What is Miscarriage

Miscarriage is the loss of an unborn baby (fetus) before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take NSAIDs unless your doctor says that this is safe for you. NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can cause bleeding.

Activity

• Rest as directed. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Have someone help you at home during this time.

General instructions

• Write down how many pads you use each day and how soaked they are.
• Watch the amount of tissue or clumps of blood (blood clots) that you pass from your vagina. Save any large amounts of tissue for your doctor.
• Do not use tampons, douche, or have sex until your doctor approves.
• To help you and your partner with the process of grieving, talk with your doctor or seek counseling.
• When you are ready, meet with your doctor to talk about steps you should take for your health. Also, talk with your doctor about steps to take to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• You have vaginal discharge that smells bad.
• You have more bleeding.

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad cramps or pain in your back or belly.
• You pass clumps of blood that are walnut-sized or larger from your vagina.
• You pass tissue that is walnut-sized or larger from your vagina.
• You soak more than 1 regular pad in an hour.
• You get light-headed or weak.
• You faint (pass out).
• You have feelings of sadness that do not go away, or you have thoughts of hurting yourself.

Summary

• A miscarriage is the loss of an unborn baby before the 20th week of pregnancy.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions for home care. Keep all follow-up appointments.
• To help you and your partner with the process of grieving, talk with your doctor or seek counseling.