Possible D & C Complications Resulting in Infertility?

Updated on April 05, 2010
D.F. asks from Raleigh, NC
4 answers

About seven months ago, I had a D & C for a baby I lost at 19 weeks. Though the baby died at 16.5 weeks, I didn't find out until 19 weeks. The day after I found out that there was no heartbeat, I went into labor in my own, but my doctor felt it was necessary to still have an emergency D & C as I was delivering the baby.

About five weeks after surgery, I got a normal period. As recommended, my husband and I decided to wait for one more period before attempting to conceive another child. We anticipated being able to conceive right away because we have already gotten pregnant twice within a couple of months of initially trying. (My first pregnancy resulted in a healthy child.)

Unfortunately, we have been trying to get pregnant for about six cycles (my cycles are just 23-25 days apart), and we have had no luck. My doctor has tested my progesterone and given me a saline ultrasound to see if there were any problems. Everything turned out normal. We have no idea why a pregnancy is not occurring.

In addition too our not conceiving, my period sometimes begins 12 or 13 days after ovulation instead of 14. I take my tempuratire and check my CM, so I know exactly when I ovulate. I don't know why I get my period early.

Another confusing event happened last night. My period started yesterday, and in the middle of the night I woke up in horrible pain. The pain was worse than labor, but it felt like labor. During this time, I was also shaking and felt nausea. After about an hour, the pain subsided, and I was able to sleep. I tried to call my doctor about it today, but the office was closed. Should I be concerned about this event? I have never had an experience like this before.

Based on all of this information, do any of you think I am having a complication from the D & C? Are there other possible reasons for what is happening? Thanks for any information.

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K.D.

answers from Raleigh on

I'm not sure about all the other stuff, but the pain sounds like you may have had a cyst rupture. There is no pain like it... but once it's over, that's it. I'd make an appt with my OBGYN just in case.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Dallas on

I am so very sorry for your loss and the pain you have had. One thing I will add to the previous post is to follow up on ovarian cysts. I have problems with these and it was explained to me that cysts naturally occur and go away during a normal cycle. However, sometimes they can explode like a firework going off. I had one do this and the pain was so bad I passed out and even hit my head on the tile floor. You may have had a cyst rupture that night. Also, have you had your thyroid checked. Thyroid disease often mimics poly cystic ovarian syndrom and causes all kind of distress in your cycle. My thyroid disease was pregnancy induced so this maybe something for you to look into. Its a simple blood test and no big deal. I would ask for an internal ultrasound also to check for cysts. I know you are calling anyways. But I would at least ask for those tests. Best of luck to you and your family!

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S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I do feel your pain - I lost 3 children to miscarriages and had to have D & C's with each (they called it "uterine debris" when the baby dies but it doesn't "pass" through your body normally - what a cruel term). I will say that my cycles were never "normal" after that first D & C for whatever reason and got worse with each one. I also had ovarian cysts that sound ALOT like the pain you are having. Also, I have had kidney stones for years - passing those feel EXACTLY like labor and some women are prone to stone after having a baby (I know that isn't technically the case, but who knows what your BODY thinks). I did have one nearly full term pregnancy after my 3rd D & C resulting in a live birth, but after that no more bio kiddos for me.

I would definitely check it out with your dr - especially the kidney stones thing. My first round of kidney stones, I thought I had my period - turns out my urine was so bloody I had mistaken it for my period. Also, I would ask for an ultrasound to make sure that there are not any other issues. If you continue to experience severe pain, please don't wait. It's worth the trip to ER or UrgiCare to make sure it isn't something more serious.

Feel better :)

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I am sorry for you loss. I know how painful it can be. I also had a D&C after a miscarriage, and I would always wonder if I was having complications from the procedure, as I was having pain and was also not having luck conceiving after the miscarriage. After an exam, I found out I had three large ovarian cysts- 2 on the ovary, 1 in the tube. My gyn took a wait and see approach and they resolved on their own after about three months. I would say get checked out. Esp after a miscarriage, your hormones are all out of whack, which can make you more likely to develop an cyst. Best of luck to you.

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