What happens after miscarriage?

Every woman’s experience after a miscarriage is different, both physically and emotionally. There’s no “one size fits all” explanation for your miscarriage and what comes afterwards for you, but we can tell you how your Ovia account will be affected and what you’re most likely to expect with your body.

What’s happens to my Ovia account after a miscarriage?

If you are ready to start trying again and you’ve previously used Ovia Fertility, simply return to the app and begin logging your daily data again. If you’re coming from Ovia Pregnancy and haven’t previously used Ovia Fertility, you can get it free in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

After a reported miscarriage, Ovia Fertility pauses and resets your period/fertile window predictions until you enter a recent period. You will see a prediction as soon as you enter a new period, but it may be slightly off because your cycle may be longer or shorter than your previous cycles before you conceived.

In addition to reporting your miscarriage through the app (found in the left-hand menu), you can add a Note to your Timeline with as much additional information as you’d like.

What happens to my body after a miscarriage?

Some of the most common and normal physical changes you might experience immediately after miscarrying include:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting lasting up to a week
• Brown or yellow cervical mucus
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• A decline in your hCG hormones

Normal physical changes you may experience a week or more after miscarrying include:

• An irregular period (many women resume their menstrual cycle in about three to six weeks)
• A continued drop in your hCG hormones as they approach and reach zero
• A delayed period (you won’t menstruate until your hCG levels return to zero, which takes about four weeks but can take as long as seven)
• No ovulation during the first cycle following a miscarriage, even if you get a false reading with an ovulation test
• Lingering pregnancy symptoms, including abnormal body temperature
• A second onset of bleeding followed by spotting about two weeks after your miscarriage date, caused by remnants of the placenta
• A painful, opened cervix, leaving you more susceptible to pain during sex and infections (so wait until your period is regular before getting back to sex)

Which symptoms are dangerous?

Any of the following post-miscarriage symptoms are considered serious, and you should contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing them:

• Bleeding on and off for several weeks without fully stopping
• Elevated levels hCG hormones that persist in your body
• Heavy, severe bleeding, especially if it contains black portions

Most complications that arise after a miscarriage are the result of tissue that hasn’t cleared your body yet and can cause infections or hemorrhaging.

Medical procedures associated with miscarriages

In addition to the appointment you have to diagnose your miscarriage, it’s a good idea to have a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider between two and six weeks later. The later you were in your pregnancy when you miscarried, the more likely it is that you’re retaining fetal tissues and you’ll need a follow-up procedure or test.

About half of women who experience pregnancy loss end up having one of two common procedures called a dilation and curettage (D&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E). Done to stop bleeding and prevent infection, these procedures dilate your cervix and remove tissue from your uterus. The difference between them is the tool used: a D&C uses a curette instrument, and a D&E uses a suction or vacuum tool.

The procedure typically takes about 20-30 minutes, and you’ll receive pain medication or general anesthesia beforehand. Your doctor will remove the retained tissue from your uterus by passing through your dilated cervix with either a curette instrument or a suction tool. Most women are able to leave the hospital or surgery center the same day they receive the procedure.

Afterwards, you can expect cramps, spotting, and bleeding for up to two weeks. Avoid any vaginal penetration, including sex and tampons during your recovery.

Can I get pregnant again?

A majority of women who suffer a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies. Although some women may have hormonal imbalances or other conditions that heighten the likelihood of miscarriage, it appears that most miscarriages are independent events that happen randomly. According to the Mayo Clinic, less than 5% of women will experience two consecutive miscarriages, and only about 1% will suffer three. If you believe you’re prone to miscarriages, your doctor can perform genetic tests, blood tests, or ultrasounds that can help determine whether your miscarriage was the result of a specific condition.

Though some couples may want to give it some time in between attempts because of the physical or emotional toll of miscarriage, there is no evidence that any waiting period is necessary before trying to conceive again. It’s really up to you, your partner, and your healthcare provider to decide if you’re ready.

Sources

• "Dilation and Curettage (D&C)." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 2/15/2014. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. "Micarriage." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/9/2013. Web.
• Leann Mikesh, PhD. "hCG Levels After a Miscarriage." Livestrong. Livestrong, 4/16/2015. Web.
• "Miscarriage." Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood, n.d. Web.