Is the blood that flows after a D&C, haidh or istihaadha?

Q. Is the blood that flows after a D&C, haidh or istihaadha?

A. Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus. Dilation and curettage is performed to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions, such as heavy bleeding or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion.

In terms of Shariah, the same rules that apply to the blood flow after a miscarriage, also apply to the blood flow after a D&C is performed.

Accordingly, if a miscarriage occurred before the forming of the limbs of the foetus, then the bleeding after the miscarriage will either be considered Menses/Haidh (if it fulfils the conditions of menses) or dysfunctional bleeding/Istihaadhah (if it does not fulfil the conditions of menses).

However, if the miscarriage occurred after the limbs of the foetus were formed, the bleeding would be regarded as Postnatal bleeding (Nifaas).

The forming of the limbs means the forming of the hands or feet or fingers. (Shaami 1/302/303) Usually, this occurs at 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

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