Miscarriage

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Miscarriage

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Abortion - spontaneous; Spontaneous abortion

If there is threat of miscarriage, you may be told to avoid or restrict some forms of exercise or you may need complete bed rest. Not having sexual intercourse is usually recommended until the warning signs have disappeared.

If a miscarriage occurs, the tissue passed from the vagina should be examined to determine if it was a fetus or a hydatidiform mole. It is also important to determine whether any fetal tissue remains in the uterus. This is called an incomplete spontaneous abortion.

If remaining tissue does not naturally exit the body, he woman may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. Surgery (D and C) or medication (such as misoprostol) may be needed to help the uterus eliminate the remaining contents. Most women who use these medications do so because of a desire to avoid anesthesia and surgery.

Side effects of the medication may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, warmth or chills, headache, more visits to the doctor’s office, prolonged vaginal bleeding, and being more aware of cramping than with surgical abortion. With medication, passage of the products of pregnancy most likely will occur at home, but some women may still require a surgical procedure (D and C) to complete remove all products of the pregnancy.

After treatment, the woman usually resumes her normal menstrual cycle within a few weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately; however, it is recommended that women wait for one normal menstrual cycle before trying to become pregnant again.

Complications in the mother are rare. However, possible complications include infection, which may need to be surgically treated.

Women who lose a baby during the second or third trimester of pregnancy receive different medical care. If the dead fetus remains in the uterus for too long, blood clotting can develop. This can threaten the mother's health.

Call your health care provider if vaginal bleeding with or without cramping occurs during pregnancy.

Call your health care provider if you are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material passed vaginally (any such material should be collected and brought in for examination).

Review Date: 09/19/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.