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There are many questions you need to ask if you have had a DNC procedure. If you can get over the trauma of the procedure long enough to focus on what has happened then you are already doing better than I did. After my miscarriage I was in shock, and now years later I regret the questions I didn't ask.

One of the first questions to ask is what is a DNC? It is a medical procedure called a Dilation & Curettage. This is the act of forcing the dilation of the cervix (much like what happens naturally in childbirth) and then scraping the uterus clean of any and all tissue. Is is usually done on an outpatient basis. Most often it is performed as an abortion. It can also be done to prevent infection and or complications with miscarriage. In my case it was an emergency D&C to keep me from bleeding to death when I miscarried at 5 months pregnant. It all happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to ask any questions beforehand. Like whether the procedure was absolutely necessary. Before I knew what was happening I passed out on the floor in the bathroom of the ER bleeding profusely.

The question I most wanted the answer to, was whether my baby was a boy or a girl. I never asked. And I will always wonder. I was barely 17 years old. I don't think I asked my doctors any questions those 2 days I spent in the hospital. I just wanted to go home. Pretend it never happened. Thats what everyone else wanted to do too, no one knew what to say, some said nothing at all. Some said hurtful things, like it wasn't meant to be, it was for the best, stupid things, and things that cut me deeply.

Other important questions you need to ask will surround how the surgery went. Were there any complications? Was there a need for blood transfusions? Will there be significant scarring? How might this affect future pregnancies? And how long should you wait before trying to get pregnant again? The uterus will need some time to heal before it is ready to carry another baby. The procedure can also cause scarring that can encourage future miscarriages. Especially if the fetus tries to attach to the uterine wall on scar tissue from the D&C. This is also the reason it is recommended to wait at least six months before trying to get pregnant again. You will also need to ask about how long you need to refrain from intercourse, as this can also be expected.

As painful as it may be, if you are having this procedure done as a result of a miscarriage then there are questions you might want to ask about what tests will be done on the fetus remains. Will the test results be shared? What will be done with the remains? You wont want to ask, but its now or never. You might want or need to know later. What about the possibility of genetic defects? This is why most pregnancies miscarry. It could shed light on future attempts to carry a child. Each person will have questions of their own, very personal questions they wont want to ask, but must. When I had my second miscarriage I avoided another D&C.

The thing to always remember is that our health care providers work for us. We have to work with them in our care. Make active decisions, get information and ask questions until you understand what your options are. Who cares what anyone thinks of you, its your health, your body, and your right to have the answers you seek.

I would like to have buried my baby, but I never asked if I could.

Learn more about this author, Chris Dixon.
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