Passing tissue during miscarriage

What Happens After a Miscarriage? An Ob-Gyn Discusses the Options.

Miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy that’s in the uterus, is common. It happens in about 1 in 10 women who know they’re pregnant. But many people don’t know what to expect afterward.

The vast majority of miscarriages happen in the first trimester, before 13 weeks of pregnancy. Most occur before 10 weeks. In this article, I’ll discuss the treatment options for first-trimester miscarriage, also called early pregnancy loss. Second-trimester miscarriage usually requires different treatments.

Here’s what to know about care and recovery.

There are three main treatments for early pregnancy loss. The goal for all three is to remove any pregnancy tissue left in the uterus. There are two nonsurgical treatments: expectant management (letting the tissue pass on its own) and medication. The third treatment is a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (also known as D&C or suction curettage).

In many cases, patients can choose the option they prefer.

Expectant management is giving your body time to pass the tissue on its own. This doesn’t involve medication or surgery. Some women choose this because it’s the most natural option, but it is more unpredictable than other treatments.

Most women pass the tissue within 2 weeks of a miscarriage diagnosis, but it can take longer. If it takes too long, your ob-gyn may recommend medication to start the process. (Once the process starts and cramping and bleeding begin, most of the tissue passes within a few hours. More on that below.)

Sometimes, the body doesn’t pass all the tissue. When this happens, another treatment is recommended, usually a D&C. Expectant management is most likely to work when you already have some bleeding and cramping. This means your body has begun the process of passing the tissue.

Medication works faster and is more predictable. Some women choose medication that helps their body remove any leftover tissue. These drugs are absorbed through the cheek in the mouth or through the vagina. Cramping or bleeding usually starts within a few hours. Most women pass the tissue within 48 hours and don’t need any other treatment. (Some women may still not pass all the tissue and may need a surgical procedure.)

Medication gives you more control over the timing of the tissue passing. And it’s often quicker than waiting for the tissue to pass on its own.

Some women like to take the medication in the morning, so the process doesn’t start overnight. And some women like to have a support person, such as a friend or family member, with them when they take the medication.

You’ll have a similar experience whether the tissue passes on its own or you take medication. You’ll have bleeding and cramping that are heavier than your normal period. The pregnancy tissue may look like large blood clots, or it may look white or gray. It does not look like a baby. The process can be painful, and ob-gyns may prescribe medication to help with this discomfort. Your ob-gyn may also suggest over-the-counter pain medication. Talk with your ob-gyn about pain relief options.

Most of the tissue passes within 2 to 4 hours after the cramping and bleeding start. Cramping usually stops within a day. Light bleeding or spotting can go on for 4 to 6 weeks. Two weeks after the tissue passes, your ob-gyn may do an ultrasound exam or other tests to make sure all the tissue has passed.

A D&C is the most predictable treatment. During a D&C, your ob-gyn passes a small tool through the cervix and into the uterus to remove the tissue. Some women choose this option because they want a faster, more certain treatment. And if you’re already bleeding heavily, it’s the safest option.

Some ob-gyns do D&Cs in an operating room using general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep. Some offer a form of pain relief called sedation, where you will be awake but comfortable. Others do the procedure in a normal exam room, with an injection of drugs that block pain in a specific area. Women often have some bleeding and intense cramping during a D&C. They usually have little discomfort afterward.

Light spotting or bleeding can last up to a month. An antibiotic is prescribed to prevent infection. Other complications are rare, and most women don’t need any follow-up appointments.

Whichever option you choose, call your ob-gyn if you have very heavy bleeding, a fever, or feel unwell. Dangerous bleeding and infection are a risk of all treatments, but these problems are rare. Call your ob-gyn right away if you have any of these symptoms:

Your bleeding soaks through more than two large pads in an hour for 2 hours or more. This much bleeding is dangerous and needs immediate care.
You have a temperature higher than 100 °F.
You have chills, severe pain, or any other symptoms that concern you.

Physical recovery is usually quick. Most women resume their regular activities a day or two after they pass the tissue or have a D&C. 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. Most women have their first period about 2 weeks after any spotting or light bleeding ends, which is usually about 2 to 3 months after you pass the tissue or have a D&C.

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 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.

Miscarriage isn’t your fault. Women often worry that they somehow caused their miscarriage. This is not the case. Physical activity, stress, and sex don’t cause miscarriages. Most happen because the pregnancy wasn’t developing normally. Often, the egg or sperm develops with more or fewer chromosomes than normal, which can lead to miscarriage. This is a random event that you cannot control.

Most women can have a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage. Talk with your ob-gyn if you have concerns. Your ob-gyn can help ease your fears, answer any questions, and talk about preparing for your next pregnancy.

Published: June 2022

Last reviewed: June 2022

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.

Miscarriage - what you might actually see and feel

Miscarriage - what you might actually see and feel | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

7-minute read

Listen

WARNING — This article contains some graphic descriptions of what you might see during a miscarriage.

