Pregnancy: Miscarriage

What is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks.

For some, the loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened.

Miscarriages are common and are not caused by exercise, stress, or sex. Most happen because the fertilized egg in the uterus does not develop normally.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a miscarriage can include:

  • Bleeding from the vagina, which may be light or heavy, constant or off and on.
  • Pain in the belly, lower back, or pelvis.
  • Tissue that passes from the vagina.

It can sometimes be hard to know whether light bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. But if you have bleeding with pain, the chance of a miscarriage is higher.

Will you need treatment?

No treatment can stop a miscarriage. As long as you do not have heavy blood loss, a fever, weakness, or other signs of infection, you can let a miscarriage follow its own course. This can take several days.

If you don't want to wait, you can take medicine to help the pregnancy tissue pass. Or you can have a surgical procedure to remove the tissue.

Here are some tips for dealing with a miscarriage:

  • Use sanitary pads until you stop bleeding. It is normal to have mild or moderate vaginal bleeding for 1 to 2 weeks. It may be similar to or slightly heavier than a normal period. The bleeding should get lighter after a week.
  • You may use tampons during your next period, which should start in 3 to 6 weeks.
  • Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for cramps. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Eat a balanced diet that is high in iron and vitamin C. You may be low in iron because of blood loss, and vitamin C helps your body absorb more iron. Foods rich in iron include red meat, shellfish, eggs, beans, and leafy green vegetables. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli.

How do you cope with emotions?

It is normal to go through a grieving process after a miscarriage, regardless of the length of your pregnancy.

Guilt, anxiety, and sadness are common and normal reactions after a miscarriage. It is also normal to want to know why a miscarriage has happened.

If you and your family need help coping with your loss, consider meeting with a support group, reading about the experiences of other mothers, and talking to friends or a counselor or member of the clergy.

If you feel very sad or depressed for longer than a couple of weeks, talk to a counselor or your doctor.

When can you try to get pregnant again?

A healthy, full-term pregnancy is possible for most women who have had a miscarriage, and even after having repeated miscarriages.

If you want to become pregnant again, check with your doctor or nurse-midwife.

Do you have any questions or concerns after reading this information? It's a good idea to write them down and take them to your next doctor visit.