Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

D&C is a procedure in which the uterus (womb) is held open with instruments (dilaton) to allow a clinician to scrape away a layer of the inside wall (curettage). A curette is a surgical instrument with a scoop-shaped blade used to scrape tissue from the inner wall of the uterus (endometrium).

The Procedure
The day before the D&C procedure, your clinician may put a softening substance on your cervix. This substance may cause some cramping and discomfort in the pelvic area. A D&C can be done with a local, regional, or general anesthetic.

You will be asked to lie on a table with your knees up, very much as for a pelvic examination. Instruments are inserted to open the vagina and the cervix. At this point the clinician may swab the cervical wall for a Pap test. A special instrument (tenaculum) is used to hold the uterus steady while the curettes are used to scrape the inner tissue. The instruments are then removed, and the tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing.

Reasons for D&C
D&C is used for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect the uterus (womb), such as heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, fibroids, uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease or miscarriage.

Risk
A D&C is very safe but there is always some risk of damage or infection with a surgical procedure.

Recovery
After a brief recovery period, you will be able to go home but you will need some one to drive you. Expect some bloody drainage and discharge from the vagina for a few days or a few weeks. Use sanitary pads for this discharge. Do not use tampons, have sexual intercourse, or do any heavy lifting until your doctor has said it’s okay.

Call your doctor if you have one of the following symptoms:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding (using more than one sanitary pad per hour)
• Severe lower abdominal pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Bad-smelling vaginal discharge