A miscarriage requires prompt medical care. If you think you are having a miscarriage, call your doctor or midwife for advice and support. Go to the Emergency Department if:

you are bleeding very heavily (soaking more than 2 pads per hour or passing clots larger than golf balls)
you have severe pain in your tummy or shoulder
you have a fever (a temperature above 38 degrees C)
you are dizzy, fainting or feel like fainting
you notice fluid coming from your vagina that smells bad
you have diarrhoea or pain when you have a bowel motion (do a poo)

Miscarriage is a very unfortunate and sad outcome of pregnancy that takes a significant emotional and physical toll on a woman. It also happens more frequently than many people think. It's important to recognise that there's no right or wrong way to feel about a miscarriage.

Despite close to one in 5 pregnancies ending in miscarriage, what actually happens and what a woman needs to know and do when faced with a possible miscarriage are subjects that rarely get discussed.

This article aims to give you an idea of what happens and what a woman needs to know and do at different stages in her pregnancy.

Please call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 if you have any concerns or wish to discuss the topic further.

What might I feel during a miscarriage?

Many women have a miscarriage early in their pregnancy without even realising it. They may just think they are having a heavy period. If this happens to you, you might have cramping, heavier bleeding than normal, pain in the tummy, pelvis or back, and feel weak. If you have started spotting, remember that this is normal in many pregnancies — but talk to your doctor or midwife to be safe and for your own peace of mind.

Later in your pregnancy, you might notice signs like cramping pain, bleeding or passing fluid and blood clots from your vagina. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may pass tissue that looks more like a fetus, or a fully-formed baby.

In some types of miscarriage, you might not have any symptoms at all — the miscarriage might not be discovered until your next ultrasound. Or you might just notice your morning sickness and breast tenderness have gone.

It is normal to feel very emotional and upset when you realise you’re having a miscarriage. It can take a while to process what is happening. Make sure you have someone with you, for support, and try to be kind to yourself.

What happens during a miscarriage?

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to stop a miscarriage once it has started. Any treatment is to prevent heavy bleeding or an infection.

Your doctor might advise you that no treatment is necessary. This is called 'expectant management', and you just wait to see what will happen. Eventually, the pregnancy tissue (the fetus or baby, pregnancy sac and placenta) will pass naturally. This can take a few days or as long as 3 to 4 weeks.

It can be very hard emotionally to wait for the miscarriage because you don’t know when it will happen. When it starts, you will notice spotting and cramping and then, fairly quickly, you will start bleeding heavily. The cramps will get worse until they feel like contractions, and you will pass the pregnancy tissue.

Some women opt to have medicine to speed up the process. In this case, the pregnancy tissue is likely to pass within a few hours.

If not all the tissue passes naturally or you have signs of infection, you may need to have a small operation called a ‘dilatation and curettage’ (D&C). You may need to wait some time for your hospital appointment. The operation only takes 5 to 10 minutes under general anaesthetic, and you will be able to go home the same day.

While you are waiting for a miscarriage to finish, it’s best to rest at home — but you can go to work if you feel up to it. Do what feels right for you. You can use paracetamol for any pain. If you are bleeding, use sanitary pads rather than tampons.

What might I see during a miscarriage?

In the first month of pregnancy, the developing embryo is the size of a grain of rice so it is very hard to see. You may pass a blood clot or several clots from your vagina, and there may be some white or grey tissue in the clots. The bleeding will settle down in a few days, although it can take up to 2 weeks.

At 6 weeks

Most women can’t see anything recognisable when they have a miscarriage at this time. During the bleeding, you may see clots with a small sac filled with fluid. The embryo, which is about the size of the fingernail on your little finger, and a placenta might be seen inside the sac. You might also notice something that looks like an umbilical cord.

At 8 weeks

The tissue you pass may look dark red and shiny — some women describe it as looking like liver. You might find a sac with an embryo inside, about the size of a small bean. If you look closely, you might be able to see where the eyes, arms and legs were forming.

At 10 weeks

The clots that are passed are dark red and look like jelly. They might have what looks like a membrane inside, which is part of the placenta. The sac will be inside one of the clots. At this time, the developing baby is usually fully formed but still tiny and difficult to see.

At 12 to 16 weeks

If you miscarry now, you might notice water coming out of your vagina first, followed by some bleeding and clots. The fetus will be tiny and fully formed. If you see the baby it might be outside the sac by now. It might also be attached to the umbilical cord and the placenta.

From 16 to 20 weeks

This is often called a 'late miscarriage'. You might pass large shiny red clots that look like liver as well as other pieces of tissue that look and feel like membrane. It might be painful and feel just like labour, and you might need pain relief in hospital. Your baby will be fully formed and can fit on the palm of your hand.

After the miscarriage

You will have some cramping pain and bleeding after the miscarriage, similar to a period. It will gradually get lighter and will usually stop within 2 weeks.

The signs of your pregnancy, such as nausea and tender breasts, will fade in the days after the miscarriage. If you had a late miscarriage, your breasts might produce some milk. You will probably have your next period in 4 to 6 weeks.

Remember, it’ll be normal to feel very emotional and upset at this time.

More information

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:

KidsHealth (Understanding miscarriage), The Royal Women's Hospital (Treating miscarriage), Pink Elephants Support Network (Sorry for your loss), Women’s and Children’s Health Network (Miscarriage), Patient.com (Miscarriage and bleeding in early pregnancy), Pink Elephants Support Network (Treatments and procedures), New Kids Center (Blood Clots of Miscarriage: What It Looks Like?), Babycenter Australia (Understanding late miscarriage)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2022

Fathers and miscarriage
Emotional support after miscarriage
What happens after miscarriage
Miscarriage
Experiencing a pregnancy loss

Need more information?

