D&C Recovery: What to Expect After a Miscarriage Procedure

What a D&C Actually Does

A dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus after a miscarriage. Your cervix is dilated and the uterine lining is gently scraped or suctioned to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue. The procedure itself takes 10 to 15 minutes under sedation or general anesthesia. You will typically go home the same day.

The D&C is recommended when your body has not passed all the tissue on its own (an incomplete miscarriage), when a missed miscarriage is diagnosed (the pregnancy has ended but no natural passing has begun), or when heavy bleeding needs to be controlled quickly.

The First 24 Hours

After the anesthesia wears off, expect:

• Cramping similar to moderate-to-heavy period pain. This is your uterus contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size. Ibuprofen or naproxen are commonly used, but ask your clinician which medication and dose are safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a short course of stronger pain medication if needed.
• Light to moderate bleeding. Some women pass small clots in the first few hours. Bleeding typically lightens from bright red to brown over the next several days.
• Grogginess and nausea from the anesthesia, which usually resolves within 6 to 8 hours.
• Mild shoulder or back pain from the positioning during the procedure — this is normal and temporary.

Avoid tampons, menstrual cups, and douching while your uterus is healing; use pads instead. Ask your clinician when it is safe to resume these products and intercourse. Using internal products can introduce bacteria into a healing uterus.

Week One

The uterine cramping typically peaks in the first two to three days, then gradually diminishes. By day five to seven, most women describe the cramping as mild — comparable to light period cramps.

Bleeding usually continues for one to two weeks, transitioning from red to pink to brown discharge. This is normal lochia — the uterus shedding its remaining lining.

Rest is not optional. Your body is recovering from both a surgical procedure and a pregnancy. Many women feel physically capable of returning to activity within a few days but experience a relapse of cramping and heavier bleeding if they push too hard too early. Plan for at least three to five days of rest from strenuous physical activity.

Weeks Two Through Six

By week two, most of the physical recovery is complete. You may have intermittent spotting that comes and goes — this is normal and can last up to six weeks in some cases.

Your follow-up appointment (typically scheduled one to two weeks after the procedure) is important. Your provider will confirm that your cervix has closed, check for signs of retained tissue or infection, and discuss when it is safe to resume intercourse and exercise.

When your period returns: Most women get their first post-D&C period four to eight weeks after the procedure. Ovulation can resume as early as two weeks after a D&C, which means pregnancy is physiologically possible before your first period returns. If you are not ready to conceive, use contraception.

Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention

Contact your doctor if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding — soaking through a full pad in less than one hour
• Fever above 100.4°F — this may indicate endometritis (uterine infection)
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge — another sign of infection
• Severe pain that does not respond to ibuprofen — may signal retained tissue, perforation, or infection
• No period within eight weeks — could indicate Asherman syndrome (intrauterine scar tissue), a rare but treatable complication

Physical Recovery vs. Emotional Recovery

The physical recovery from a D&C is typically straightforward — most women feel physically normal within two weeks. The emotional recovery is not on the same timeline.

The hormonal crash after a pregnancy ends — the sharp drop in progesterone and hCG — can trigger mood swings, insomnia, and a deep fatigue that has nothing to do with the surgical recovery. These are normal endocrine responses, not personal weakness. If depressive symptoms persist beyond two to three weeks or include thoughts of self-harm, contact your provider — this may be peripartum depression requiring clinical treatment.

The Grief During Pregnancy toolkit includes a physical wellness tracker for logging daily symptoms after a D&C or pregnancy loss — pain levels, bleeding, temperature, and emotional state — so you can spot patterns and bring organized data to your follow-up appointments.