Period After Miscarriage: What to Expect and How to Cope

When you have a miscarriage, it is one of the most difficult experiences for a parent. And many women look forward and want to know when to expect their period after a miscarriage as it is a sign that your body is healing and is on its way to recovery.

Many are confused about what to expect after a pregnancy loss. Or whether what they’re experiencing is considered normal or okay. For instance, what if your bleeding stopped after miscarriage and then started again? Would that be considered as the first period after miscarriage? It can surely get confusing and the added emotional distress can make you feel even more lost.

However, worry not, you’re not alone. In this article, we will try to answer common queries like things to expect when you get the first period after a miscarriage, or ways to cope with its symptoms, etc.

• Things to know about miscarriages
• What to expect with the first period after miscarriage?
• Period after miscarriage: When to expect?
• What are the signs of a first period after a miscarriage?
• How long will the period after a miscarriage last?
• What does it mean if there’s no period after a miscarriage?
• Tips for Pain relief from first period after a miscarriage
• Tips to cope with a miscarriage

A pregnancy loss or miscarriage is when a fetus is lost before 20 weeks of a pregnancy. It is a fact that around 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end up in miscarriages. Many women experience a miscarriage even before they’ve recognized early signs of pregnancy such as missed periods.

Going through pregnancy loss is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult time for expectant parents. Most often, people think of the emotional stress that parents go through with a miscarriage. But for the woman, along with the emotional and psychological trauma, she also has to deal with many physical changes. Women who go through pregnancy loss should consider seeking therapy, counselling, and any other medical help that they need to recover.

The first period after a miscarriage is likely to be different from a person’s usual menstruation. It could be unusually heavy and cause more discomfort than your normal period or be unusually light accompanied with severe emotional distress.

‘When should I expect the return of my period?’ is one of the most common questions that women have after a miscarriage. And the answer to this question is not a ‘one size fits all’ one. The time frame varies from one person to another.

Here are some of the factors that affect the timing of when your periods will return:

1. Menstrual cycle regularity: If you had an irregular cycle before your pregnancy loss, it will most likely be the same after your miscarriage.
2. Pregnancy gestation: It also depends on how far along you were in your pregnancy when you miscarried. Typically, you could ovulate as early as two weeks after an early pregnancy loss or in certain cases, it may also take several weeks. If you were more than 20 weeks pregnant, it might take longer for it to come back compared to a loss in early pregnancy.

On average, if you’re healthy and had more or less regular periods, you will get your period in four to six weeks.

You may wonder whether the first period after a miscarriage may present any signs or symptoms to watch out for, like PMS signs before your usual period. When you have a miscarriage, your body attempts to pass the contents of your uterus through your vagina. When this happens, you’re likely to experience severe pain or cramping in your abdomen and lower back. This could be accompanied with blood passing through your vagina along with fluid and tissue.

It is likely that it will take a few days or a few weeks for some or all of these symptoms to stop. For women who are healthy and have more or less regular periods, you will get your period in four to six weeks. You will also notice that your first period after miscarriage is different than normal in ways such as:

• It could be accompanied by discharge that has a strong odour
• Your period may be heavier than usual
• Your period may be longer than usual
• Your period may be more painful than usual

After a miscarriage, it may take some time for your menstrual cycle to resume. It is also likely that those who’ve experienced irregular periods before getting pregnant will continue to have irregular periods after a miscarriage as well. And about how long will the period after miscarriage last, it typically lasts between four to seven days.

It is also noted that the menstrual cycles of women, who experienced pregnancy loss between 12 to 20 weeks, may take longer to return to its usual pattern.

A common question or thought that people might think is, ‘I have no period after my miscarriage, could I be pregnant?’ or ‘Is getting pregnant after miscarriage before first period possible?’ The fact is that you can ovulate and, hence, conceive as early as two weeks after a pregnancy loss. So, if you’ve not got your period after six weeks following a miscarriage, you may want to check if you’re pregnant. Likewise, if you find out that you’re not pregnant but haven’t got your period as well, you must speak with a doctor.

