What to expect during a miscarriage

A miscarriage is a profound experience — not only physically, but also emotionally. If you’re pregnant and notice bleeding or abdominal pain, this is often the first sign. The bleeding may be accompanied by cramps similar to menstrual pain. Sometimes it lasts only a few days, but it can also gradually increase and continue for several weeks before the pregnancy tissue leaves your body.

How does a miscarriage progress?

The pain varies from person to person. For some, it feels like a heavy period; for others, it’s more intense, with contractions similar to labour. The cervix opens, and your body pushes out the pregnancy tissue. This can happen all at once or spread out over several days. After the miscarriage, the bleeding usually decreases quickly, and within 24 hours the pain often subsides. If that doesn’t happen, some tissue may still be left behind — what’s called an incomplete miscarriage. In that case, medical treatment with medication or a minor procedure (curettage) may be needed.

What does the embryo look like?

In most cases, the embryo isn’t recognisable and passes within a blood clot. You can choose to place a small sieve in the toilet to catch the pregnancy tissue — this allows you to decide if and when you’d like to see it. Some people find it comforting to look or to keep the embryo in water or bury it, as part of their grieving process. But you don’t have to. There’s no medical need to collect or test the tissue, and it has no impact on future pregnancies.

The gestational sac can sometimes be recognised as a small, fluid-filled bubble with a thin, translucent membrane and pinkish lining. At six weeks of pregnancy, the embryo measures about 6 mm; at twelve weeks, around 6.5 cm. When it passes, it’s usually smaller than expected for the stage of pregnancy, since growth had already stopped earlier.

What you can do yourself

During a miscarriage, it’s important to take care of yourself and each other. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons — tampons can block tissue from leaving and increase the risk of infection. Avoid sexual intercourse, baths, saunas, and swimming pools for the time being. Showering is fine.

For pain relief, you can take paracetamol. If that’s not enough, an NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help. It may be comforting to have someone you trust nearby — for emotional support or practical help if needed. Sometimes bleeding can start or increase suddenly; in that case, it’s good if someone else can contact us or your GP.

When to call us

There are situations where you should contact us, your GP, or the hospital right away — for example if you:

• Lose a large amount of blood in a short time (soaking multiple thick pads per hour)
• Feel dizzy or faint
• Have severe pain that regular painkillers don’t relieve
• Still have heavy bleeding and pain more than 24 hours after passing the pregnancy tissue
• Have a fever above 38°C

And even if you’re simply unsure or worried — call us. You know your body best, and we’re here to help.

In short

A miscarriage affects more than your body — it touches your whole being. Take time to recover, both physically and emotionally. You don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here to support you in whatever way you need.

We’re here for you

We’ll support and guide you throughout the miscarriage process and provide all the information you need. If hospital tests or follow-up care are needed, we’ll arrange this for you at the hospital of your choice. Please remember: you can always reach us on our emergency number 06 5478 8178 — even at night.

After the miscarriage, we like to plan a follow-up appointment, usually after one to two weeks. This is not only to check (with an ultrasound) that everything has gone physically well, but also to give you space for your questions and emotions. We can talk about recovery, fears or hopes for a next pregnancy, or — if you don’t wish to become pregnant right now — discuss suitable contraception options.