The short answer
After a miscarriage you usually have three choices: wait for the pregnancy tissue to pass naturally, take tablets to help it pass, or have a short procedure, often called a D&C or evacuation, to remove it. The procedure is usually a day case under anaesthetic or local anaesthetic, with light bleeding for up to a couple of weeks afterwards. We are sorry for your loss; there is no wrong choice, and you can take time to decide unless you are bleeding heavily or unwell.
Book a D&C, from ₦200,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Your three options
Waiting (expectant management): many miscarriages complete on their own within a couple of weeks. It avoids medicines and procedures, but the timing is unpredictable and the bleeding can be heavy.
Tablets (medical management): a medicine helps the womb pass the tissue, usually at home, within a few days. It causes cramping and bleeding.
A procedure (surgical management): the remaining tissue is removed through the cervix with gentle suction. It is quicker and more predictable, and is often advised if you are bleeding heavily, have an infection, or the other options have not worked.
Your gynaecologist will talk through which suits you. Your own wishes count.
What happens on the day
You fast for the hours you are told, and a tablet may be given beforehand to soften the cervix. Under a short general anaesthetic, or with local anaesthetic, the cervix is gently opened and the tissue removed with suction. It usually takes only a few minutes, and most women go home the same day once they have eaten and passed urine. The tissue is sent to the laboratory to confirm the miscarriage.
If your blood group is rhesus negative, you may need an anti-D injection to protect a future pregnancy. Ask about this if your blood group is not already known.
After the procedure
Cramping like period pain and bleeding for up to about two weeks are normal. Use pads, not tampons, and avoid sex until the bleeding has stopped, to reduce the risk of infection. Paracetamol or ibuprofen help the cramps. Most women return to work within a few days, but take the time you need. A pregnancy test about three weeks later should be negative; if it is still positive, tell your doctor.
Warning signs: call or go to hospital
- Heavy bleeding, soaking pads every hour, or large clots
- Fever, shivering, or a smelly vaginal discharge
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Feeling faint or dizzy
Your feelings, and trying again
Miscarriage is common and is rarely caused by anything you did: not work, not sex, not a fall, not something you ate, and not the evil eye. Grief afterwards is real, for you and often your partner. In Nigeria a loss is often kept quiet; you do not have to carry it alone, and your doctor can arrange support if the sadness does not ease.
You can try again as soon as you feel physically and emotionally ready, once the bleeding has stopped, unless your doctor advises otherwise. After repeated miscarriages, ask about tests before you try again.
What it costs on Mezo
Home the same day. Histology included.
Common questions
Will a D&C affect my chance of getting pregnant again?
For most women, no. Rarely, scar tissue can form inside the womb, and your doctor will discuss this. Tell your gynaecologist if your periods are very light or absent afterwards.
When will my period come back after a D&C?
Usually within four to six weeks. The first one may be heavier or lighter than usual.
Do I need a D&C after every miscarriage?
No. Many miscarriages complete naturally or with tablets. A procedure is one option, and is advised in some situations such as heavy bleeding or infection.
How much is a D&C?
A D&C on Mezo is from ₦200,000, a day case with the anaesthetic and histology included. An anti-D injection, if you need one, is extra.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Miscarriage. NHS. Patient information.
- Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.