Miscarriage Recovery Care

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher because many miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy — before you might even know about a pregnancy.

The term "miscarriage" might suggest that something went wrong in the carrying of the pregnancy. But this is rarely true. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing as expected.

Miscarriage is a relatively common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. Take a step toward emotional healing by understanding what can cause a miscarriage, what increases the risk and what medical care might be needed.

Problems with the genes or chromosomes

Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing as expected. About 50 percent of miscarriages are associated with extra or missing chromosomes. Most often, chromosome problems result from errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows — not problems inherited from the parents.

Chromosome problems might lead to:

  • Blighted ovum. Blighted ovum occurs when no embryo forms.

  • Intrauterine fetal demise. In this situation, an embryo forms but stops developing and dies before any symptoms of pregnancy loss occur.

  • Molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. With a molar pregnancy, both sets of chromosomes come from the father. A molar pregnancy is associated with abnormal growth of the placenta; there is usually no fetal development.

A partial molar pregnancy occurs when the mother's chromosomes remain, but the father provides two sets of chromosomes. A partial molar pregnancy is usually associated with abnormalities of the placenta, and an abnormal fetus.

Molar and partial molar pregnancies are not viable pregnancies. Molar and partial molar pregnancies can sometimes be associated with cancerous changes of the placenta.

Maternal health conditions

In a few cases, a mother's health condition might lead to miscarriage. Examples include:

·       Uncontrolled diabetes

·       Infections

·       Hormonal problems

·       Uterus or cervix problems

·       Thyroid disease

Complications

Some women who miscarry develop an infection in the uterus. This is also called a septic miscarriage. Signs and symptoms of this infection include:

·       Fever

·       Chills

·       Lower abdominal tenderness

·       Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Risk Factors

Various factors increase the risk of miscarriage, including:

·       Age. Women older than age 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than do younger women. At age 35, you have about a 20 percent risk. At age 40, the risk is about 40 percent. And at age 45, it's about 80 percent.

·       Previous miscarriages. Women who have had two or more consecutive miscarriages are at higher risk of miscarriage.

·       Chronic conditions. Women who have a chronic condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, have a higher risk of miscarriage.

·       Uterine or cervical problems. Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage.

·       Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.

·       Weight. Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage.

·       Invasive prenatal tests. Some invasive prenatal genetic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, carry a slight risk of miscarriage.

Prevention?

Often, there's nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Simply focus on taking good care of yourself and your baby:

·       Seek regular prenatal care.

·       Avoid known miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use.

·       Take a daily multivitamin.

·       Limit your caffeine intake. A recent study found that drinking more than two caffeinated beverages a day appeared to be associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.

G​et a blood pregnancy test 2 weeks after your miscarriage

Take a home pregnancy test if you cannot get to the lab.

  • Call your care team if it is positive after 2 weeks.

  • You may need more testing.

 

Temperature

Take your temperature each day between 4 and 8 p.m. for 1 week.

Rest and exercise

  • Slowly start normal activity.

    • No strenuous exercise (such as running or aerobics) for 2 or 3 days

  • Your energy level may be low for the first week.

  • Naps may be helpful.

  • You may return to work as told by your care team.

Bathing

  • You may shower and wash hair.

  • You may have a tub bath.

  • No swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, or rivers for at least 2 weeks.

Diet

  • Take your prenatal vitamin.

  • Eat a balanced healthy diet.

    • Cut down on food and drinks containing sugar.

  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid each day.

  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.

Breast care

  • Your breast may be tender or feel full.

  • They may leak milk. Use breast pads to protect your clothing.

  • Wear a bra that gives good support.

  • Use ice packs under your arms and on breasts for 20 minutes every 2 hours if they are sore.

  • Take acetaminophen and ibuprofen as needed.

  • Do not stimulate or pump your breasts.

    • Avoid hot water directly hitting your breasts in the shower.

  • Cabbage leaves can help with breast pain and swelling.

    • Place green or red cabbage leaves in the refrigerator.

    • Rinse the leaves with cold water and pat dry if desired.

    • Place cold leaf in your bra on your breast.

    • Leave in place for 20 minutes or until warm.

    • Repeat with a fresh leaf as needed.

Emotions

  • Each person will feel different.

    • It may help to talk about your feelings.

  • A support group or grief and loss website may be helpful.

    Physical recovery is usually quick. Most women resume their regular activities a day or two after they pass the tissue. For some, nausea and other pregnancy symptoms stop before their ob-gyn diagnoses a miscarriage. For others, these symptoms go away a few days after the tissue passes. 

To keep your infection risk low, don’t put anything into your vagina for a week—no douching (which is never a good idea at any time), vaginal sex, tampons, or menstrual cups. You can use pads to absorb the bleeding.

 

People have different emotional reactions. Some women feel sadness or grief. Others may feel relief. Some may feel a mixture of emotions. All these feelings are normal, and it’s important to allow yourself time to process them. 

Talking about these feelings with friends, family, your doula &/or ob-gyn, or a mental health professional can help. If you feel depressed or are thinking of hurting yourself, tell your ob-gyn or another doctor right away. Support groups and resources, such as Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support, may be helpful too.