Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage
What is a Decision Point?
Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage? Get the facts Your options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is a miscarriage?A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. (After 20 weeks, pregnancy loss is known as a stillbirth.) The risk of miscarriage increases as a woman ages. The loss of a pregnancy can be very hard to accept. You may wonder why it happened or blame yourself. But a miscarriage is no one's fault. You can't prevent it. Common signs of a miscarriage can include:
Bleeding may be light or heavy, and it may be constant or come and go. It can sometimes be hard to know if light bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. But if you have pain along with bleeding, the chance of a miscarriage is high. What should you do if you are or might be miscarrying?Call your doctor or nurse-midwife right away if you have symptoms of a miscarriage. Getting medical advice and care can lower your chance of any problems from the miscarriage. Your doctor or nurse-midwife will check to see if you:
How is a miscarriage treated?There is no treatment to stop a miscarriage. For many women, the body completes the miscarriage on its own. There are several treatments to help complete a miscarriage. Depending on your condition, you may be able to choose:
If your doctor or nurse-midwife is sure that your first-trimester or early second-trimester miscarriage is complete and all tissue has passed from your uterus, the bleeding is likely to taper off within about a week. Unless you have a fever or heavy bleeding, you will not need treatment. But your doctor or nurse-midwife may want to see you sometime during the next month. Compare your options Compare
Take
medicineTake medicine
Have surgeryHave surgery
Have no treatmentHave no treatment
Personal stories Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about miscarriage treatmentThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. When I learned that I was having a miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I knew right away that I needed to get through the physical process of the miscarriage as quickly as possible. This way, I could begin to emotionally cope with my loss, rather than suffering through the extra days of waiting for the miscarriage to end. I asked my doctor to do a D&C right away. Claire, age 26 I actually didn't have a choice about having a D&C when I miscarried because I was bleeding so heavily. I think that I would have chosen to let my body miscarry on its own, but my nurse-midwife said that this was an urgent situation. I'm just grateful that I came through it as well as I did. Lucero, age 38 It was late in my first trimester when my doctor told me that I had started a miscarriage, probably a couple of weeks before. She said that this is called an "incomplete miscarriage," and that I had some choices. I could wait a little longer for bleeding to start, I could have a D&C, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. Either way, I'd have to have an Rh immunoglobulin injection, because my blood is Rh-negative. I can't stand the idea of surgery, and I felt I had to do something, so I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My husband had to take care of me for a few days. The treatment worked, and after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done. I also saw a counselor a few times. She really helped me out with recovering emotionally from my miscarriage. Dao, age 28 My doctor is experienced with using medicine to treat miscarriage. And as a nurse, I'm familiar with the drugs used. So I felt comfortable with choosing this kind of treatment for ending a miscarriage. Jennifer, age 36 When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my obstetrician. She examined me and told me that I might be miscarrying, but we'd have to wait to see for sure. That was a terrible time. A couple of days later, it was clear that I was miscarrying, because I was passing some tissue. My doctor told me that I could have a D&C or let the miscarriage happen on its own. I decided that the natural course of things was best for me. After a couple of weeks, the bleeding tapered off. It took me a while before I was ready to try to get pregnant again, and I met with a counselor to help me get through those first few months. I think it helped me, though, to have gone through the slower process of physically and emotionally losing the pregnancy. Renna, age 30 When my doctor told me that I was miscarrying, I told him that I really didn't want a D&C. He agreed, saying that he prefers a "watch and wait" approach with a miscarriage. He said that he hardly ever uses surgery or medicine to treat a miscarriage anymore—only if it's requested or if there are complications. I did have to have an Rh immunoglobulin injection because I'm Rh-negative and the fetus could have been Rh-positive. Well, unfortunately, a day later, I started to bleed heavily. I went right in to get checked, and my doctor said that I was going to lose too much blood if he didn't do a D&C. After the D&C, I had light bleeding for a week or so, which apparently is normal. Anna, age 35 What matters most to you? Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I would rather take medicine or have surgery than wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important I want to avoid surgery if I can. Not important Somewhat important Very important I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. Not important Somewhat important Very important I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. Not important Somewhat important Very important It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important My other important reasons: Not important Somewhat important Very important Where are you leaning now? Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Having surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts 1.
If I have a miscarriage, I will have to get treatment with medicine or surgery.
2.
I may need to have surgery even if I wait or take medicine.
3.
If I have bleeding or an infection, surgery is my best choice.
Decide what's next 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. 3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your Summary Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Your decisionNext steps Which way you're leaning How sure you are Your comments Your knowledge of the factsKey concepts that you understood Key concepts that may need review Getting ready to actPatient choices CreditsCredits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is a miscarriage?A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. (After 20 weeks, pregnancy loss is known as a stillbirth.) The risk of miscarriage increases as a woman ages . The loss of a pregnancy can be very hard to accept. You may wonder why it happened or blame yourself. But a miscarriage is no one's fault. You can't prevent it. Common signs of a miscarriage can include:
Bleeding may be light or heavy, and it may be constant or come and go. It can sometimes be hard to know if light bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. But if you have pain along with bleeding, the chance of a miscarriage is high. What should you do if you are or might be miscarrying?Call your doctor or nurse-midwife right away if you have symptoms of a miscarriage. Getting medical advice and care can lower your chance of any problems from the miscarriage. Your doctor or nurse-midwife will check to see if you:
How is a miscarriage treated?There is no treatment to stop a miscarriage. For many women, the body completes the miscarriage on its own. There are several treatments to help complete a miscarriage. Depending on your condition, you may be able to choose:
If your doctor or nurse-midwife is sure that your first-trimester or early second-trimester miscarriage is complete and all tissue has passed from your uterus, the bleeding is likely to taper off within about a week. Unless you have a fever or heavy bleeding, you will not need treatment. But your doctor or nurse-midwife may want to see you sometime during the next month. 2. Compare your options
Personal storiesAre you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about miscarriage treatmentThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "When I learned that I was having a miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I knew right away that I needed to get through the physical process of the miscarriage as quickly as possible. This way, I could begin to emotionally cope with my loss, rather than suffering through the extra days of waiting for the miscarriage to end. I asked my doctor to do a D&C right away." — Claire, age 26 "I actually didn't have a choice about having a D&C when I miscarried because I was bleeding so heavily. I think that I would have chosen to let my body miscarry on its own, but my nurse-midwife said that this was an urgent situation. I'm just grateful that I came through it as well as I did." — Lucero, age 38 "It was late in my first trimester when my doctor told me that I had started a miscarriage, probably a couple of weeks before. She said that this is called an "incomplete miscarriage," and that I had some choices. I could wait a little longer for bleeding to start, I could have a D&C, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. Either way, I'd have to have an Rh immunoglobulin injection, because my blood is Rh-negative. I can't stand the idea of surgery, and I felt I had to do something, so I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My husband had to take care of me for a few days. The treatment worked, and after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done. I also saw a counselor a few times. She really helped me out with recovering emotionally from my miscarriage." — Dao, age 28 "My doctor is experienced with using medicine to treat miscarriage. And as a nurse, I'm familiar with the drugs used. So I felt comfortable with choosing this kind of treatment for ending a miscarriage." — Jennifer, age 36 "When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my obstetrician. She examined me and told me that I might be miscarrying, but we'd have to wait to see for sure. That was a terrible time. A couple of days later, it was clear that I was miscarrying, because I was passing some tissue. My doctor told me that I could have a D&C or let the miscarriage happen on its own. I decided that the natural course of things was best for me. After a couple of weeks, the bleeding tapered off. It took me a while before I was ready to try to get pregnant again, and I met with a counselor to help me get through those first few months. I think it helped me, though, to have gone through the slower process of physically and emotionally losing the pregnancy." — Renna, age 30 "When my doctor told me that I was miscarrying, I told him that I really didn't want a D&C. He agreed, saying that he prefers a "watch and wait" approach with a miscarriage. He said that he hardly ever uses surgery or medicine to treat a miscarriage anymore—only if it's requested or if there are complications. I did have to have an Rh immunoglobulin injection because I'm Rh-negative and the fetus could have been Rh-positive. Well, unfortunately, a day later, I started to bleed heavily. I went right in to get checked, and my doctor said that I was going to lose too much blood if he didn't do a D&C. After the D&C, I had light bleeding for a week or so, which apparently is normal." — Anna, age 35 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I would rather take medicine or have surgery than wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important I want to avoid surgery if I can. Not important Somewhat important Very important I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. Not important Somewhat important Very important I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. Not important Somewhat important Very important It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. Not important Somewhat important Very important My other important reasons: Not important Somewhat important Very important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Having surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. If I have a miscarriage, I will have to get treatment with medicine or surgery.
That's right. A miscarriage often completes on its own. 2. I may need to have surgery even if I wait or take medicine.
You're right. You may need surgery if waiting or medicine doesn't work. 3. If I have bleeding or an infection, surgery is my best choice.
You're right. You may need surgery if you have heavy bleeding or an infection. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you? 2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. Last Revised: April 18, 2011 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. To learn more visit Healthwise.org © 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. |
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