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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. 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. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary 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. For some, the loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened. 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. 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: 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 What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These 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 surgical procedure. Claire, age 26 I actually didn't have a choice about having a surgical procedure 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. 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 surgical procedure, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My family had to take care of me for a few days. And after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done. Dao, age 28 When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my doctor. 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 surgical procedure 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 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. I want to avoid surgery if I can. I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. My other important reasons: 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 Having surgery NOT having surgery Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. 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. For some, the loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened. 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. 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: 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. These 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 surgical procedure." — Claire, age 26 "I actually didn't have a choice about having a surgical procedure 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." — 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 surgical procedure, or I could take a medicine that would make the miscarriage progress. I chose the medicine. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My family had to take care of me for a few days. And after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done." — Dao, age 28 "When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my doctor. 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 surgical procedure 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 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. I want to avoid surgery if I can. I would rather wait and let nature takes its course. I'm concerned about the pain and side effects from medicine or surgery. It would be harder for me emotionally to wait for the miscarriage to end on its own. My other important reasons: 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 Having surgery NOT having surgery Waiting for the miscarriage to end NOT waiting 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 heavy bleeding or an infection, surgery is my best choice. 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? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: July 10, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardMiscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is a miscarriage?
What should you do if you are or might be miscarrying?
How is a miscarriage treated?
Compare your options
Personal stories about miscarriage treatment
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is a miscarriage?
What should you do if you are or might be miscarrying?
How is a miscarriage treated?
2. Compare your options
Take medicine Have surgery What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Have no treatment What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about miscarriage treatment
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.