A miscarriage is when you lose a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Most happen in the first 12 weeks. It can feel emotionally devastating, or come as a surprise because you didn't realize that you were pregnant. Either way, know that it’s not your
fault, and it’s likely that you’ll be able to have a baby in the future. Signs of a miscarriage can include: These symptoms can happen for other reasons. But see your doctor to get checked out. Most miscarriages are due to things that are out of your
control. More than half happen because of problems with chromosomes, which hold the genes that set the baby's hair color, eye color, health, and other
features. Having too many or too few chromosomes can prevent a baby from developing normally. These problems often happen by chance. They're not caused by anything you or your partner did. Less often, one of these health
problems in the mother may make a miscarriage more likely: The age at which you get pregnant can also affect your risk. Women in their late 30s or 40s are more likely to miscarry than are younger women. But many women have healthy pregnancies well into their 30s and 40s. Many
things affect your chances of having a miscarriage. It’s often hard for your doctor to know exactly what caused your pregnancy to end. If you think you may be having a miscarriage, tell your doctor about your symptoms, including when the bleeding started, how heavy it’s been, and whether you’ve had pain or cramping. Your doctor will give you a physical exam and use an
ultrasound to check on the baby’s growth and heartbeat. You may also get a blood test to check your level of a hormone called hCG (human chorionic
gonadotropin). If your hCG level is low or is falling, it may mean that you had a miscarriage. You might need to get more than one ultrasound or hCG test to know for sure. After a miscarriage, any remaining tissue from the pregnancy should pass from your body. This may happen naturally within about 2 weeks. If the bleeding hasn't stopped after 2 weeks or if you have
an infection, your doctor can give you medicine to make your uterus expel the rest of the tissue. You will have heavy bleeding during this time, and you might have cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. You might need a procedure called dilation and curettage, or D&C. If so, the doctor will widen your cervix (the opening to your uterus) and then use gentle suction or scraping to remove the remaining tissue. The
physical recovery can take 1 or 2 months. Your period should start within 4 to 6 weeks. Don’t put anything in your body, including a tampon, and don’t have sex for about 1-2 weeks. It can take longer for you to heal emotionally, especially if you knew you were pregnant when you miscarried. You might have many different feelings, such as anger and sadness, that can last for some time. Your partner may also have
grief that takes a while to recover from. To help you manage those emotions and feel better, you may want to ask your doctor to recommend a therapist or grief counselor. You might also want to look into a support group. And lean on friends and family whom you feel comfortable telling. Most women who miscarry go on to have successful pregnancies. Ask your doctor how long you should wait before you try to get pregnant again. Some recommend waiting until you've had one to three normal periods. Make sure you also feel emotionally prepared to
get pregnant again. If you've had more than two miscarriages, you and your doctor can talk about what might be going on and the best ways to help you have a baby. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. (After 20 weeks, pregnancy loss is known as a stillbirth.) The risk of miscarriage increases as a woman ages. For some, the loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened. Common signs of a miscarriage can include:
Bleeding may be light or heavy, and it may be constant or come and go. It can sometimes be hard to know if light bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. But if you have pain along with bleeding, the chance of a miscarriage is high. Call your doctor or midwife right away if you have symptoms of a miscarriage. Getting medical advice and care can lower your chance of any problems from the miscarriage. Your doctor or midwife will check to see if you:
There is no treatment to stop a miscarriage. For many women, the body completes the miscarriage on its own. There are several treatments to help complete a miscarriage. Depending on your condition, you may be able to choose:
If your doctor or midwife is sure that your first-trimester or early second-trimester miscarriage is complete and all tissue has passed from your uterus, the bleeding is likely to taper off within about a week. Unless you have a fever or heavy bleeding, you will not need treatment. But your doctor or midwife may want to see you sometime during the next month. Compare your options
Take medicineTake medicine
Have surgeryHave surgery
Have no treatmentHave no treatment
When I learned that I was having a miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I knew right away that I needed to get through the physical process of the miscarriage as quickly as possible. This way, I could begin to emotionally cope with my loss, rather than suffering through the extra days of waiting for the miscarriage to end. I asked my doctor to do a surgical procedure right away. Claire, age 26 I actually didn't have a choice about having a surgical procedure when I miscarried, because I was bleeding so heavily. I think that I would have chosen to let my body miscarry on its own, but my midwife said that this was an urgent situation. Lucero, age 38 It was late in my first trimester when my doctor told me that I had started a miscarriage, probably a couple of weeks before. She said that this is called an "incomplete miscarriage," and that I had some choices. I could wait a little longer for bleeding to start, I could have a surgical procedure, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My family had to take care of me for a few days. And after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done. Dao, age 28 When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my doctor. She examined me and told me that I might be miscarrying, but we'd have to wait to see for sure. That was a terrible time. A couple of days later, it was clear that I was miscarrying, because I was passing some tissue. My doctor told me that I could have a surgical procedure or let the miscarriage happen on its own. I decided that the natural course of things was best for me. After a couple of weeks, the bleeding