Miscarriage Expectations

What to Expect Physically

The physical process varies depending on whether your body miscarries naturally or if you use prescriptions to assist. 

Cramping and Pain 

  • The Cause: The uterus must contract strongly to pass tissue.

  • The Intensity: Cramps will be significantly heavier and more intense than a standard menstrual period.

  • The Timeline: Pain peaks right before and during the passage of the largest clots, then tapers off into a mild ache. 

Vaginal Bleeding and Clots

  • The Color: Bleeding typically starts as bright red or dark brown spotting and progresses to a heavy flow.

  • The Clots: You will pass dark red blood clots. Clots up to the size of a lemon or golf ball are normal.

  • The Tissue: You may pass pink, gray, or white "fleshy" tissue.

  • The Taper: Once the main tissue passes, bleeding should slow down to a light period or spotting, which can last for 2 to 3 weeks

Other Physical Symptoms

  • You may experience temporary nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild chills, and physical exhaustion due to sudden hormonal drops.

At-Home Care and Comfort Measures

  • Pain Relief: Take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed to manage cramping.

  • Pads Only: Use maxi pads exclusively while you are actively miscarrying. Do not use tampons or menstrual cups, as the cervix is open and vulnerable to infection.

  • Comfort: Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen or lower back.

  • Rest: Rest as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Contact your regular doctor, obstetrician-gynecologist, or midwife during regular hours if: 

  • You have continuous, bright red bleeding that stays heavy for more than 2 weeks.

  • You do not get your normal menstrual period within 6 weeks after the miscarriage.

  • You need clarity on your blood type; patients with an Rh-negative blood type often require an injection (RhoGAM) following a miscarriage.

Emotional Support and Recovery

  • Give Yourself Grace: A miscarriage is a significant physical and emotional event. Hormones drop rapidly, which can trigger intense sadness, anxiety, or grief. 

  • It Is Not Your Fault: Overwhelmingly, first-trimester miscarriages are caused by random, unpreventable chromosomal abnormalities. Nothing you ate, did, or thought caused this to happen.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Go to the nearest Emergency Room immediately if you experience: 

  • Severe Bleeding: Soaking through two or more maxi pads per hour, for two consecutive hours.

  • Signs of Shock: Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, confused, or losing consciousness.

  • Extreme Pain: Severe, sharp, or worsening pain in your abdomen, pelvis, or lower back that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication.

  • Signs of Infection: A fever over 100.4°F (38°C), chills, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.