Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Laminaria sticks...aka "Devil Sticks"..mildly uncomfortable..umm no.

These are natural algae sticks that are used to slowly dilate the cervix in preparation for the D & C. The slowly expand with moisture. This is too prevent trauma to the cervix by avoiding manual dilation.

The Dr said I will feel some minor discomfort during the insertion and some mild cramping afterwards. She has definitely never had this done. I almost passed out and threw up during the insertion, they had to fan me and put ice packs on my neck for the next hour until I was finally able to stand up. But that was the least of it, the cramping started and it was so horribly painful, I just cried and cried. These intense cramps lasted for about 12 hours, they have not gone away but have at least gotten more tolerable.

It is probably the most horrendous procedure I have ever endured. Oh and to top it off, the only pain relief you can have is Tylenol.

I really think if I ever have to go through another miscarriage, I would happily choose the natural way. I thought by choosing the D & C I was saving myself for the physical pain of miscarriage, but this was way worse than any natural miscarriage I have been through.

I am getting ready to go to the hospital and will post later if I am up to it.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you had to experience that pain. Hopefully you can get some better painkillers soon.

Dan & Hillary said...

My heart breaks for you. I'm sorry this has been so tramatic. I've naturally m/c'd all but once (when I had the blighted ovum). The D&C was necessary since I wanted chromosomal testing. Hope your heart begins to heal once this is over...

Tracy said...

I found your blog through Hillary's. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. Pregnancy loss sucks.

HeatherV said...

SO,SO,SO sorry. I have been meaning to check back to see what happened and then I read the last week of posts. You are right, no one should EVER have to go through miscarriage. I hope the d & C went well. I am sending you good thoughts. I recovered within a few days but bled for about 2 weeks afterwards.

We are starting the secondary infertility journey. I recently blogged about what we are doing which made feel better to say it "outloud" but my heart is breaking to have to go through all this. I have a HSG schduled next week and am doing a injectable IUI this month.

Good luck as you recover physically and emotionally.

Jill said...

I am having this done tomorrow. I am sick with worry. I have no pain meds in the house, other than one lousy vicoden. I am so sorry you went through this and so scared for myself.

Sara said...

I was freaked out after reading this post. I had the laminaria inserted yesterday and my D & E today. I was 16 1/2 weeks. My doctor was great and he knew I had a very low pain tolerance. He used smaller than normal instruments to insert the laminaria. He also used litacane (sp?) to numb my cervix to ease the pain. It really wasn't any worse than a pap smear. He then inserted a tampon to keep the laminaria from slipping out. My experience was good and I'm thankful my doctor chose to use this route as he explained that it lessens the chance of damage and puncturing the uterus by dialating the cervix with laminaria.

Anonymous said...

I had a laminaria inserted this morning and will be having a D&C tomorrow. It hurt a little during insertion, maybe a little more than a papsmear, but it was done very quickly. It only took a few moments to put it in. I now feel very minor cramping, but not enough to take anything for it. I just wanted to add my experience so that other people who read it won't be too scared.

Anonymous said...

Going threw this right now. All I can do is cry from the pain. I think ny partner thinks Im crazy. But it hurts so much. I never want to do this again. I wouldn't wish this on my enemy.

Anonymous said...

I am also going through this process. I had it done this morning and D&C to follow tomorrow. All I have to say is that the insertion process was a nightmare!! I too was in cold sweats and natiuos during this painfull procedure. I have had a few kidney stones, and id honestlt prefer another stone than this!!! I have terrible cramps and im going on 7th hour. All they have me was ibuprofen! Contemplating, on a hospital visit.....

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