D&C Increases risk of premature birthA recent study presented at ESHRE shows that Dilatation and Curettage (D&C), one of the most common minor surgical procedures in obstetrics and gynecology following a miscarriage, has been shown to increase the chance of preterm birth (under 37 weeks) in a subsequent pregnancy by 29%, and of very preterm birth (under 32 weeks) by 69%. The risks were even higher in women with a history of multiple D&Cs. Dr Pim Ankum of the Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, who presented the results of the study, says that the results “warrant caution in the use of D&C after miscarriage and induced abortion,” and pleads the case for less invasive procedures in such circumstances.