Having a miscarriage is a heavy emotional toll for anyone to manage. It’s important to know that the miscarriage isn’t your fault – most miscarriages happen because of the baby’s chromosomes not developing properly. Technically, a miscarriage is a loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks while most happen before 12 weeks.
Especially during this time of COVID-19 and the possibility of not having immmediate access to medical care, knowing what to do during a miscarriage at home will prepare you for what your body will need to do to process the miscarriage and pass the fetus and placenta on.
What are the signs of miscarriage?
Taking care of yourself after the miscarriage
If you have already been to the doctor who confirmed the fetus was not viable before the miscarriage, you were likely given a kit to collect tissue for testing. If you are able to collect the tissue, this could help doctors understand why you had the miscarriage and take precautions for future pregnancies.
You’ll want to rest a lot after the miscarriage. Your body has gone through a very strenuous process and will need time to recover. Expect that you’ll continue bleeding for a week or so after. Make sure you have a strong support group around you who can help you process the grief. While it can be easy to want to just be alone, do your best to talk to those you can trust. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the week following the miscarriage.
Your doctor will look inside your uterus to check for retained tissue. Be aware that heavy bleeding, chills, a fever, and foul-smelling discharge are signs of an infection. See a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Conrad further reminds us that even when the miscarriage itself feels mild, you body will take time to rebound. “Your body will be physically exhausted for the weeks to come, and you can easily overdo things,” she said. “Take it easy and give yourself time.”
