What happens when you miscarry?
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Bleeding in pregnancy
If you start to bleed, even just a bit of light spotting, ring your doctor. Symptoms of miscarriage vary. Bleeding can get heavier over about three days and if your pregnancy is quite advanced you may experience stomach cramps and pain. But some women have very light bleeding and just a dull, period-like pain. If you're bleeding heavily, with a lot of pain, ring your nearest A & A department or go in.
Can rest stop you miscarrying?
As heartbreaking and frustrating as this is, it's generally felt that once you start to lose your baby there's very little you can do to prevent it. Resting with your feet up is a good idea, though, to keep stress levels under control, and a hot water bottle and paracetamol will ease the pain.
Ask your partner or a close friend or family member to stay with you; you'll need lots of support to cope with this traumatic experience. If you don't have anyone with you, ring your doctor or hospital for advice.
The Miscarriage Association or Samaritans (see contact details, below) can help too. But, remember, bleeding doesn't necessarily mean you are losing your baby, so try to relax and speak to your GP or midwife for advice.
What happens afterwards?
If you miscarry at home, see your doctor who will examine you and may refer you to hospital for a D & C (dilatation and curettage) where your womb is scraped to make sure it is clear. At hospital they may give you a vaginal scan to check that your womb is clear.
Why did it happen to me?
Even though miscarriage is so common it's often difficult to pinpoint the cause. Please don't blame yourself, though. It's unlikely to have happened because of anything you did or didn't do.
Read on for the main causes of miscarriage
Where next?
- The facts about miscarriage
- Readers tips for coping with miscarriage
- Life after miscarriage
- Why am I bleeding? Find out what else it could be
- Find out all about depression
- Ten ways to fight depression
- The truth about fertility and ovulation
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