Natural Management of Miscarriage
Following a discussion with clinic staff you have opted for natural management of your miscarriage.
Experiencing an early miscarriage is a physically and emotionally difficult time. This factsheet aims to provide information about this process and what to expect before, during and after natural management.
What will happen?
It may take a few days or even weeks for the bleeding to begin; when your bleeding does begin it is likely to be heavier than a period and you may pass large clots, please use pads, not tampons. It is normal to have several hours of moderate bleeding which becomes heavier as you pass your pregnancy.
You may also experience strong period like cramping, which can be extremely painful, and similar to labour pains as your uterus contracts.
You can take:
- Paracetamol - 1g every 4-6hrs, no more than 8 tablets/24 hrs
- Ibuprofen – 400mg every 6-8hrs, no more than 3 tablets/24hours
We can provide Codeine Phosphate (stronger pain medication) to take home with you, if required.
The bleeding and pain eases once your pregnancy has passed. However, pain and bleeding patterns can vary and not everyone’s experience will be the same.
Although we expect you to bleed, if the bleeding is heavy and prolonged i.e. soaking 3 or more pads in an hour for more than 2 hours, or if you begin to feel faint, dizzy or unwell you should contact the department immediately for advice.
If you are not managing with either your pain or bleeding at home, you must attend A&E for assessment.
Please be aware that it is possible you may see your baby, or pregnancy tissue pass. If you have your baby at home and you are unsure of what your options are please speak to a member of the early pregnancy team for guidance.
You can contact the department at any point throughout the day if you need advice.
If you have any concerns about what to expect please discuss this with your Doctor or Nurse.
Aftercare
**Please check an early morning urine pregnancy test is negative 3 weeks after treatment. You must contact the department if it is positive**
Bleeding
It is normal to bleed for 2 to 3 weeks following this procedure. You should use pads and not tampons during this time. If your bleeding is heavy, please contact Women’s Outpatients Department.
Pain
Some women experience some mild to moderate pain in the days following the procedure; it is usually relieved by Paracetamol. If the pain becomes more severe please contact Women’s Outpatient Department.
Infection
If you develop a fever, feel unwell or have an offensive discharge it is important you seek medical advice from your GP. To reduce the risk of infection please use pads rather than tampons and avoid intercourse until bleeding has stopped.
Contraception/future pregnancies
We may have discussed the option of contraception with you during your consultation. This is usually to enable healthy lifestyle changes prior to conceiving again. If you require contraception we may be able to provide it on the day. Tommy’s “preparing for pregnancy” website is helpful in offering advice and guidance towards improving your chances of a healthy future pregnancy. See website address below. Please ensure you have had a negative urine pregnancy test before trying to conceive again as this concludes your miscarriage is complete.
Emotions
It is not unusual for you and your partner to feel low in mood following a miscarriage. If you are struggling to cope in the coming weeks and months, be kind to yourself, accept support from friends and family. Please access the support section on the miscarriage association website or speak to a member of the early pregnancy team. If you require further help and support you may contact your GP.
Useful telephone numbers & websites
Cumberland Infirmary
Women's Outpatient Department - Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00 - 01228 814264
West Cumberland Hospital
Women’s Outpatient Department – Mon –Fri 08.00 – 17.00 01946 523211
Ward 1 after 5pm 01946 523257
Out of Hours – NHS 111
Useful websites
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
www.aepu.org.ukwww.rcog.org.uk/en/patients
Local Support
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302