Recovery After Pregnancy Loss: Your Path to Healing
1. Early Miscarriage: Navigating the Physical Journey
When you experience an early miscarriage, the physical process resembles a heavy menstrual period. Expect bleeding with clots and stronger than usual cramping. Consult your physician for recommended pain relief.
The intense bleeding should subside within a few days and is likely to cease entirely within two weeks.
Following the cessation of bleeding, you will likely return to feeling normal quite swiftly. Your menstrual cycle should reappear within four to six weeks.
Should any of the following symptoms arise, reach out to your doctor as they could signify complications like infection, incomplete miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy:
Persistent severe cramping or cramping lasting beyond two weeks.
Heavy bleeding, equivalent to more than two maxi pads per hour for over two hours, or bleeding continuing beyond two weeks.
High fever accompanied by chills.
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Look out for symptoms of excessive blood loss such as pale, clammy skin, lightheadedness, or an elevated heart rate.
If these coincide with significant vaginal bleeding, contact 911.
2. Recovery After Nonsurgical First-Trimester Miscarriages
In cases of first-trimester pregnancy losses without surgical intervention, you might pass large blood clots, some possibly as large as golf balls. Tissue fragments and a recognizable gestational sac or embryo could also be expelled.
Expect intense cramping, potentially necessitating pain relief (consult your physician for recommendations). Although you might still experience pregnancy symptoms during bleeding, they should gradually fade.
The bleeding usually persists for one to two weeks, and your period should return within two months. Any occurrence of symptoms mentioned above (severe or prolonged cramping, heavy or prolonged bleeding, fever, or discharge) should prompt you to contact your doctor.
Your medical provider will likely recommend a RhoGAM shot if your blood type is Rh-negative, as this prevents the development of antibodies that could complicate future pregnancies.
3. Surgical Recovery: After D&C or D&E
Post D&C (dilation and curettage) or D&E (dilation and extraction), experiencing vaginal bleeding is possible but not guaranteed. Your physician will likely prescribe pain relief for cramping.
Antibiotics and/or medication to encourage uterine contraction might also be prescribed to minimize bleeding. Most women can resume normal activities within a day or two post-procedure, with a two-week recommendation to avoid tampons and sexual intercourse to prevent infection.
When to Reach Out to Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if your bleeding is heavy, cramping is severe, or either persists for more than a few days. Be mindful of signs of infection such as fever over 100.4 degrees F, chills, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, tenderness in the uterus, or unusual drowsiness. Seeking immediate medical attention for infection is crucial.
4. Vaginal Birth Loss: Navigating the Emotional and Physical Terrain
Following a stillbirth, which may have been medically induced, you could experience large blood clots and lower abdominal cramping. Using a peri-bottle post-bathroom visits might be necessary, and your physical stamina might be reduced for a few days.
Dealing with breast engorgement and a potent hormonal crash might intensify the emotional aspects of the loss. Allow yourself time to recover and be compassionate towards yourself. As with earlier losses, you may be advised to refrain from sexual intercourse and tampon use for a period of time.
Similar to miscarriage, infection is a potential concern following a vaginal stillbirth. Watch for:
Fever exceeding 100.4 degrees F.
Worsening pain instead of improvement.
Bleeding that's heavy and/or increasing, not decreasing.
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
A follow-up visit with your doctor a week or two after the loss is usually recommended. This is an opportune moment to inquire about trying again after a loss or the necessity of testing for recurrent miscarriages. Remember that coping with pregnancy loss varies for each individual—give yourself time and space to grieve.
14 days post silent miscarriage and 2 days post misoprostol and nothing has happened … My doctor wants me to try the misoprostol again and if nothing to call Friday to schedule D&E as if this isn’t hard as it is this process has been draining.
Listen I totally understand needing advice and support from other mamas.
But can we normalize explaining your issue in your post then putting the PICTURE IN THE COMMENTS for those who'd like to or are able to offer support or advice?
It's triggering and traumatic to see some of these post just there in your timeline - and we can't avoid them. Some mama's are recovering and this retraumatizes them and triggers them.
All I'm saying is post the pic of miscarriage, blood, etc. in the comments, not your main post. And offer a trigger warning so folks are prepared better. It's for the respect of the mental health of other mama's, but still can get you support you might need.
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