Fertility & conception

D&C for Miscarriage: The Procedure, Step by Step

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A D&C (dilation and curettage) empties the uterus after a miscarriage by gently opening the cervix and removing tissue, usually with suction. It is same-day surgery that often takes under 15 minutes, with recovery in a day or two. Serious complications occur in fewer than 1 in 100 procedures.

Last updated: July 2026

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What is a D&C and when is it used?

A D&C, short for dilation and curettage, is a procedure that empties the uterus by gently dilating the cervix and removing tissue, most often using gentle suction (sometimes called suction aspiration) 1. After a miscarriage it is one of three standard management options, alongside waiting and medication 1.

Surgical management is frequently chosen when there is heavy bleeding, signs of infection, or a preference to have the process finished quickly and predictably. According to ACOG, it is the most complete option, succeeding in well over 95% of cases 1. The same procedure is also used at other life stages to evaluate heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding, including postmenopausal bleeding, though the reasons and preparation differ from miscarriage care.

What happens during the procedure?

The procedure itself is brief. After anesthesia takes effect, the clinician gently opens the cervix, then uses suction and sometimes a small instrument called a curette to remove the pregnancy tissue, usually finishing in under 15 minutes.

Most D&Cs are done as outpatient, same-day surgery in a clinic or hospital, so you typically go home within a few hours of arriving 1. Before the procedure, medication may be given to soften the cervix, and monitors track your heart rate and oxygen throughout. The tissue removed is sometimes sent for testing, which can occasionally offer information about why the miscarriage happened. The experience is designed to be quick, controlled, and as comfortable as possible.

What kind of anesthesia is used?

Anesthesia depends on the setting and your preferences. Options range from local anesthesia (numbing the cervix) with or without sedation, to general anesthesia where you are fully asleep, and a clinician reviews which suits your situation 1.

Many D&Cs done in a hospital use light general or deep sedation, so you feel nothing and have little memory of the procedure. Those done in a clinic more often use local anesthesia with a mild sedative. Either way, the goal is comfort and safety, and the anesthesia plan is discussed and consented to beforehand. Because sedation and anesthesia affect you afterward, arranging a ride home is part of the plan, since driving is not advised for the rest of that day.

What is recovery like, and what are the risks?

Recovery is usually quick. Light bleeding and mild cramping for a few days up to 1 to 2 weeks are normal, and most women return to routine activities within a day or two 1. Periods typically resume in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Complications are uncommon. Serious problems — heavy bleeding, infection, injury to the uterus, or rarely scar tissue (Asherman syndrome) — occur in fewer than 1 in 100 procedures, and most women's future fertility is unaffected 1. Warning signs that warrant a call include soaking two or more pads an hour, fever, foul-smelling discharge, or severe pain. When you feel ready, a clinician can discuss trying to conceive again.

When D&C recovery needs a clinician

Most D&C recoveries are smooth, but certain signs warrant a prompt call: soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or severe pain that pain relief does not ease 1. These can indicate heavy bleeding, infection, or retained tissue that needs attention.

Emotional recovery matters too, and support after a loss is a reasonable thing to ask about. After more than one miscarriage, a clinician may discuss when recurrent loss warrants testing 2. Gale can help you keep track of your recovery timeline and the questions you want to raise at follow-up.

Common questions

The procedure itself usually takes under 15 minutes once anesthesia has taken effect. Including preparation, anesthesia, and recovery, expect to be at the clinic or hospital for a few hours. It is typically same-day surgery, so most women go home the same day.

For most women, a D&C does not harm future fertility. A rare complication called Asherman syndrome, where scar tissue forms inside the uterus, can affect fertility, but it is uncommon. Most people go on to have healthy pregnancies after a D&C.

Light bleeding and mild cramping for a few days, sometimes up to 1 to 2 weeks, are normal as the uterus heals. Soaking two or more pads an hour, fever, or foul-smelling discharge are not expected and are reasons to seek clinician review.

During the procedure you should feel little or nothing because of anesthesia or sedation. Afterward, cramping similar to a period is common for a day or two and usually responds to rest, a heating pad, and pain relief discussed with your clinician.

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After a D&C: when to seek care

  • —Soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours after a D&C is a reason to seek same-day or emergency review
  • —Fever, chills, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge is a reason to seek same-day clinician review for possible infection
  • —Severe or worsening pelvic pain that pain relief does not ease is a reason to seek urgent evaluation
  • —No return of a normal period within about 6 to 8 weeks is a reason to seek clinician review
  • —Feeling hopeless or unable to cope after a loss is a reason to reach out for support, including a mental-health line such as 988

If you soak two or more pads an hour for two hours, pass large clots with dizziness or fainting, or develop a high fever after a D&C, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 right away.

This article is general health education, not medical advice. Whether a D&C is right for you and how your recovery is managed should be decided with an obstetric clinician or gynecologist who knows your history.

References

  1. 1.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2018). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 200: Early Pregnancy Loss. Obstetrics & Gynecology. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002899 ✓ACOG practice bulletin on early pregnancy loss; supports surgical (D&C) management as the most complete option with success over 95%, its use as outpatient surgery, anesthesia options, expected recovery and bleeding, and low complication rates under 1 in 100
  2. 2.Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2026). Recurrent pregnancy loss: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2026.03.001 ✓ASRM committee opinion on recurrent pregnancy loss; supports when repeated losses warrant evaluation and that most women retain normal future fertility

2 sources, numbered by first appearance. General health information, not medical advice. AI-assisted editorial content — every citation independently verified. Editorial policy

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