6 Things You Didn’t Know About Dilation and Curettage in Arizona

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Dilation and Curettage in Arizona

A dilatation and curettage procedure is no walk in the park. It involves some pain and discomfort, but in some cases, it is an absolute necessity. Usually, a dilation and curettage in Arizona is performed after a miscarriage.

The main goal of this surgery is to remove any remaining tissue that is stuck in the uterus after fetal death. It is considered to be an outpatient procedure, and most patients who do not develop any complications leave the hospital within a few hours.

There are also different ways to undergo this surgery and different uses for it that are not limited to miscarriage. Here, we list 9 facts about dilation and curettage in Arizona that not all women know.

1. It can be diagnostic. There are many cases in which this procedure is done for diagnostic purposes. For example, it can be performed to determine the reasons behind symptoms like irregular bleeding and pain or postmenopausal bleeding.

2. It can be a treatment. Besides miscarriage, a D&C procedure can enable a doctor to remove a molar pregnancy, which occurs when a tumor grows in place of a normal pregnancy. It is also done postpartum in women whose placenta does not fully clear after birth.

3. It starts one day prior. If the woman getting a dilation and curettage in Arizona is already in the hospital and needs an emergency procedure done, she has no time to prepare. However, a woman with a scheduled procedure needs to follow some rules. The procedure itself may take 10-15 minutes, but preparing for it starts the day before.

4. The invasiveness starts well ahead of time. During the procedure, the doctor inserts an instrument called the speculum to open the vagina and expose the cervix. A medication is given, either orally or vaginally for cervical softening and dilation to begin.

5. There is more than one method for dilation and curettage in Arizona. The next step in the D&C procedure can be done in one of two ways. First, there is scraping, which uses a spoon-shaped instrument to scrap out the unwanted tissue.The alternative is to use a suction curette which is connected to a hose that ends in a specimen bucket.

6. There are different kinds of anesthesia. Some women request general anesthesia and are therefore unaware of what is going on. Others go for spinal or epidural anesthesia. In rare cases, women could be given local anesthesia.

7. No driving is allowed. As with any invasive surgery, there are feelings of tiredness afterwards. Also, anesthesia could cause a person to be drowsy and unfocused, even after the anesthesia wears off and they wake up.

8. It takes time. After the dilation and curettage in Arizona is complete, there is a chance that women need some time to wake up from the anesthesia. Even after that, leaving the hospital is not easy. After such a tiring procedure, women are usually too tired and need all the rest they can get.

9. Feelings are inevitable. Feelings vary from woman to woman, depending on her situation. If the surgery is done following a miscarriage, a woman may still be grieving the lost baby. The most important aspect of emotional recovery is support.

While deciding if you should have a dilation and curettage in Arizona, speak with your doctor about any medical considerations before moving forward. The most important thing for you to remember is that you can only make the choice that will best serve your emotional and physical needs. Call us today to schedule an appointment and we can discuss your concerns together.