behind me. I looked at my kids and thanked God for them. I told my baby, Giovi that Mama loved her and missed her so much.

I felt ready to get on the road and leave all the tragedy the month of January brought behind us.

Arizona, here we come. 🏕