Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like miscarriage, you are never alone. Countless women have faced exactly the same experience and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that have helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.
TSC has scoured the Web to assemble links to the very best miscarriage resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges you're facing right now.
As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this miscarriage guide even more helpful to survivors like you.
JUST FOUND OUT
Survivors Say: The Best Resources For Those Who Have Just Miscarried
These sites are a good place to start as you come to terms with the loss of your pregnancy, and to help you better understand what causes miscarriage:
- Babycenter.com: Understanding Miscarriage
- American Pregnancy Association: Miscarriage
- March of Dimes: Miscarriage
The Big Picture
When a pregnant woman finds out she has had a miscarriage the news can be devastating. She may believe it was her fault and feel discouraged about future pregnancies. A miscarriage can have the same emotional impact as any death of a loved one. Here's how to know if you might be having a miscarriage; if you think you are, seek immediate medical attention:
March of Dimes: Symptoms of Miscarriage
Your Miscarriage
Chances are good you are are looking for answers about why your pregnancy ended in miscarriage and if there's anything you can do to prevent a future miscarriage. Unfortunately, there's very little a woman can do to stop another miscarriage from happening. But keep in mind that the vast majority of couples who miscarry -- even multiple times -- still go on to have a healthy child.
There are actually different types of pregnancy loss, including a chemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, blighted ovum, molar pregnancy and stillbirth. Here, About.com explains the differences:
Most miscarriages happen in the first timester, roughly the first three months of a woman's pregnancy:
About.com: Miscarriage in the First Trimester
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Will I be at risk for another miscarriage?
- What kind of miscarriage did I have?
- Why did I have a miscarriage?
- Will there is any permanent damage?
- How can I be better prepared if this happens again?
What You Might Be Feeling
Miscarriages are very common. In fact, one in four women will have at least one miscarriage. That means you are far from alone, and there are many options for support as you deal with difficult feelings of sadness, loss, anger and frustration now. Counseling, group therapy and many medical resources are available. Here's one place to start finding help:
Share: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
Your World
Miscarriages happen often. They are defined as "the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy." Most miscarriages occur when the unborn baby has deadly genetic problems. Usually, these problems are unrelated to the mother and a woman heals fairly quickly physically. Some women will undergo a surgical D&C (dilation and curettage) procedure to remove tissue from the pregnancy; here's more about what to expect if you have a D&C, from the American Pregnancy Association:
D&C Procedure After a Miscarriage
Bouncing back emotionally can be another story, especially if this is your first pregnancy loss. Do what you can to create a support network around you now to help you deal with this great loss in whatever ways feel right to you.
Pregnancyloss.info has wonderful information about all aspects of miscarriage and how to cope. Start with their guide to recovery following a miscarriage:
Miscarriage Myths
- "X-rays can cause miscarriage."
- "Nausea and vomiting mean I’m going to have a miscarriage."
- "Having sex while pregnant can cause miscarriage."
- "Lifting heavy objects or exercise causes miscarriage."
- "Stress can cause miscarriage."
Total Comments: 1
Blind to it
i suffered a miscarriage some years ago, I don't really have any feelings towards it though as for a start i didn't even know i was pregnant. i remember walking past the doctors surgery which is just pure coincidence and I said to my boyfriend at the time that I had pains in my stomach and felt groggy,we had obviously decided to check with a doctor what it could be, all I remember next was walking towards the town having being told if it continues or you feel worse to go to the hospital and take it from there. I remember at some point we took the bus back to hospital after a while just to see how things were, i ended up staying in for the night, I didn't tell my parents at all but i practically begged the nurse to see if my boyfriend could sleep the night but he had to go home. After a few hours of talking to some women on the ward and having a good cry I managed some sleep until the doctor and a nurse shone a light in my eyes at 3am!!! The next morning consisted of waiting for the doctors rounds to see what the deal was having taken a sample the night before, he used the term 'complete miscarriage' which all I remember was breathing a huge sigh of relief saying thank God for that, now some people may think how wrong but I had to deal with not only a shock pregnancy but losing the baby at the same time, plus I wasn't even 20 at the time so this was a lot to take. I have since gone through a lot and will always take this with me, but I had no choice or say in this matter at all so I had to go along with it at the time.