Miscarriage

Miscarriage Despite being common and widespread, miscarriage can be a heartbreaking experience – with up to one in five pregnancies ending before week 20

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the loss of a baby, usually during the first three months or first trimester of pregnancy.

Fathers and miscarriage

A miscarriage can be a time of great sadness for the father as well as the mother.

Emotional support after miscarriage

It is important to know that there is no right or wrong way to feel after experiencing a miscarriage.

What happens after miscarriage

There are a number of things you may need to consider after a miscarriage.

Miscarriage | SANDS - MISCARRIAGE STILLBIRTH NEWBORN DEATH SUPPORT

Helping you understand the complex range of emotions you may experience during fertility treatment or after miscarriage or early pregnancy loss

Miscarriage: a guide for men | Raising Children Network

This Dads Guide to Pregnancy covers miscarriage, the grief men might experience after miscarriage, and how to support partners after pregnancy loss.

The Pink Elephants Support Network - Medical Options for Recurrent Miscarriage

In some cases, a medical reason for miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage can be found through testing

New research on vitamin B3 and miscarriages

Pregnant women are being warned not to start taking vitamin B3 supplements, despite a recent study that suggests it might reduce the risk of miscarriages and birth defects.

Pregnancy: miscarriage & stillbirth | Raising Children Network

Have you experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth? Find articles and videos about coping with the grief of losing a pregnancy or having a stillbirth.

Disclaimer

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
OK
Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Contact us

About us

A-Z topics

Symptom Checker

Service Finder

Linking to us

Information partners

Terms of use

Privacy

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.
The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

Chrome by Google

Firefox by Mozilla

Microsoft Edge

Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

What to do after a miscarriage

If a woman has a miscarriage, it is important to take competent measures to restore health. This will help to cope mentally and prepare the ground for a new pregnancy. According to medical statistics, 15-20% of pregnancies end in spontaneous termination for various reasons. The symptoms of what happened rarely go unnoticed, which makes it possible to diagnose the pathology in time, consult a gynecologist, undergo adequate treatment and plan the birth of a child for the future.

Specialists classify spontaneous abortion into two categories:

1. Termination of biochemical pregnancy - the embryo leaves the uterine cavity in the first or third weeks after conception. A woman during this period most often does not suspect that she is carrying a child. Pregnancy becomes known only when testing for the content of hCG in the urine and blood. The blood that has left the body is usually perceived as menstruation, which, for unknown reasons, began outside the scheduled time. Units who carefully monitor their health go to the doctor.

2. Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage in early pregnancy - up to 22 weeks, when the weight of the embryo does not reach 0.4 kg.

What is a miscarriage like? If parts of the fetus remain in the uterus, they speak of an incomplete miscarriage, which occurs more often in the early stages of pregnancy. To neutralize the negative consequences, to prevent the development of an infectious process in the tissues, the product of conception is evacuated from the uterine cavity by the methods of medical interruption, gynecological curettage, and vacuum aspiration.
Therapy may include the use of drugs aimed at contracting the uterus and pushing the contents out. Ultrasound examination is considered to be the control method of diagnostics.

Why the body rejects the embryo

The causes of miscarriage often lie in the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Among the factors provoking rejection of embryos are also:

Heredity and genetic failure at the stage of fertilization of the egg by the sperm.

A non-viable fetus may appear as a result of various risk factors - environmental conditions, occupational hazards, viral illness of parents. It is impossible to neutralize these factors. The only way out of the situation is to reduce the likelihood of their manifestation by protecting the expectant mother from dangers during gestation.

Hormonal imbalance caused by disruption of the endocrine system. The situation can be affected by an insufficient amount of progesterone in the mother's body or an excess of testosterone. With early detection of a failure of the hormonal system, a woman undergoes specially organized therapy before pregnancy.

The presence of tumors , neoplasms in the pelvic organs.

Isthmic-cervical insufficiency when the isthmus and cervix dilate prematurely, unable to cope with the increasing pressure caused by the growing fetus in the body.

There is a risk of miscarriage in the presence of anomalies in the work of the cardiovascular and renal systems.

Drug addiction , alcohol addiction, substance abuse of mother and father.

Depressive conditions , stress, nervous stress of a pregnant woman.

Mechanical stress , blows, bruises, excessive physical labor of the future woman in labor.

X-ray examination - radiation can cause miscarriage.

Drug use . In the first trimester, you can not use potent medicinal formulas. Drugs can cause the development of defects in the embryo. Some decoctions of herbs are also contraindicated - parsley, tansy, cornflower, nettle, St. John's wort. It is forbidden to self-medicate. Each drug is agreed with the attending physician.

Infectious and viral process in the body. Any sexually transmitted infection can provoke a miscarriage, which must be cured before pregnancy, otherwise there is a high risk of infection of the fetus in the womb. A great threat of miscarriage in the early stages exists due to viral infections and inflammation of the internal organs. A dangerous symptom is the high temperature of the mother, accompanied by intoxication of the body. At the stage of pregnancy planning, it is important to stop chronic diseases.