tapered off. It took me a while before I was ready to try to get pregnant again, and I met with a counsellor to help me get through those first few months. I think it helped me, though, to have gone through the slower process of physically and emotionally losing the pregnancy. Renna, age 30 What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I would rather take medicine or have surgery than wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important I want to avoid surgery if I can. Not important Somewhat important Very important I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. Not important Somewhat important Very important I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. Not important Somewhat important Very important It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important My other important reasons: Not important Somewhat important Very important Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Having surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewPatient choicesCredits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the FactsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is a miscarriage?A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. (After 20 weeks, pregnancy loss is known as a stillbirth.) The risk of miscarriage increases as a woman ages. For some, the loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened. Common signs of a miscarriage can include:
Bleeding may be light or heavy, and it may be constant or come and go. It can sometimes be hard to know if light bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. But if you have pain along with bleeding, the chance of a miscarriage is high. What should you do if you are or might be miscarrying?Call your doctor or midwife right away if you have symptoms of a miscarriage. Getting medical advice and care can lower your chance of any problems from the miscarriage. Your doctor or midwife will check to see if you:
How is a miscarriage treated?There is no treatment to stop a miscarriage. For many women, the body completes the miscarriage on its own. There are several treatments to help complete a miscarriage. Depending on your condition, you may be able to choose:
If your doctor or midwife is sure that your first-trimester or early second-trimester miscarriage is complete and all tissue has passed from your uterus, the bleeding is likely to taper off within about a week. Unless you have a fever or heavy bleeding, you will not need treatment. But your doctor or midwife may want to see you sometime during the next month. 2. Compare your options
Personal storiesPersonal stories about miscarriage treatmentThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "When I learned that I was having a miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I knew right away that I needed to get through the physical process of the miscarriage as quickly as possible. This way, I could begin to emotionally cope with my loss, rather than suffering through the extra days of waiting for the miscarriage to end. I asked my doctor to do a surgical procedure right away." — Claire, age 26 "I actually didn't have a choice about having a surgical procedure when I miscarried, because I was bleeding so heavily. I think that I would have chosen to let my body miscarry on its own, but my midwife said that this was an urgent situation." — Lucero, age 38 "It was late in my first trimester when my doctor told me that I had started a miscarriage, probably a couple of weeks before. She said that this is called an "incomplete miscarriage," and that I had some choices. I could wait a little longer for bleeding to start, I could have a surgical procedure, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My family had to take care of me for a few days. And after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done." — Dao, age 28 "When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my doctor. She examined me and told me that I might be miscarrying, but we'd have to wait to see for sure. That was a terrible time. A couple of days later, it was clear that I was miscarrying, because I was passing some tissue. My doctor told me that I could have a surgical procedure or let the miscarriage happen on its own. I decided that the natural course of things was best for me. After a couple of weeks, the bleeding tapered off. It took me a while before I was ready to try to get pregnant again, and I met with a counsellor to help me get through those first few months. I think it helped me, though, to have gone through the slower process of physically and emotionally losing the pregnancy." — Renna, age 30 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I would rather take medicine or have surgery than wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important I want to avoid surgery if I can. Not important Somewhat important Very important I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. Not important Somewhat important Very important I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. Not important Somewhat important Very important It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important My other important reasons: Not important Somewhat important Very important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Having surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. If I have a miscarriage, I will have to get treatment with medicine or surgery.
That's right. A miscarriage often completes on its own. 2. I may need to have surgery even if I wait or take medicine.
You're right. You may need surgery if waiting or medicine doesn't work. 3. If I have heavy bleeding or an infection, surgery is my best choice.
You're right. You may need surgery if you have heavy bleeding or an infection. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. How will I know if miscarriage is complete?If you have a miscarriage in your first trimester, you may choose to wait 7 to 14 days after a miscarriage for the tissue to pass out naturally. This is called expectant management. If the pain and bleeding have lessened or stopped completely during this time, this usually means the miscarriage has finished.
How long does a miscarriage take once bleeding starts?A Miscarriage Can Take Several Days
The miscarriage bleeding may begin as light spotting and then progress to a heavier flow with clots after a few days. You may have some level of bleeding for up to two weeks, although it should not remain heavy for that entire time.
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How long does the miscarriage process take
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