Suction dilation and curettage (D&C)

Suction dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure in the uterus (womb) that uses suction to remove the tissue involved in a miscarriage. The endometrium (lining of the uterus) is then scraped to ensure that all the material from the conception process is removed. How long it takes can vary greatly, depending on the findings at the time of the procedure, but the average times range from 15 to 30 minutes.

Patients will be under anesthesia and/or intravenous (IV) sedation. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen are usually needed for the first several days after the procedure, to help manage pain and cramping. Patients may drive and return to work on the day after the procedure, if they wish. Mild vaginal bleeding may occur for several days after the procedure, but it is nothing to worry about and will go away in most cases as long as it isn’t accompanied by increasing pain or fever.

Why choose UAB Medicine

UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology offers complete health care for women, provided by physicians and nurses who are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Our physicians are nationally recognized specialists in their fields, so you can rest assured that you are receiving the most advanced care available.

As part of the UAB Division of Women’s Reproductive Healthcare, our program provides services ranging from complete obstetric care to the medical and surgical treatment of complex gynecological problems. UAB Medicine is an academic medical center that conducts clinical research trials, so patients may have access to promising new treatments not available elsewhere. Our physicians are always here for you, from your first routine gynecologic exam and delivering your baby to helping guide you through menopause.

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists at the UAB Women & Infants Center are available on site 24/7 to manage problems with high-risk pregnancies. Our physicians are experts at managing multiple births and premature delivery, as well as conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. For mothers who’ve had a premature birth before, our advanced treatments can reduce their chance of having another one by as much as 50%.

UAB provides the latest MFM care, including first-trimester diagnosis, genetic testing and counseling, and 4D-ultrasound and fetal imaging. All of our MFM specialists are board-certified, and our team also includes certified genetics specialists. Our MFM program is among the most advanced in the nation, and we are one of only 14 hospitals that participates in the national Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network for high-risk pregnancy research.

Care Providers

Stefanie Fieno, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Shweta Patel, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology