After a miscarriage - Physical recovery

Coping with pregnancy loss can be very difficult. After a miscarriage, you can experience both a roller coaster of emotions and physical symptoms as your body recovers from a miscarriage.

What can I expect physically after a miscarriage?

Physical recovery after a miscarriage takes from a few weeks to a month or more. Your recovery will depend on the course of your pregnancy.

Some women experience the following physical effects:

Vaginal bleeding, similar to a menstrual period, can last up to a week after a miscarriage.
Light bleeding or spotting.
Depending on your menstrual cycle, normal periods should resume in 3-6 weeks.
Pain in the lower abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps, can last up to 2 days after a miscarriage.
Discomfort in the chest, engorgement or leakage of milk; Ice packs and a supportive bra can reduce discomfort. This discomfort usually subsides within a week.
Some pregnancy hormones remain in the blood for one to two months after a miscarriage.

How can I prevent infection?

After seeing a doctor, there are a few things you can do until the bleeding stops to prevent infection.

This includes:

Using sanitary pads rather than tampons. Wait until your next period before using tampons again.
Do not douche
Do not go into swimming pools or hot tubs
Take showers instead of baths
Do not have sexual intercourse

Also, if your doctor prescribes antibiotics for you, it is very important that you take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed until all the medicine is gone. (Even if your symptoms improve after just a few days of antibiotics, keep taking them until they are gone!)

When can I resume my normal activities?

You can resume your normal activities as soon as you feel fit. However, it's wise to ask your doctor for more specific instructions regarding any vigorous or strenuous exercise.