Caring for yourself after a miscarriage

Recovery differs according to the stage of pregnancy and whether the miscarriage completed naturally or was managed with medicine or a procedure.

Cramping and vaginal bleeding can occur while the womb empties and contracts. They should generally ease rather than intensify. Pregnancy symptoms may take time to settle as hormone levels fall, and a follow-up test or scan may be recommended to confirm that recovery is progressing.

Emotional responses can include sadness, numbness, anger, guilt, relief, or changing feelings from day to day. Miscarriage is not caused by ordinary movement, work, exercise, or something you thought, and needing time or professional support is understandable.

Use sanitary pads while bleeding so you can observe the flow, take only pain relief advised as suitable for you, drink fluids, eat as tolerated, and return gradually to usual activity. Follow the discharge instructions about bathing, sex, tampons, work, exercise, and any prescribed medicine.

Keep any planned follow-up and ask whom to contact if a pregnancy test remains positive or symptoms continue. If you want another pregnancy, discuss physical readiness, folic acid, medicines, ongoing health conditions, and emotional readiness with your clinician.

Seek urgent care for very heavy bleeding, fainting, severe or worsening abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, breathlessness, confusion, or feeling acutely unwell. These symptoms require assessment without waiting for a scheduled review.

Contact your care team promptly for fever, chills, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, increasing tenderness, bleeding that becomes heavier after easing, or symptoms that do not follow the recovery pattern you were given.

Ask how you will know the miscarriage is complete, whether you need a scan or test, what bleeding and pain to expect with your management method, and where to find confidential emotional support.