Miscarriage involves a process similar to labor, characterized by cramps and contractions that lead to the opening of the cervix and emptying of the uterus. Techniques used for coping and comfort during labor can be beneficial during this time.  Feel free to call or text me if you have any questions or concerns.  Below are some suggestions.

 

Some items that might be helpful:

• Maxi Pads 

• Pain Management for cramping such as Ibuprofen

• Calming Techniques/Comfort Tools

• Heating Pad/Tub/Sauna

• Nourishing Food

• A container to put the baby in

• Helpful support people

• (optional) strainer to use while on the toilet

 

General recommendations: 

• Have someone with you at all times once bleeding has begun. 

• Eat light, nourishing foods

• Drink fluids regularly, a cup of liquid every 1-2 hours. A homemade or store bought electrolyte drink is good. Coconut water is also good with a shake or two of salt. Bone broth is also light and nourishing.

• Remember to empty your bladder often enough. A full bladder can irritate the uterus as it tries to cramp. 

• Keep yourself warm and comfortable.

 

Any comfort measures which would be used during labor can be used during a miscarriage, such as:

• Massage or heat on your lower back, feet, or thighs. Avoid putting a heating pad on the uterus during the period of heavy bleeding as it can make bleeding worse. 

• Relax your body starting with your face and jaw and working your way down: arms, back, butt, thighs, etc. Physical tension leads to pain and eventually to fear; which causes more tension. 

• Warm water like the shower directed at your back, or a warm (not hot so as to promote more bleeding!) bath can be pain relieving/comforting. 

• Keep your space calm with dim lights, candles, essential oils, peaceful music, etc. 

 

Warning signs: When to Go to the Hospital

While most women who experience natural miscarriages at home do so without complications, it's important to recognize that home miscarriages can still pose risks such as hemorrhage and infection, which should not be underestimated.

• Fever over 101.0 degrees for more than several hours

• Severe abdominal pain that is increasing abnormally (more than just cramping)

• Flu symptoms, such as achiness or chills

• Severe nausea and vomiting that does not stop

• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

• Bleeding that completely saturates two large maxi pad in 1 hour for more than 2 hours in a row

 

Below are potential warning signs of shock, which can become life-threatening with significant blood loss. If you experience heavy bleeding and notice (or your partner notices) any of these symptoms at any time, seek immediate medical attention by leaving for the hospital or calling an ambulance.

• Spaced out, fuzzy, incoherent 

• Unusually anxious 

• Excessively sleepy or lethargic

• Clammy (feeling sweaty but the room is not too hot) or begin to look pale 

 

Bleeding - What to Expect

The heavy bleeding will generally take 3-5 hours, and may be spread out over a day or 2, as in you may have heaving bleeding for 1-2 hours one day, then it may slow down, and may start again for 1-2 hours the next day. One way to assess blood loss is to keep track of how many large maxi pads you fill per hour. If you fill one large maxi pad in half an hour, (meaning the pad is completely soaked with blood, cannot hold any more liquid) be very attentive for the next hour: two in an hour, for two hours in a row is very heavy for an early miscarriage and may need intervention. Call me after the first hour so we can make a plan for if the bleeding continues at that rate. 

 

The bleeding will continue at the rate of a period for around 2 weeks after the miscarriage. The pattern may stop and start. Eventually the discharge will change from red to brown to tan. If you continue to bleed more than normal, it may be a sign that there is still something left in your uterus from the pregnancy and may require an ultrasound to determine if the uterus is empty.

Keep the strainer in the bathroom for when you sit on the toilet. Any clots or fetal tissue from the strainer or the pad can be placed in a bowl or jar. Whether you decide to keep it or not, it will be helpful to assess for complete miscarriage (no remaining placenta or lining left in your uterus), especially if the bleeding doesn’t subside naturally.

 

Recovery

Recovering from a miscarriage resembles a mini-postpartum period. How you heal afterward can significantly impact both your fertility and your overall physical and mental well-being. It's important to be kind to yourself during this time. Allow yourself to grieve fully. Rest and give your body the time it needs to heal.

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During this period, refrain from inserting anything into your vagina until the bleeding has ceased. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and other physically demanding activities. Instead, prioritize extra rest, similar to what you would do after delivering a full-term baby. Focus on consuming nourishing foods and staying well-hydrated with fluids like herbal teas, coconut water, and broth. Consider taking time off work to fully recover.

Taking these steps can support your recovery and help you navigate this challenging time with greater ease and care.

• Extra rest

• Prayer

• Worship

• Ceremony/Burial

• Artistic Expression: Write, Paint, Sing, Dance

• Plant a tree or plant

• Meditation

• Chiropractor

• Acupuncture

• While honoring your privacy, be mindful not to isolate yourself

 

Emotional Changes after a Miscarriage

One aspect that often catches people off guard is the possibility of experiencing depression. While the grief of losing a baby is understandably profound, there are other contributing factors. After delivery, whether at 8 weeks or 40, hormone levels that were elevated during pregnancy drop sharply. This shift is commonly known as “the baby blues,” and in more severe or prolonged cases, it can develop into postpartum depression.

What many people don't realize is that women who miscarry are at least as susceptible to postpartum depression as those who carry their pregnancies to term, often more so. Unlike after a live birth, where distractions like caring for a newborn and celebrations abound, after a miscarriage these supports are absent, compounding the grief of pregnancy loss.

If you find yourself struggling, don't hesitate to seek help. Support may be necessary to address both the emotional and physical aspects of depression, and it's crucial not to overlook this if needed.

 

Helpful articles with more information:

• https://avivaromm.com/miscarriage-at-home/#1-know-your-miscarriage-options

You can find a quite detailed explanation of the process of a miscarriage and what to expect here: https://www.catholicmiscarriagesupport.com/practical/the-physical-process/