History of abortion , unsuccessful surgery, unprofessionalism of the doctor and unfortunate circumstances.

Immunological factors .

The list of causes of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy and in the later period may be more extensive, in each case, doctors identify the pathology individually.

Isthmic-cervical insufficiency (ICI)

One of the most common causes of spontaneous miscarriage during pregnancy is CCI - dilatation of the cervix and isthmus of the uterus as a result of increasing pressure from the growing fetus. Pre-pregnancy manipulations with the uterus (cervical dilation due to abortion, childbirth or curettage) affect the condition of the muscle ring. Damaged areas are tightened by scar tissue that does not have elasticity, is not amenable to stretching and contraction. ICI also has a functional nature when there is a hormonal imbalance.

ICI occurs in the period from the 11th to the 27th week after conception, when the embryo begins to produce androgens in the mother's body with the launch of the adrenal glands. Taking into account the mother's hormones, their indicator can be exceeded - this softens the cervix, opens and shortens it. Harmful bacteria and microorganisms penetrate into the formed channel, infecting the fetal egg. The initial stages of ICI do not have obvious symptoms, since they do not entail the tone of the uterine muscles. With the loss of strength of the membranes, amniotic fluid pours out. There are no pain sensations.

If a woman has had a miscarriage that started with amniotic fluid, she should report it to her doctor when monitoring a subsequent pregnancy.

Treatment of isthmic-cervical insufficiency

Endocrine disorders are corrected by prescribing hormonal drugs. An assessment of the condition of the uterus is carried out by a doctor a couple of weeks after the start of taking medications. They say about positive dynamics when the opening is suspended and no further expansion of the neck is observed. In the absence of the planned effect, surgical intervention is prescribed. Similar measures are used for the traumatic nature of the neck deformity. You should not be afraid of the operation, the doctor acts delicately, without causing additional injuries to the patient, without causing discomfort to the baby growing in the womb. The procedure is most effective in the early stages of pregnancy. Suturing can significantly reduce the risk of infection of the embryo through the lower edge of the cavity.

Surgical intervention takes place in a hospital. Before the operation, the pregnant woman is examined. After the procedure, the vagina is sanitized, for which the suturing site is treated with chlorhexidine and furatsilin for three days. The patient needs to undergo a weekly follow-up examination with the attending physician, where he assesses the situation, making adjustments to the therapeutic protocol if necessary. The sutures are removed at the 38th week of pregnancy. During this time, the neck matures, preparing the birth canal for the passage of the fetus. Many women in labor worry that they will need a caesarean section if they have stitches, but this is not true. In most cases, women give birth on their own.

Immediate action is recommended if the amniotic sac prolapses (falls out) into the cervix between 16 and 24 weeks. The suturing of the neck obliges the woman to observe bed rest, strictly follow the daily routine, avoid physical exertion, and do not skip taking medications. In rare cases, complications occur. Among them, the eruption of sutures through the tissues, provoked by the frequent tension of the muscles of the uterus. To prevent tone, tocolytics are prescribed - medicines to prevent premature birth. The expectant mother should be prepared for frequent examinations and smears, which may be caused by the likelihood of accumulation of pathological microflora on the suture threads.

It is also important to conduct psychological therapy, where a woman is taught relaxation techniques. The behavior of the future mother is a decisive factor in the successful bearing of the fetus in case of pregnancy complications. Panic and fuss create an unfavorable prognosis in stabilizing the situation. If a spontaneous abortion occurred for reasons of ICI, when you can get pregnant after a miscarriage, the doctor will say. Ideally, the period should be at least two years. The specialist must also take measures to prevent a repeated situation of losing a child.

In addition to the suture, ICI correction is also carried out using an obstetric pessary. An alternative method is the imposition of a special ring of hypoallergenic materials on the cervix. Silicone is the most commonly used. The ring creates additional support, preventing the opening of the neck.

Uterine hypertonicity - risk prevention

Uterine contractions before natural delivery is called hypertonicity. The condition is not an independent disease, it signals a malfunction in the body, often manifesting itself in the early stages of pregnancy. The causes of the pathological phenomenon are:

Hormonal disorders caused by insufficient function of the placenta, ovaries, problems with the adrenal glands, causing imbalance.

Genital infantilism , organ defects.

Neoplasms , tumors in the uterus that are not necessarily malignant (eg, fibroids).

During pregnancy infectious processes, viral diseases.

CCI - opening of the cervix under increasing pressure created by the growing embryo.

Immunological problems .

Chronic diseases of the body (cardiovascular disorders, renal insufficiency).

Past miscarriages early pregnancy, symptoms of which may recur, induced abortions.

In addition to physiological causes, psychological factors are of no small importance. A woman who is in a depressed state can provoke hypertonicity in herself.

You can feel the tension of the muscles of the uterus on your own, without the help of a specialist. This is evidenced by the heaviness that appears in the lower abdomen, pulling pains in the lumbar region. Symptoms are similar to painful menstruation. Arising in the first trimester, the condition provokes spontaneous abortion, missed pregnancy, death of the fetal egg. In the subsequent period, premature birth due to hypertonicity is likely.

