A baby isn’t always planned. And while the news of one can spark a range of happy emotions in most couples, for some, it can be an unnerving surprise. Couples that aren’t ready for a baby can opt for a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), a procedure that can abort any pregnancy at less than twenty weeks. An MTP works by opening the cervix (the mouth of the uterus) to evacuate the uterus using a suction.
An MTP is usually followed by a Dilatation and Curettage (D&C). A D&C is a procedure that involves the use of a surgical instrument to clean the uterine lining and is performed in an operation theatre after administering short general anaesthesia.
1. Before the D&C begins, the legs are placed in stirrups and the doctor places a speculum into the vagina and clamps the cervix in place. Then, the cervix is cleanedwith an antiseptic serum.
2. A D&C, as its name suggests, contains two steps:
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3. After a D&C, it’s natural to feel drowsy from anaesthesia. You’re likely to experience light spotting and cramping for the next few days. It is recommended that you hold off on sex and the use of tampons until your doctor gives you a go-ahead. This way, you can ward off bacteria and infections until your body has rebuilt its immunity.
An MTP and D&C can carry several risks, though their occurrence is rare:
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In fact, recovery time after an MTP usually lasts no longer than 48 hours. After the procedure, it’s normal for a woman to bleed for up to ten days. Anything longer than this is a cause for concern and should be brought to the notice of a doctor.
After an MTP and D&C, it’s likely that your menstrual cycle will take on a new timing. But other than that, you should feel healthy and fit within two days of the procedure. If you have recently conceived and feel like you aren’t quite ready to start a family,
visit an obstetrician at Cloudnine to find out more about how an MTP can help you. Start a family when you’re ready. Until then, count on us to help.
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