Losses

After finding out that you have miscarried, your doctor will give you a few options for miscarriage treatments.

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Natural / Expectant Miscarriage 

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A natural miscarriage is one that allows your body to dispel the tissue on its own and without medical intervention. This process will begin naturally, usually within a week to two weeks after a miscarriage. A natural miscarriage is completed at home and generally includes period-like cramping, some of which may be severe, similar to the contractions of labour, as well as heavy bleeding. Once you pass the tissue, you will see a doctor to monitor your hormone levels as they naturally lower to a non-pregnancy level.

The doctor will also monitor your bleeding levels to ensure that your body has dispelled all of the internal tissue appropriately. In the event that this does not happen or you experience excessive bleeding, you may need to undergo D&C procedure to complete the clearing of the uterus.

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Many women choose this natural method as a way to have closure of the end of an intended pregnancy. Occasionally, depending on how many weeks into the pregnancy you were when the fetus stopped growing, you will not have the option of a natural miscarriage.

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Medical Management 

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Sometimes, doctors will give you the option to take a medication called misoprostol to start or speed up the process of a delayed or missed miscarriage. Misoprostol works by preparing your cervix and making your womb contract to help push out the pregnancy.

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Some women experience severe abdominal cramps as well as heavy bleeding with this option, but they may prefer this to having a surgical procedure.  As with natural management, some women say that the process is similar to the contractions of labour and it can be a long and exhausting process.  It can help to have pain-killers such as paracetamol on hand, as well as a supply of extra-absorbent pads.

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Surgical Procedure

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The surgical procedure to remove your fetus is called a D&C (Dilation & Curettage). If you choose to have a D&C procedure or it is medically recommended, you will generally be scheduled very quickly for the procedure. The procedure is done by a medical professional either in their office, or in some cases, in the outpatient surgery center of a hospital. While the procedure is medically coded as minor surgery, it is very common and routine for most OBGYNs doctors.

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Patients are given a general anesthesia so that they will comfortably sleep through the procedure. The procedure consists of your doctor using a device to dilate your cervical opening and then using a sharp instrument, such as a scalpel, or suction to clean out the tissue inside of your uterus. The entire process takes under a half an hour and you will be discharged roughly two hours following the procedure.

 

Typical recovery can include light cramping and bleeding, and you’ll generally follow up with your doctor one to two weeks after the procedure.

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You should note that this procedure does carry potential risks including scarring of the uterus that may make future pregnancies more difficult. Even so, many women elect to complete a D&C to provide quicker closure and swifter recovery.

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