On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.rnYou may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in.rnYou will then be transferred to the operating table.rnTo perform a D and C, your doctor needs unobstructed access to your uterus, so your feet will be raised, separated and placed in canvas slings - holding your legs in a position much like that position used during a routine gynecological exam.rnTo begin, the genital area is swabbed with an antiseptic solution ...rn... and sterile towels are draped around until only the vulva is exposed.rnThen the surgeon will use a gloved hand to conduct a vaginal examination and will check the size and location of the uterus by pressing on your lower abdomen.rnA metal or plastic vaginal speculum is used to gently expand the vagina and allow access to the cervix. Patient EducationrnOnce the cervix is visible, a forcep is used to grasp the front lip of the cervix - causing the uterus to open a little.rnUsing a blunt-tipped probe, the surgeon carefully measures the length of the uterus and takes a small sample of tissue from the cervical canal.rnNext, the surgeon will dilate, or open the cervix, using a series of progressively larger metal rods called dilators.rnWhen the cervix has expanded sufficiently, the doctor will use a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette to gently scrape out the lining of the uterus. In some cases, surgernWhen the entire lining of the uterus has been removed, the instruments are withdrawn.rnThe tissue removed will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Less