Why does the tension of the walls of the uterus cause irreversible consequences? The reason is the disturbed blood supply to the placental tissues, the occurrence of hypoxia of the embryo and the slowdown in the development of the emerging child. Following the contraction of the muscles of the uterus, the placenta does not contract, which causes its detachment and provoking the release of the fetal bladder.

Hypertonicity is diagnosed during a scheduled visit to a specialist. Stabilization of the situation requires the appointment of sedative drugs and antispasmodics. A strengthening effect is provided by therapy with the inclusion of vitamin B6, magnesium. In most cases, the measures taken are sufficient to neutralize the risks. Self-treatment, which can cause irreversible consequences, is strictly prohibited. With hypertonicity, the main rule for a pregnant woman is calmness and lack of physical activity. Some women who have had a successful delivery say they "didn't get up" during their entire pregnancy. With hypertonicity, sexual intercourse is also excluded.

If the threat cannot be neutralized, hospitalization is recommended. It is especially dangerous when severe cramping pain is complemented by spotting. To lie down "for preservation" is an adequate measure in the struggle for the birth of a healthy and strong baby. In the hospital walls, a pregnant woman is prescribed a vaginal examination, ultrasound. If necessary, a woman takes urine and blood tests, checks the hormonal background, and is examined for the presence of STIs.

At the onset of labor activity before the 34th week, the condition is tried to be stabilized with tocolytics. The most dangerous period is from the 25th to the 28th week, when the woman is recommended the maximum possible bed rest. After that, the fetus has every chance of survival. In order to quickly form the pulmonary system of the embryo, allowing it to survive with an early birth, hormones are prescribed.

Having an unfavorable prognosis for miscarriage and the threat of miscarriage, it is necessary to take up prevention at the stage of conception planning.

Stages of spontaneous abortion

There are certain signs that attract attention and divide the course of a miscarriage into specific stages:

Threat - having noticed factors threatening pregnancy, you can take measures to restore the situation, normalize the mother's well-being.

Start of abortion - at this stage, the doctor can apply life-saving manipulations and give recommendations to the pregnant woman.

Miscarriage in progress – the condition is irreversible, it is impossible to stop the pathology. The death of the fetal egg begins, which leaves the uterine cavity.

Completed abortion - the uterus gets rid of the residual tissues of the embryo, cleanses, restores its original parameters. It is important to prevent the remnants of foreign fibers inside, otherwise the organ becomes infected with decaying residues and toxins go into the bloodstream.

Symptoms of a miscarriage - how not to miss the threat

If there is a threat of miscarriage in the early stages, the following symptoms may occur: The pain may be monotonous or come in waves.
Slow bleeding opens, the signs of which are reduced to brownish spotting. Bright scarlet blood can stand out, it is often confused with menstruation.

Uterine tone .

A woman who does not know how an early miscarriage occurs should listen to her inner state.

Should alert:

spasmodic pain impulses;

Drawing pain in the lumbar region.

In the later stages, the above symptoms are added:

liquid discharge from the vagina, which may indicate damage to the amniotic sac;

pain when urinating;

internal bleeding, which warns of a deterioration in the general condition, fainting, dizziness, pallor of the skin. All this is an indication for emergency hospitalization of a pregnant woman.

The beginning of an abortion is characterized by more pronounced symptoms of miscarriage - contraction-like pain, severe dizziness, loss of strength. Instead of smearing discharges, clot-like ones appear, abundantly manifested during movement. Pregnancy can be saved if the area of detachment of the fetal egg is small and the fetal heartbeat is determined.

The third stage is useless for saving the fetus. There is girdle pain in the lower back and abdomen. Together with abundant blood loss, a fetal egg comes out of the uterus. Incomplete miscarriage requires curettage of the uterine cavity if parts of the embryo or membranes of the fetal egg remain in it, otherwise there is a high risk of complications that will endanger the life of the mother.

In rare cases, complications and serious health consequences can occur after a spontaneous abortion. But in the majority of situations, the body independently copes with what happened, expelling the parts remaining in the uterine cavity with a natural contraction of the muscles. An early spontaneous miscarriage does not always occur, a dangerous condition can also occur in the later stages. Some women try to provoke the release of the fetus with decoctions of herbs and medications. This is fraught with complications, including sepsis, dysfunction of the reproductive organs, after which pregnancy becomes impossible.

Methods of diagnosis

The symptoms of a threatened miscarriage at an early stage will be determined by a doctor during a visit to the antenatal clinic. The specialist will check the size of the uterus, determine the tone of its muscles, the condition of the cervix, and examine the discharge from the genital organs. A reliable method to identify the existing threat is transvaginal ultrasound diagnostics. The doctor draws attention to segmental muscle contractions of the uterus, detachment of the fetal egg. Genetic testing will help analyze the likely causes of a miscarriage. The patient's history is carefully collected.

Medical therapy

Any method is useful to maintain pregnancy. A qualified doctor develops an individual treatment protocol based on the available diagnostic data. Drugs used may include:

sedatives;

restorative therapy;

hormone stabilizing drugs;

uterine antispasmodics;

vitamin and mineral supplements.

