Pregnancy demands a lot from your body, as does a miscarriage. Yet, where do you start to heal after a pregnancy loss? Experiencing miscarriage is very, very hard on so many levels. Nourishing your body with the foods you eat is the best first step. It’s important to work on healing emotionally, too. This article shares recommendations on ways to nourish yourself after a miscarriage.
Food is Nourishment!
You may not feel like eating much, but following a natural Fertility Diet will help replenish nutrients and support your body in its natural recovery process.
1. Make sure to cover the basics every day: quality protein; essential fats; fresh fruits and vegetables, and unprocessed, whole grains. Try healthy takeout options or quality prepared foods if you’re not up for cooking.
2. Choose organic, nutrient dense foods with vibrant colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple) for the fastest recovery. Include plenty of:
- Vitamin C foods. Vitamin C can help decrease bleeding, support collagen production and promote tissue healing after a miscarriage. Choose: cherries, guava, mustard greens, papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, cauliflower, kale, elderberries, spinach, tomatoes, and citrus fruit.
- Iron-rich foods. Irons builds the blood and helps fight anemia related to miscarriage bleeding. Choose: beets, blackstrap molasses, organic dulse (a seaweed), dark leafy greens, legumes, organic eggs, organic grass fed beef, and organic liver.
3. Resist the temptation to fall into unhealthy patterns like skipping meals; or overdoing junk foods, alcohol, caffeine or sugar. Fight the urge to overmedicate or overeat to ease emotional pain. Fertility Smoothies are an easy way to nourish and can be quick!
4. Try these Fertility Recipes:
Immune Tonic Soup
Hot Maca Milk
Warming Turmeric Latte
Fertility Boosting Protein Bars
Nutritive Herbal Teas
Nourish Your Mind and Heart Too!
Give yourself time to heal mentally and emotionally. Some ideas include…
- Take some time off if it feels right for you.
- Practice mind-body therapies like aromatherapy, art, journaling, or guided meditations to decrease stress and improve mood.
- Schedule some time with a trusted friend, or get away with your partner.
- Honor Miscarriage Through Ritual for closure.
- Look into counseling with a therapist experienced with loss if your grief is profound and long lasting.
Be Kind To Yourself
Struggling with feelings of pain, sorrow, anger or guilt is very real and common. Be kind to yourself! Having a miscarriage is not your fault! Your mind and body need extra care during this tough time. Ask for help when you need it. A Fertility Consultation can be a good choice for support after miscarriage and fertility challenges. Whatever path you choose, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to start your healing process now.
More Resources:
Miscarriage Resources: From Prevention to Recovery
After Miscarriage: 5 Steps To Recovery
See miscarriage support products at the Natural Fertility Shop here…
- Miller, T. (2017, Nov.) This Is What It’s Actually Like To Have a Miscarriage. Retrieved from: https://www.self.com/story/this-is-what-its-actually-like-to-have-a-miscarriage
- Barton-Shuster, D.. (2018). D&C (Dilation and Curettage): Natural Preparation and Recovery. Retrieved from: https://natural-fertility-info.com/dc-dilation-preparation-recovery.html
Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Birth Doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
What would you suggest are the best herbal supplements to take following a recent miscarriage in order to help heal and restore my body including uterus and cervix (I was told cervical incompetence was the reason for the loss)? As of yet, my period has not returned either (it’s been about 6 weeks). I am confused about the information out there concerning the use of Vitex and Maca. I also suffer from hypothyroidism and am taking L-thyroxine but would that conflict with Vitex and Maca? Any information you can provide would be helpful. Thank you!
Dear Mary,
I am very sorry for your loss!
What you have been through is not your fault! I need to be honest, natural therapies like herbs are much less effective for anatomical fertility concerns like incompetent cervix than they are for hormone balance problems.
Vitex and Maca can be combined and are worth learning more about to support a healthy menstrual cycle. That said, it will be best to talk to your doctor for approval. We can not suggest the combination of herbs with medications unless your doctor will monitor and guide you. Beyond the other tips shared in this guide, we offer the guide 5 Steps To Decreasing the Chance of Recurrent Miscarriages. Much of what is suggested for egg health can benefit the entire body.
I hope this is a helpful start!