Miscarriage affects each person differently. In most cases, the physical symptoms of a miscarriage go away first, but for some people the emotional effects can last much longer.
If you have never experienced a miscarriage before, it is important to know what can usually happen during and after. But exactly what you experience can depend on several factors.
Below, we’ll explain what can happen after a miscarriage, specifically how pregnancy loss is treated and what you may experience with each treatment. We will also talk about recovery and the importance of giving yourself enough time to heal, both physically and mentally.
What to expect during a miscarriage: the physical process depends on the treatment chosen
Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is the first 12 weeks of gestation. While some people may not experience any symptoms, in many cases vaginal bleeding may be the first sign of a miscarriage. Abdominal cramps, lower back pain, or symptoms of pregnancy loss, such as nausea or breast tenderness, can also be early signs.
If you are currently pregnant and experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to know that they can also occur during healthy pregnancies. Therefore, it is best to call the nurse line of your doctor or clinic. They can help you decide when you need to be seen.
If you know you are having a miscarriage, treatment may depend on several factors, including how far along you are in the pregnancy, your care preferences, and your medical history.
Miscarriage Treatment Options: What They Are and When They May Be Recommended
Miscarriage treatment focuses first on ensuring that all pregnancy tissue leaves the body and then on preventing excessive blood loss and infection. So, once a miscarriage has been confirmed, there are generally three treatment options.
Expectant management is the most common treatment for spontaneous abortion, especially before 10 weeks of gestation.
Expectant management means waiting for your body to expel the pregnancy tissue naturally. This is the most common way miscarriages occur, as most occur early in pregnancy.
If the pregnancy lasts less than 10 weeks, in many cases, the miscarriage will complete on its own and there is no medical need for intervention. Some people choose this option because it is a natural process in the body. It is a safe approach if there are no concerns about miscarriage or high-risk bleeding.
What happens when you abort “naturally”?
The timeline for completing the miscarriage with expectant management can vary from a few days to a few weeks. The bleeding usually starts as spotting and then becomes heavier, period-like, or heavier, sometimes with clots. The bleeding is usually accompanied by severe abdominal cramps and sometimes back pain or cramps.
Once the tissue has completely passed through, the bleeding and cramping will usually begin to subside. The initial heavier bleeding should stop within a few hours, but it is possible to experience light bleeding or spotting for a couple of weeks.
Sometimes the tissue does not come out completely, which can cause bleeding that lasts more than two weeks, worsening cramps and pain, large blood clots, fever, and flu-like symptoms. So if you experience continued bleeding, signs of infection, unremitting pain, or other concerns that may indicate retained tissue, call your care team immediately. They may recommend an ultrasound or blood test to see if there is any evidence that not all of the pregnancy tissues have disappeared.
Medications can help speed the removal of pregnancy tissue
Since expectant management can involve days or even weeks of waiting for pregnancy tissue to disappear, some choose to use medications to speed up that natural process. Medications may also be used to help complete a miscarriage if it appears that not all of the tissue has disappeared naturally.
The medications are only available in the first trimester. Its effectiveness in the second trimester and beyond is low and the risk of bleeding increases. HealthPartners offers this treatment up to 10 weeks gestation, although some other clinics may offer the option up to 12 weeks.
Using a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol
A two-step regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol is the most effective method of drug treatment for miscarriage. Using misoprostol alone may be an alternative, although it has been shown to be less effective and may require additional doses.
When you trust HealthPartners with your miscarriage care, you will first take mifepristone by mouth during a visit to your doctor or clinician’s office. You will then take misoprostol at home 24 to 48 hours later. Mifepristone usually does not cause any side effects, but misoprostol usually causes severe cramping and bleeding and sometimes nausea. We may also offer pain and nausea medications to help relieve those symptoms.
The initial, more intense cramping and bleeding should only last a few hours to a day, and you can expect lighter bleeding or spotting for up to three weeks.
Surgical treatment of miscarriage is always an option, but not always necessary
Some women choose surgical options for a miscarriage instead of waiting expectantly or taking medications because they are more predictable and definitive. It may also be recommended by a doctor or clinician depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy and the person’s medical history.