The specialist eliminates the threat of miscarriage in the early stages, tells how to prevent a relapse. In the later stages, the cervix is fixed with a special suturing (usually for a period of 16-25 weeks, if there is an ICI).

In case of an unsuccessful attempt to stop a spontaneous abortion, the following treatment tactics are used:

Waiting - an organism that has freed itself from an embryo does not require specialized treatment.

Drug therapy - the patient is prescribed drugs that complete the removal of foreign tissues from the body. By causing severe spasms of the muscular walls of the uterus, the tablets provoke the expulsion of residues from the cavity.

Surgery - is used in case of complications or inconvenient for the independent exit of the fetus, the bending of the uterus.

Curettage

Having symptoms of a miscarriage in early pregnancy and faced with the need for a curettage (gynecological cleansing), a woman worries about the state of her reproductive system. It is not worth doing this, the operation takes place in a gentle mode, with maximum delicacy in relation to the patient's childbearing ability. Curettage is performed when there is a risk of incomplete exit of the embryo from the uterine cavity and the development of infection in the pelvic organs due to the elements remaining in it. Ignoring the procedure can lead to blood poisoning and the formation of a pathology that prevents re-conception.

Vacuum aspiration, however, is performed more frequently, which is more gentle. The complex application of the method with hysteroscopy allows you to carefully examine the internal contents of the uterus in order to prevent poorly cleaned areas on the mucous membrane.

Preparation for gynecological cleaning (curettage)

Gynecological cleaning is carried out for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for various indications :

after childbirth;

in missed pregnancy, miscarriages;

for menstrual irregularities;

for accurate diagnosis of gynecological disorders.

Curettage is recommended a few days before the onset of menstruation. In this case, blood loss decreases and a favorable prognosis is given for rapid tissue recovery. The operation requires a preliminary examination, testing. This is :

complete blood count;

blood coagulation test;

smear for examination of the bacteriological environment;

analysis for STIs.

Before curettage, you stop taking any medications, dietary supplements that have not been discussed with a specialist. Even plant components that can affect blood clotting and provoke blood loss during surgery can be dangerous. Your healthcare provider should be made aware of the medications you are taking so that they know what risks may arise.

Rules for preparing for the procedure:

refrain from sexual intercourse three days before the operation;

avoid the use of intimate hygiene products (gels, creams, ointments, liquids), suppositories, tablets and vaginal sprays;

Do not douche;

Do not eat or drink 10 hours before surgery. This is necessary for high-quality anesthesia.

Cleaning

Curettage is carried out in a hospital, the woman is placed on the gynecological chair of the operating room. The doctor removes the upper layer of the mucous lining the uterine cavity from the inside. The exclusion of pain involves anesthesia. If there were signs of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy or at a later period, after which it spontaneously terminated, the dilated cervix allows for curettage without anesthesia. For anesthesia, intravenous administration of the drug is used, selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body. A few seconds after the injection, the woman falls into a shallow sleep, the discomfort disappears, which makes the doctor's actions painless.

A dilator inserted into the cervix straightens the walls of the organ, facilitating access to the internal cavity. Holding the neck, the specialist inserts a rounded probe with a small diameter, after which he replaces it with a more voluminous analogue. A special video camera attached to the end of the probe allows for hysteroscopy - examination of the cavity before curettage. Cleaning is done with a curette, shaped like a small spoon on a long handle. Carefully collected tissues are stored in a specialized sterile tube, which is later sent to the laboratory for histological examination.

The procedure rarely takes more than one hour, usually 20 minutes is enough for the doctor. Together with the cavity, the cervical canal is cleaned. Manipulations are called RDV - separate diagnostic curettage. Collected samples are placed separately. Histology is used to identify the structure of tissues in order to exclude the presence of atypical cells in them, indicating cancerous lesions, precancerous conditions. The study is carried out within two weeks, after receiving the results, the woman revisits the gynecologist for a follow-up examination.

Curettage is often carried out for diagnostic purposes to determine the symptoms of pathological conditions in the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system. These can be:

irregular cycle;

voluminous discharge and painful menstruation;

bleeding during menopause;

difficulties in conceiving in the absence of visible causes of pathology;

suggestion of developing uterine cancer.

Possible complications

Complications can occur, as after any surgical intervention. A serious consequence is the discovery of uterine bleeding. In order to prevent it, oxytocin is used - injections stimulate the cessation of abnormal blood flow. Oxytocin will help if the bleeding is due to insufficient contraction of the uterus. In violation of blood clotting, it is ineffective.

Another complication of is hematometra, when blood clots accumulate in the uterine cavity, which can cause an inflammatory process in the tissues. It is caused by a spasm of the cervix that occurred immediately after cleaning, which interferes with the evacuation of blood. Experts recommend the use of antispasmodics that relax the muscles of the organ and contribute to the normal outflow of blood. A woman should be alerted by pulling pains in the lower abdomen and a sharp cessation of discharge.

After cleansing, endometritis may occur when inflammation affects the lining of the uterus. A measure of therapy for a dangerous diagnosis is a course of antibiotics. Pain in the abdomen and a sharp increase in body temperature testify to the pathology. Any dangerous change in condition should be reported to the doctor immediately. In this case, countermeasures will be taken in a timely manner, which will eliminate the risks of developing more formidable complications.

