Miscarriage
Most miscarriages take place before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Because the embryo has usually stopped growing for some time, it is often not visible when you are losing blood. You will see tissue and possibly blood clots. If you are pregnant for longer, you often have more blood loss and probably more abdominal cramps. Once all the tissue has been removed from the uterus, the blood loss will decrease and the abdominal cramps will quickly subside. After a miscarriage, you will have blood loss for approximately one week that will slowly decrease, just like during menstruation.
Annually, 25,000 women have a miscarriage. The possibility of a miscarriage is higher if you are older. Between the ages of 30 and 40, the risk of miscarriage is 1 in 10. This rate increases to 1 out of 5 in women older than 40. Overweight and alcohol increase the possibility of a miscarriage. After a miscarriage, the chance of another miscarriage in the next pregnancy is not higher.
Blood loss
During the miscarriage you will temporarily lose more blood. Use sanitary pads to absorb the blood. This way you can also monitor how much blood you lose. The blood loss lasts for about a week and decreases during the week. If the blood loss does not decrease after the miscarriage and you continue to have cramps, please contact us. It may then be that tissue is left behind in your uterus. A curettage in the hospital may then be needed.
A miscarriage, what now?
If it appears you are having a miscarriage, there are 3 options:
- Wait: natural way
- Treatment with medicine in hospital
- Surgery in hospital (curettage)
We will discuss the various options with you.
When should you contact us?
Immediately call when:
- You have severe blood loss
- You have fever (above 38 degrees) during or after the miscarriage
- you feel unwell: you are dizzy, sweating and/or you feel like you are going to pass out
Contact us in case of:
- Severe stomach cramping
- Anxiety
- Continuous blood loss and cramps after the miscarriage
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