Most doctors would recommend that you wait till you get your period before you try to conceive again. This helps in calculating the due date.

On the other hand, if you do not wish to become pregnant again then it is advisable to use contraception when having an intercourse during this time. One must also consider abstaining from having an intercourse until you’ve stopped bleeding after the miscarriage. This will help avoid the risk of infection.

It is a known fact that the first period after a miscarriage is likely to be more painful than normal. So, here are some tips to help you combat this pain and find relief:

1. Try abstaining from having an intercourse as it could be painful during this time.
2. Consider applying a heating pad to your abdomen to find relief from cramps.
3. Consult with your doctor if you can use tampons since they could be painful during this time. Meanwhile, you can use safe and comfortable sanitary pads like Always pads to manage the flow. Use Always Maxi Thick Pads as they are designed with unique anti-leakage barriers in the front, centre, and back offering maximum coverage. Its Extra Absorbent Core is designed to absorb liquid, so you don't feel a thing. A Clean and Dry Topsheet also keeps you comfortable all day.
4. You may want to consider taking some over-the-counter medication for pain relief. Remember to always consult with a doctor before you take any medication.
5. You may experience tender or swollen breasts. So, wear a supportive bra that has no binding.

We can all agree that a miscarriage is a traumatic experience – for the mind and body. In most cases, it takes much longer for a woman to heal emotionally than a physical recovery. In such cases, it is common for women to not be okay to talk to their spouses, friends or family about the miscarriage and their feelings. However, it is important to open up, acknowledge and talk about it in order to recover completely. The below steps and practices can be helpful:

• You may join a support group for women who have miscarried
• Practicing breathing exercises, meditation, and other such techniques that help you relax and reduce stress
• Consider talking to a psychologist, or counselor if you’re feeling depressed.

If you think you have miscarried, you must visit your doctor immediately. You may need to undergo a procedure where any remaining fetal tissue is removed from your uterus.

Additionally, contact your doctor or a medical professional urgently if you experience any of the below symptoms. These could be signs of serious infections.

• Severe abdominal or shoulder pain
• Heavy bleeding, enough to soak two pads in an hour. Or if you’re passing large blood clots, as big as golf balls
• If you’re having chills or fever
• If you have diarrhea or pain when trying to have a bowel movement
• Feeling dizzy or faint
• Vaginal discharge that has a very strong or foul odour
• Feeling weak.

Irrespective of whether your first period after a miscarriage is normal or not, it is important that you visit your doctor for a check-up, preferably within six weeks after your miscarriage. This will help your doctor ascertain whether your uterus has returned to normal size and how well you have recovered.

Takeaway
Your first period after a miscarriage can be a different experience and whether it’s something that seemed usual or normal it is important that you consult a doctor. You should see one right after you feel you’ve miscarried and another within six weeks following the miscarriage. In case you experience any signs of infection you should get medical help immediately.

Now keep a track of your ovulation period with Aways Safe Days Calculator.

Curious about the signs ovulation is over? Our guide offers clear insights to help you understand your cycle better.

FAQs

The first period after miscarriage is likely to be different than what it was before getting pregnant. It could be accompanied by discharge that has a strong odour. You may notice that your period may be heavier or longer than usual. It may also be more painful than usual.

The time it takes to get your period after a miscarriage depends on factors such as how regular your periods were before getting pregnant, and how far along in the pregnancy you were. For women who are healthy and have more or less regular periods, you will get their period in four to six weeks. If you were further into your pregnancy, it could take longer for your periods to resume.

You can ovulate and, hence, conceive as early as two weeks after a pregnancy loss. Therefore, getting pregnant after miscarriage before first period is quite a possibility. If you’ve not got your period after six weeks following a miscarriage, you may want to check if you’re pregnant.

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