In the unfortunate event that someone endures a miscarriage, everything feels like it stops; your plans and excitement may turn to fear, worry, and sadness.
It is very important to know how to manage and navigate this unexpected detour in your journey to parenthood. We hope this blog helps you to understand more about this type of loss, what comes next in terms of recovery and preparation to try again, and the emotional impact it can have on a person.
This is a very sensitive, serious, and emotional topic to cover, and everyone’s experience will vary. It is crucial to remember that you are not alone and that this is something that you can overcome.
What Is a Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is defined as a loss within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Some miscarriages may occur very early in pregnancy, and sometimes they can occur without you even knowing. Miscarriage is more common than you believe; however, many people may not fully understand the physical and emotional challenges of a miscarriage.
Recovery from a miscarriage takes time, patience, and support.
What Are the Symptoms of Miscarriage?
Symptoms of a miscarriage include:
- Worsening Spotting or bleeding
- Cramping
- Abdomen pain
- Contractions
- Passing pink discharge or blood clots
Your doctor will confirm the miscarriage using ultrasound and draw blood to check the HCG levels. Once the miscarriage has been diagnosed, your uterus will need to be empty so your normal menstrual cycle can resume, and then you can try to conceive again. Even if your miscarriage progresses naturally, your doctor will likely want to check in with you for a few weeks or months to make sure that you do not develop any complications.
Emotional Response Following a Miscarriage
The emotional impacts of a miscarriage can be devastating and hard to get through. Everyone processes it differently. You might feel a mix of overwhelming emotions such as shock, denial, grief, sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, vulnerability, and/or depression.
It is important to remember that a miscarriage is not your fault. Most miscarriages are caused by a genetic abnormality that keeps the fetus from developing normally. It is also important to remember that your hormones will change dramatically after a miscarriage, especially after discontinuing hormonal injections. You need to take your time and space to process the emotions from shock or anger to acceptance. It is also important to communicate with your partner as how you process the miscarriage might be different and communication is the key to getting through it together. A strong and personal support system will help recover emotionally from your loss.
Physical Recovery After a Miscarriage
The time of physical recovery after a miscarriage depends on how far along you were before pregnancy loss. Since miscarriage occurs before 20 weeks of gestation, this can vary greatly. It may take several weeks to a month or more for your body to recover after a miscarriage. You can expect to have some cramping pain and bleeding during this time, the symptoms should gradually get lighter. If a miscarriage happens after 6-week gestational age, depending on each individual case, your doctor is likely to prescribe medications either orally or vaginally to help your body pass any remaining tissues. In some cases, you may need to schedule a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure to help complete the miscarriage if you wish to try to get pregnant again in the future.
You Do Not Have To Be Alone in the Grieving Process
If you do not feel ready to face the world, you should take your time until you are ready. When you are ready, even if it may seem painful to talk about what you went through, sharing your story with others will allow you to feel less alone and help you heal. If you are in a relationship, open up to your partner for support. This will help your partner to heal as well.
Fertility Friends Foundation is here to make a difference!