QuestionDear Brenda,
I had a D&C done on June 16th (my baby didn't have a heartbeat and it
stopped growing at 7 1/2 weeks). So far 5 1/2 weeks later I still didn't have
my period. I understand that it is normal to be a little bit late. I am just
wondering if the uterus lining after a the D&C will complete heal and grow
back? Some people say you should wait to ttc for a few months so that the
lining can grow back. However, I read somewhere else that 2 or morE D&C
can effect future pregnancies. I had to have two because the first one on May
30 was incomplete. How long does a uterus usually need to get back to it's
pre D&C thickness?
Thank you for your answer
AnswerDear Jacqueline,
It really is not unusual for you to have not had a period 5.5 weeks post-D&C. Most often after a miscarriage or D&C your bleeding will taper off to spotting within 7-10 days, and maybe random spotting will continue for another week. Your hCG will drop steadily, usually hitting zero during the end of the spotting, or about 10 days after the miscarriage or D&C. Some women find they have mild pregnancy symptoms, or little ovulation cramps. Many many women think they could be pregnant, because strange things are happening and their period is "late" (although almost every post-miscarriage period is late.) These symptoms are due to the body's attempts to regulate its hormones again. It may kick into gear right away, and you will get a new period in 4-5 weeks, or it may struggle a bit, and the period will not come for up to 8 weeks.
The uterine lining will build back up as your body goes through the hormonal chain of events. Unless your uterus is damaged during the D&C, typically there is no significant alteration in the ability to conceive/carry a pregnancy from before the D&C was done. There are plenty of cases of women who have had more than two D&Cs in their lifetime and are successfully able to deliver healthy babies.
The general recommendation usually is to wait through at least two menstrual cycles before trying to conceive again. This is simply to allow for hormones to return to ideal levels and for ample time for the body to heal. When you do get your first period after the miscarriage, don't expect it to be normal - it rarely is. It may be heavier than normal for you or lighter, shorter in duration or longer, have lots of cramping or very little. Regardless, as long as you have not had bleeding for three weeks so that the hormones have had a chance to properly go through the chain of events necessary to stimulate menstruation - it is a period.
I hope this has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.
Brenda
