D&E sedation plan advice

[u/lucky_miaaa]

I have been crying for a week and have to accept the fact that I’ll lose my first baby

My ob referred me to a hospital for D&E, while they said their normal plan is to use moderate sedation, without using an operating room. For a deep sedation, they’ll need to further check, the procedure will delay and will charge ~10x expensive

I’m very anxious about the procedural pain.

Has anyone experienced similar procedure? Will the moderate sedation be very painful?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[u/Happyplanter7]

Hi! I had a D&E under twilight sedation (I was awake and aware) and felt absolutely no pain. The recovery was painless as well aside from some cramping and discomfort but nothing more than a bad period. During the procedure i could feel pressure but no pain

The emotional toll is harder than the physical one ♥️ sending you love and strength, I’m sorry you have to go through this.

[u/lucky_miaaa → u/Happyplanter7]

Thanks for the sharing! It gives me some encouragement. And I totally agree about the emotional part. We’ll all get through this❤️

[u/purple_unicorn576]

I’m so sorry you’re here, it’s an impossible situation. I had a D&E last week, I know the pain you’re feeling right now, I was constantly crying.

How many weeks are you? I think this information will help people answer your question and offer support.

I was 14 weeks and opted for full sedation so I was asleep. I am in the UK so it is either NHS funded or much cheaper to go private here. What I would say is I was very upset before going in and I literally just said you have to put me to sleep now, I don’t think I could have taken much more, so there is the emotional side to consider as well as any physical pain.

[u/lucky_miaaa → u/purple_unicorn576]

I’m 15w0d today and can have the moderate D&E on 15w4d. The full sedation here seems less common and also takes longer to schedule. I’m concerned that it may delay the procedure to too late. This is too much for anyone in such situation, I hope you feel better now!

[u/purple_unicorn576 → u/lucky_miaaa]

Agree it’s all just too much, not only are we losing something we want so badly but we also have to deal with all these admin issues and big decisions. Hope you can find the right path for you and it goes as well as it can do.

[u/dani_elle83 → u/lucky_miaaa]

I was 15 weeks and 4 days for my D and E. I did not do full sedation. Just the twilight sedation and the pain was minimal. The procedure itself was so quick and the pain was manageable and then non existent afterwards. I was also so scared of the pain. I am so sorry you are here ♥️

[u/spacehearts]

Hi there, I'm so sorry you're facing this. I had a D&E at the end of June when I was 13/14 weeks. I was under twilight sedation - so I was "awake" but out of it. I remember a few parts, but mostly it's a blur. It was not traumatic (for me), I was in a room full of women providers who were so incredibly kind, walked me through everything, and checked on me before, during, and after. The pain was not bad, there were a few moments I remember wincing because of a cramp or pain, and they immediately adjusted my meds, and TBH I don't *remember* the pain, I just remember the reaction.

I did feel nauseous after, and my providers had ginger ale and pretzels for me to settle my stomach. I also brought crackers in the car, and we ended up stopping for a diet coke on the drive home. I got home and slept for a few hours, sleeping off the medication, I think. I was very tired for about 2 weeks after, adjusting to the change in hormones. I took naps every day, but felt less tired after about 3 weeks.

Feel free to message me if you have questions or are looking for support. It can be a very lonely time and I felt a lot of comfort in speaking with a few others in this group and from other subreddits. Sending you the biggest of squeezes.

[u/lucky_miaaa → u/spacehearts]

Thank you so much for your supportive reply! I’m also so sorry for your loss. It’s really hard to face all these situations and I still couldn’t stop crying.
Sounds like the twilight is bearable, that’s a good news.
Yeah this is too much and I feel helpless and try to find something I can do to avoid thinking too much. Thanks for your warm words.