| Now it's time to talk about the actual procedure your doctor has recommended for you.
|
|  | |
|
|
|
On the day of your operation, |
| |
|
you will be asked to put on a surgical gown. |
| |
|
You may receive a sedative by mouth and |
| |
|
an intravenous line may be put in. |
| |
|
You will then be transferred to the operating table. |
| |
|
To perform a D and C, your doctor needs unobstructed access to your uterus, so your feet will be raised, separated and placed in canvas slings - holding your legs in a position much like that position used during a routine gynecological exam. |
| |
|
To begin, the genital area is swabbed with an antiseptic solution ... |
| |
|
... and sterile towels are draped around until only the vulva is exposed. |
|
|
|
Then the surgeon will use a gloved hand to conduct a vaginal examination and will check the size and location of the uterus by pressing on your lower abdomen. |
| |
|
A metal or plastic vaginal speculum is used to gently expand the vagina and allow access to the cervix. |
| |
|
Once the cervix is visible, a forcep is used to grasp the front lip of the cervix - causing the uterus to open a little. |
| |
|
Using a blunt-tipped probe, the surgeon carefully measures the length of the uterus and takes a small sample of tissue from the cervical canal. |
|
|
|
Next, the surgeon will dilate, or open the cervix, using a series of progressively larger metal rods called dilators. |
| |
|
When the cervix has expanded sufficiently, the doctor will use a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette to gently scrape out the lining of the uterus. In some cases, surge |
| |
|
When the entire lining of the uterus has been removed, the instruments are withdrawn. |
| |
|
The tissue removed will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. |
