A D&C (dilation and curettage) typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes once the procedure begins. But plan to be at the hospital or clinic for up to five hours total, because preparation beforehand and monitoring afterward take significantly longer than the procedure itself.
The Procedure Itself
The surgical portion of a D&C is quick. Your provider dilates (opens) the cervix and then uses a thin instrument to remove tissue from the uterine lining. This part generally takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish, regardless of whether the D&C is being done after a miscarriage, to remove polyps, or for diagnostic purposes. The reason for the procedure can influence exactly how much tissue needs to be removed, but the time difference is usually minor.
What Adds to Your Total Time
Most of your time at the facility is spent before and after the actual procedure. Before the D&C, you’ll change into a gown, have an IV placed if you’re receiving sedation or general anesthesia, answer medical history questions, and wait for the operating room or procedure room to be ready. This prep phase alone can take an hour or more.
After the procedure, your recovery room time depends largely on what type of anesthesia you received. If you had local anesthesia (numbing only around the cervix), you can expect to rest for about two hours before being discharged. If you had regional or general anesthesia, staff will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing until you’re fully alert and stable, which often takes longer. Adding it all up, a total visit of three to five hours is normal even though the D&C itself was under 15 minutes.
Recovery at Home
Most people return to their regular activities within five days or fewer. Light cramping and spotting are common in the first few days, similar to a mild period. Many people feel well enough to go back to work within one to two days, though some prefer to take it easy a bit longer, especially after general anesthesia, which can leave you groggy for the rest of the day.
Physical rest matters most on the day of the procedure. You’ll need someone to drive you home if you received anything stronger than local anesthesia, and most providers recommend taking it easy for the remainder of that day.
Activity Restrictions After a D&C
Your cervix needs time to close back to its normal size after being dilated. Until it does, bacteria from the vagina can travel into the uterus and cause infection. Because of this, you should avoid putting anything into the vagina after the procedure, including tampons. Sexual intercourse is also off-limits until your provider clears you. The exact timeline varies, but your care team will give you specific guidance based on your situation. Most restrictions last one to two weeks.
Signs Something Isn’t Right
Some cramping and light bleeding are expected, but certain symptoms signal a problem. Heavy bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour or less, fever, worsening pelvic pain (rather than gradually improving pain), or foul-smelling discharge all warrant a call to your provider. Complications from a D&C are uncommon, but infections and incomplete tissue removal do happen occasionally, and catching them early makes treatment straightforward.