First, we are sorry you are going through this stress and worry! Having a miscarriage is a very scary and emotional experience. If you’re at risk, please get support in many areas: medical, emotional, physical, and spiritual. This article offers recommendations on steps to take if you’re worried you’re having a miscarriage.
Who’s at Risk for Miscarriage?
The latest statistics find that around 15-20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage. 80% of these occur in the first trimester according to Krissi Danielsson author of After Miscarriage published by Harvard Common Press. Most women we speak to who are concerned about miscarriage have either had a previous miscarriage; or are experiencing symptoms like cramping, spotting or bleeding. Others may sense something is wrong, or have a pregnancy test come back negative, after a positive test.
While we cannot diagnose or treat miscarriage, we can offer suggestions to get the help you need if you’re concerned. Important: If you’re pregnant and in great pain, or bleeding, reach out to your doctor! If you are unable to reach your doctor, please seek immediate medical attention.
Steps To Take If You’re Concerned You’re Having a Miscarriage
1. First, reach out to your doctor! Share information about your symptoms so they can document them and talk you through your concerns! They may want to get you in to be seen in person, so be prepared for that. Be sure to ask any questions you have.
If your doctor is unavailable, reach out to a nurse practitioner or a midwife for support. If you don’t have a midwife and are in the US, you can find a Midwife here… Midwives can provide invaluable support through a pregnancy challenge.
2. Keep your meals light, but nourishing. Soups, stews, broths or herbal teas are usually the best during this time. Try a healthy food delivery option if you’re not up for cooking. Many natural foods stores also have a prepared foods section with nutritious choices.
3. Do your best to take it easy. Rest if you’re feeling tired. Use a warm rice pack on your back and abdomen for mild pain relief. Take a warm bath or shower to ease stress. Consider the herbal formula UteriCalm to help calm and relax the uterus.
4. Try flower essences for emotional support. Flower essences work on emotional and energetic levels. Flower Essences are extremely gentle, and can be used for safe relief as directed. A few examples:
- Ignatia for fear and heartbreak
- Elm for overwhelming emotions
- White chestnut flower for obsessive, worried thoughts
- Star of Bethlehem for grief or loss.
- Rescue Remedy or FES Five Flower (blends to address general stress)
5. If you’re bleeding or spotting, work to determine the cause with your doctor. Be aware that pregnancies, even with spotting, can, and many do, continue without complications. Here are some factors that can cause spotting or bleeding during early pregnancy other than miscarriage:
- implantation (very early pregnancy)
- the uterus clearing out old blood from the last previous cycle
- cervical irritation (often from intercourse)
- subchorionic hemorrhage, or movement of the placenta (requires a medical diagnosis)
- placenta previa (requires a medical diagnosis)
Many causes of spotting are not serious or can be treated or managed medically. Other causes like ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy are serious and mean a miscarriage is inevitable. Be kind and gentle to yourself if you receive bad news. While there can be causative factors for miscarriage, having a miscarriage is not your fault.
6. Pay attention to pain. Intense pain should be evaluated ASAP! Moderate-light, periodic, early-pregnancy cramping can be normal and related to various changes like: implantation (often only lasts around 2 days), expansion of the uterus (occurs around the 10th week of pregnancy) and changes in the surrounding muscles and ligaments, or constipation, increased bloating or gas that occurs alongside pregnancy hormone changes. Ask your doctor for more information if you’re experiencing cramps and are concerned.
7. Reach out for support. Share what you’re going through with a supportive friend or family member. Ask for help when you need it. If miscarriage is confirmed or you continue to have great anxiety, speaking to a counselor experienced with loss is a good option.
8. Look to your own spiritual path. Some women we speak with use prayer, meditation, healing mantras or positive affirmations. Comfort can be found from following a spiritual path or looking outside of oneself for guidance.
To all those affected, we send love and light!
If you’re reading this article, we sincerely hope you’re not experiencing a miscarriage. Most pregnancies continue on normally, even with some challenges or symptoms. If it turns out that you’re having a miscarriage, give yourself time to grieve and heal, and reach out for help and more information. While not all miscarriages can be prevented, learning more about your fertility health can be empowering in the face of a loss.
Resources to Learn More:
5 Steps To Decreasing The Chance of Recurrent Miscarriage
Spotting in Early Pregnancy: Does It Mean Miscarriage?
After Miscarriage: 5 Steps To Recovery
Miscarriage Resources: From Prevention To Recovery
- Danielsson, K. (2018, Oct.). Making Sense Out Of Miscarriage Statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellfamily.com/making-sense-of-miscarriage-statistics-2371721
- Peterson, A. (2018, Oct). Spotting in Early Pregnancy- Does It Mean Miscarriage? Retrieved from: https://natural-fertility-info.com/spotting-in-early-pregnancy.html
- “Cramping During Pregnancy.” (2018). Retrieved from: http://americanpregnancy.org/your-pregnancy/cramping-during-pregnancy/
- Willet, E. (2018, Oct.) 15 Flower Essences for Emotional Support While Trying to Conceive. Retrieved from: https://natural-fertility-info.com/flower-essences.html