Surgical options may also be recommended for incomplete miscarriage, which means there is still some pregnancy tissue inside the uterus. The surgical removal of pregnancy tissue from the uterus is called dilation and curettage (D&C). During the procedure, the cervix is gently dilated and suction is used to remove any remaining tissue.
The procedure usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and can be performed in an operating room with intravenous sedation or in a clinic following oral and intracervical analgesics.
Can a miscarriage be stopped?
No. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can stop a miscarriage.
How long does a miscarriage last?
A miscarriage can last from a few days to several weeks, but it depends on the person. Once all the pregnancy tissue is removed or removed, most people experience moderate bleeding that clears up over the course of a couple of weeks.
Pregnancy hormones begin to decline immediately after miscarriage and hormone levels gradually return to normal. Most women will resume their period within 4 to 6 weeks after a miscarriage. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to ovulate again after a miscarriage. The timeline for when you will be fertile again is unique to each person.
If you have heavy bleeding that does not seem to subside or if you have a fever or weakness, it is important to seek medical attention right away. These symptoms could be signs of retained pregnancy tissue or an infection that will require treatment.
Recovering from a Miscarriage: Taking Complete Care of Yourself
During pregnancy, hormone levels constantly increase to support pregnancy. When you have a miscarriage, those hormones drop rapidly, which can cause mood swings and other changes.
You may feel fine one day, but wake up the next day feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions. Here’s what you can do to heal your body and mind after a miscarriage.
Make self-care a priority after a miscarriage
It can be easy to put self-care aside as we deal with the physical and emotional toll of a miscarriage. But don’t forget to put yourself first.
- Rest a lot – Especially in the first few days, it is important to give yourself time during the day to sit and relax. Try adding in a quick nap too. It’s an easy way to help your body heal while giving you the added benefit of an energy boost.
- Don’t forget to keep your body moving. – Start by taking slow, short walks and increase the time, if you wish. If you have questions about when you can restart a regular routine, talk to your doctor or clinician.
Eat nutritious foods to nourish your body.
During a miscarriage, the body’s nutrients, especially iron, may be depleted. It’s absolutely fine to indulge in comfort foods occasionally, but try to focus on nutrition as well. To compensate for nutrient loss and support the body’s blood production, eat a balanced diet rich in iron and vitamin C.
Iron can be found in red meat, seafood, beans, and leafy green vegetables. And foods rich in vitamin C can help you absorb iron. You can find them in citrus fruits, kiwis, bell peppers, and many other vegetables.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations to minimize infection and control pain.
To minimize the risk of infection, avoid putting anything into the vagina until the bleeding and spotting has stopped. This means avoiding sex and using pads instead of tampons.
Additionally, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are good options for cramps caused by miscarriage, as long as you are not allergic to any of them. If you are not getting adequate pain relief with over-the-counter medications, call your care team. An exam or ultrasound may be recommended.
Focus on your mental health after a miscarriage
There are many causes of miscarriage and it is not due to anything you have done. That doesn’t make having a miscarriage any easier, and you’re likely to experience a range of emotions. Just remember that it is important to talk about what you feel. This may be with your family, friends, or a licensed therapist or counselor.
Pregnancy after miscarriage
There is no set time to recover from a miscarriage or to start trying again. There is no evidence to suggest that you should wait to try to conceive again. But while there is no medical reason to wait, you can decide to do so if you feel it is the best option for you physically or emotionally.
If the pregnancy you lost was unplanned and you want to avoid another pregnancy at this time, talk to your doctor about birth control and family planning options.
While miscarriages are common, recurrent miscarriages (three or more pregnancy losses) only occur in about 1% of women of reproductive age. If you have experienced more than one miscarriage in the past or have certain medical conditions or fertility problems that may affect your pregnancy, contact your doctor. They can connect you with a specialist to help you on your pregnancy journey.
Give yourself enough time to recover after a miscarriage
Recovering from a miscarriage is different for everyone and you should take the time to heal. When you’re ready, your doctor can give you a checkup and talk to you about options and next steps, such as when or if you want to start trying for a baby again or using birth control.