How to behave after a miscarriage

A miscarriage that has occurred requires a certain tactic of behavior. Among the measures recommended by doctors:

It is advisable to postpone a new pregnancy attempt for 3-6 months . Otherwise, the risk of repeating the undesirable development of events is high. If pregnancy occurs before the expiration date, there is no need to panic. The main thing is the supervision of a specialist.

If you are waiting for , ask for advice on effective contraception.

Follow your doctor's advice .

Complete the required examinations , get tested.

Consult what effect the medicines you take will have on the fetus if you become pregnant during therapy. Find out after what period of time you can fearlessly try to conceive a child.

How to detect genetic pathologies during repeated pregnancy

If a miscarriage of the first pregnancy occurs due to a genetic factor, it is especially scary to decide on a second one. But you should not be afraid of this, with a well-designed therapy, the chances of success are more than great. Diagnostic procedures today are highly accurate and allow you to identify pathology in the early stages. Examination in this case is mandatory, as well as the following:

who are over 35;

has screening changes;

who had markers of chromosomal pathologies and malformations of the embryo;

who already have children with chromosomal abnormalities.

Ultrasound diagnostics can detect malformations in 80-85% of cases. However, the technology is not impeccably reliable, as it misses pathologies in 20% of situations. Biochemical screening, invasive examinations have valid data. The latest version of the study allows you to identify up to 99% anomalies. No less popular is the high-precision PANORAMA test for determining DNA pathologies.

When planning a new pregnancy, it is imperative to visit a geneticist. Screening diagnostics for the detection of abnormal genes will help eliminate the risks of possible pathologies, the factor of heredity and genetic failure during conception. Sometimes the threat of miscarriage in the early stages exists in almost healthy carriers. The examination will allow you to find out about the anomaly in advance and undergo treatment.

Planning a new pregnancy

The medical community is unanimous in the issue of planning a new pregnancy after a spontaneous abortion. Conception is not recommended for at least 3-6 months. During this period, the woman's body will recover and gain strength to bear the fetus. Observation by a doctor, harmonization of hormonal levels, examination of parents to identify possible pathologies are important. In order not to become pregnant in the first months, it is recommended to use contraceptive methods prescribed by your doctor.

Examination after a miscarriage includes blood and urine tests, examination of the microflora of the vagina with a smear, detection of overt and latent genital infections, glucose and hormone testing, examination of partners for biological compatibility. Planning is an important step towards having a healthy baby. After the studies, the woman is prescribed strengthening therapy. It is important to completely reconsider eating habits, to exclude factors that are harmful to well-being. Vitamins, folic acid are used. Fast food, food containing carcinogens and preservatives are excluded from the diet. Subject to the rules recommended by the doctor, a successful pregnancy with a favorable outcome is likely.

It is not uncommon for a pregnancy test to show two lines after a miscarriage. This is due to the restructuring of the body, the organs of the reproductive system. It is important to report the incident to your doctor. The presence of remnants of embryonic tissue in the uterus can provoke a positive test result. In this case, immediate curettage is necessary, which neutralizes the risk of inflammation and infection. To accurately determine her condition, a woman needs to undergo an ultrasound diagnosis, take tests to determine hCG in the blood.

The question of whether it is possible to get pregnant after a miscarriage worries many parents. The answer is unequivocal - yes, if you follow the recommendations of experts, carefully plan a new conception, monitor your well-being and state of your health.

Components of success after a miscarriage

Spontaneous abortion can provoke not only the health of the patient, but non-compliance with simple rules can become a threat. To reduce the risk of losing a child during pregnancy, required:

1. Keep calm - it is important for a mother to exclude from her life all the factors that make her nervous. Irritation is not the best way to normalize the condition. In order to stabilize the emotional background, rest is recommended, the use of soothing teas with the permission of the doctor. Good results are given by decoctions of chamomile, lemon balm, mint.

2. Avoid taking unnecessary medicines and preparations. But it is unacceptable to stop the therapy prescribed by the doctor on your own. Each step must be discussed with the gynecologist.

3. Eliminate harmful occupational factors. Work in the chemical industry and other hazardous facilities can create an undesirable background in the body, which prevents normal gestation. It is important to understand what is of great value to the mother - the birth of a healthy baby or a career factor. Many refuse to work to increase the chance of having a baby.

4. Eliminate bad habits. It is unacceptable for a woman who has experienced miscarriage to drink alcohol and smoke. It is forbidden to do this and the future father. This negatively affects the quality of spermatozoa, provokes difficulties with conception and risks of deviations in the development of the embryo.

5. Take vitamin complexes, specially designed to prepare the body for pregnancy, the formation of basic conditions for its favorable course.

6. Eat right. A complete, balanced diet works wonders. With a lack of weight, a nutritionist will develop an adequate diet for a woman with the inclusion of a large amount of protein foods rich in vitamins and trace elements of vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Recommended fats contained in fish, seeds, nuts, avocados, olives.

7. Get rid of extra pounds. Obesity adversely affects the development of pregnancy. Science has proven that enhanced nutrition during this period is not required. The main thing is its balance.

