Preparing for a D&C (dilation and curettage) involves a short checklist: adjusting your medications, fasting before the procedure, and setting yourself up for a smooth recovery at home. Most D&Cs are outpatient, meaning you’ll go home the same day, but because the procedure typically requires sedation or general anesthesia, the preparation steps matter. Here’s what to expect in the days and hours leading up to it.
Stop Certain Medications Early
The most important preparation step happens days before the procedure. Because a D&C involves scraping or suctioning tissue from the uterine lining, anything that thins your blood or interferes with clotting needs to be paused ahead of time. Your surgical team will give you a specific timeline, but the common medications to flag include aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and prescription anti-inflammatory drugs like celecoxib or meloxicam. These typically need to be stopped several days before surgery.
If you take a blood thinner for a heart condition or clotting disorder, your doctor will give you a plan for when to pause and restart it. Don’t stop prescription blood thinners on your own. Herbal supplements like fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, and garlic can also affect clotting and are usually stopped at least a week out. The safest approach is to bring a full list of everything you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements, to your pre-op appointment so nothing gets missed.
Fasting Before the Procedure
Because most D&Cs use sedation or general anesthesia, you’ll need an empty stomach. The standard fasting guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiologists call for no solid food for at least 6 hours before surgery and no clear liquids for at least 2 hours before. In practice, most surgical centers tell you to stop eating after midnight the night before and allow small sips of water up to a few hours before your arrival time.
Clear liquids include water, apple juice, black coffee, and tea without milk. Anything with pulp, dairy, or fat counts as food. If your procedure is scheduled for the afternoon, ask your surgical team exactly when to stop eating, since the 6-hour window may allow a light early breakfast.
Showering and Hygiene
Some surgical centers will ask you to shower with a special antiseptic soap called CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) the night before and again the morning of your procedure. This soap reduces bacteria on the skin and lowers infection risk. If your center provides it or asks you to buy it, follow these guidelines: lather from the neck down, avoid your face, eyes, ears, and breasts, and let the soap sit on your skin for about a minute before rinsing. Don’t follow up with your regular soap afterward, since that can wash away the antiseptic.
On the morning of your procedure, skip lotions, powders, perfume, deodorant, and makeup. These products can interfere with monitoring equipment or the surgical site. Remove all jewelry and leave it at home. Do not shave the area near where surgery will be performed, as tiny nicks in the skin can become entry points for bacteria.
What Happens With Cervical Preparation
Depending on your situation, your doctor may take steps to soften and slightly open your cervix before the procedure. This makes dilation easier and reduces the risk of injury. One common method involves placing a small tablet of medication in the vagina 2 to 4 hours before surgery. This medication triggers the cervix to soften and begin opening on its own. You may experience cramping or light bleeding after it’s placed, which is normal.
Another option is a thin rod made of seaweed-based material (called a laminaria) that absorbs moisture and gradually expands, gently widening the cervical opening over several hours. Your doctor chooses the method based on factors like whether you’ve had vaginal deliveries before, your age, and the reason for the D&C. Not everyone needs cervical preparation, so don’t be surprised if this step is skipped entirely.
Pre-Op Tests and Paperwork
In the days before your D&C, you may need blood work. The specific tests depend on your health history and the reason for the procedure, but a basic blood count is common. If there’s any chance you could be pregnant and the D&C isn’t being done for a pregnancy-related reason, expect a pregnancy test. If you’ve had issues with anesthesia in the past, mention this early so the anesthesia team can plan accordingly.
You’ll also sign consent forms and answer a health questionnaire covering allergies, past surgeries, and your current medications. Having this information organized before you arrive saves time and stress on the day of the procedure.
What to Arrange for the Day
You will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Anesthesia and sedation impair your coordination and judgment for hours after you wake up, so arrange for someone to pick you up and ideally stay with you for the rest of the day. Most centers won’t discharge you unless a responsible adult is present.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Think elastic-waist pants and a top that’s easy to change in and out of. Leave valuables at home. Bring your ID, insurance card, and a list of your medications. Slip-on shoes are easier than laces when you’re groggy.
Setting Up for Recovery at Home
Recovery from a D&C is relatively quick for most people, but having a few things ready at home makes the first day or two easier. Stock up on maxi pads before your procedure. Vaginal bleeding typically lasts 7 to 10 days afterward, and you may have light spotting beyond that until your next period. You cannot use tampons for at least 2 weeks, so pads are your only option during this window.
Other restrictions for those 2 weeks include no sexual intercourse, no douching, and nothing inserted into the vagina. Plan for a quiet day or two after the procedure. Most people feel mild cramping similar to a period, and over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually recommended for pain since ibuprofen can increase bleeding. Your doctor will clarify when you can resume anti-inflammatory medications.
Have a heating pad available for cramps, keep comfortable clothes accessible, and prepare easy meals in advance if you can. Know the warning signs that would prompt a call to your doctor: soaking through more than one pad per hour, fever, or worsening pain rather than improving pain over the first few days.
The Night Before: A Quick Checklist
- Medications: Confirm which ones to take or skip the morning of surgery. Some doctors allow blood pressure or thyroid medications with a small sip of water.
- Fasting: Stop eating solid food at least 6 hours before your scheduled time. Clear liquids are usually allowed until 2 to 4 hours before.
- Shower: Use antiseptic soap if provided. No lotions, perfume, or deodorant afterward.
- Pack a small bag: ID, insurance card, medication list, a pad for the ride home, and a change of comfortable clothes if you want one.
- Confirm your ride: Make sure someone is available to drive you home and stay with you.
Most people describe the preparation as more stressful than the procedure itself. A D&C is one of the most common gynecological procedures performed, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes, and the preparation steps above are designed to make it as safe and straightforward as possible.