Infections during pregnancy

Infectious processes transferred before pregnancy develop immunity in the mother to similar agents of influence. Primary infection poses a great threat, so vaccination will be useful before planning conception. Perinatal diagnosis allows you to detect the infectious process at the initial stage and prevent its harmful effects. This is possible if the pregnant woman is registered from an early date.

Infection may develop due to an infection transmitted by airborne droplets. It is the most dangerous, since it is almost impossible to prevent it. This applies to mumps, measles, rubella. HIV and hepatitis infect the body through sexual contact, similar to chlamydia. Listeriosis is transmitted with poor-quality products. A pregnant woman can pass infections to a developing baby. Pathology is determined by profile tests of latent infection.

Routine pregnancy monitoring involves regular testing. Sexual infections are determined using a smear, ultrasound shows deviations in the development of the baby, and KGT is aimed at listening to the work of the fetal heart muscle. If there is a suspicion of a serious infection of the embryo, blood sampling from the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid analysis are practiced.

Infection of a child also depends on concomitant factors. The speed of diagnosis, the literacy of the treatment, the type of pathogen, the duration of the pregnancy are taken into account. The following infectious processes deserve special attention:

1. Viral etiology - a huge number of viruses poses a danger to a pregnant woman. The threat is genital herpes, rubella, infectious type erythema, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, chickenpox.

2. Bacterial infections, detected during the analysis of biological materials (feces, urine, blood), examination of certain organs of the body. Active reproduction provokes a rapid growth in the number of bacteria in the vagina. Not all microorganisms pose a threat to the child. Dangerous candidiasis, streptococcus, chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, cystitis.

The successful course of pregnancy is threatened by intestinal infections, often activated in the summer. Their carriers can be animals and poorly processed food before consumption. Of particular danger are listeriosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis.

Prevention of infections during pregnancy

Infection of the mother threatens the life of the fetus. From the 3rd to the 12th week, the infected organism responds with a miscarriage or the formation of malformations of the child. From the 11th to the 25th - developmental delay. At a later date, organs are deformed and prerequisites for premature birth are created. In order to prevent intrauterine infection, it is recommended to apply a number of rules:

be examined for the detection of STIs;

examine blood, determine the presence of antibodies to infection carriers, pathogens;

avoid contact with sick people, visits to crowded places where there is a possibility of infection by airborne droplets;

Examine pets for dangerous infections and, if necessary, treat them or remove them from the home until the threat is eliminated;

to exclude fast food, store-bought semi-finished products from the diet, subject meat and fish to thorough heat treatment;

remove from the diet sushi and other culinary delights purchased in restaurants, cafes;

thoroughly wash hands, fruits, vegetables with special disinfectants that are not capable of harming a pregnant woman and a child;

it is planned to visit a gynecologist, undergo examinations recommended by a doctor, take tests, take vitamins;

register at the first sign of pregnancy;

prepare for conception, cure infections, vaccinate.

It is also important for the child's father to follow most of the recommended rules. If only the mother undergoes treatment, a relapse is likely during sexual intercourse, neutralizing the beneficial effect of therapy.

A woman who has had a miscarriage in the past should be alert to any deviations from the norm in her state of health. It is important to pay attention to ailments, pain, weakness, dizziness. Accounting for an early consultation will create conditions for the bearing of the fetus and the birth of a child. There is no need to be afraid that a miscarriage will forever deprive the joy of motherhood.

Having completed a course of examinations, passing tests and following the measures prescribed by the doctor to treat imbalances in the body, you will create all the conditions for a favorable pregnancy outcome. Tune in to the positive, protect yourself from worries, worries, stress. Feel the support of loved ones, hope for the best! Get advice from good specialists to rule out any unfavorable prognosis before conception or take steps to neutralize them. Health and prosperity to you, your families and loved ones!

How to identify a miscarriage: early signs

15-20% of pregnant women experience early pregnancy loss. It is important to know the earliest symptoms of a miscarriage in order to have time to seek help and, possibly, save the pregnancy.

Vera Ermakova

According to a study published in 2015 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 41% of women who experienced a miscarriage felt guilty about what happened. Meanwhile, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), at least half of miscarriages (pregnancy losses before 20 weeks) are due to chromosomal abnormalities that cannot be prevented. Nevertheless, given that up to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriages, it is worth knowing its early signs in order to consult a doctor in time.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Very heavy bleeding

Not all bleeding that a pregnant woman may experience is indicative of a miscarriage: for example, small spots of blood may appear when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. In addition, the developing placenta can also cause bleeding. But if the color of the discharge is bright red and they themselves are very intense, you should consult a doctor - this can be a dangerous sign.

Pink discharge and tissue clots

More than just blood, pay attention to any discharge you may encounter during pregnancy. Light pink vaginal fluid, which is also accompanied by the release of clots, is a very alarming symptom.

Pain and cramps

The cramps and cramps that many women experience during their premenstrual period or during their period are unpleasant, but in most cases they are not dangerous.
Learn more

Signs ovulation is occurring

Can gay guys get pregnant

No bowel movement in infant

White cream from vag

Infant and water

How many weeks 2nd trimester

How to help a child with social problems

How to raise a child with aspergers

Pregnant teens support

How does child labour affect society

When do you enter 3rd trimester