Early Assessment Pregnancy Unit
Information for Patients
After a Miscarriage Page 1 of 4
Version 2, Next Review Date November 2013
Information for Patients
AFTER A MISCARRIAGE
This leaflet has been written to help you and your partner come to terms with your pregnancy loss. It contains advice concerning the physical and emotional effects of miscarriage.
Physical Effects
Bleeding
You may have bleeding, like a period, or a brown discharge for up to fourteen days. If the bleeding becomes heavy with clots, or if you have a bad discharge, please contact the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit or your GP.
Pain
You may experience ‘period type’ pains which should ease after a few days. Paracetamol can be taken to help with this.
Your next period
Your next period could occur anytime between 3 and 8 weeks after your miscarriage. It may be lighter or heavier than usual. Your normal menstrual cycle may be delayed by the upset of the miscarriage; if you are worried, please contact us.
Return to work
Physically, you should be fit to return to work after a few days, but you may not feel up to talking to others at this stage. The hospital can give you a note to send to your workplace.
Sex
You can resume intercourse when you both feel ready after the bleeding has stopped. It is possible to conceive another pregnancy before your next period so using contraception is advisable, if you do not wish to become pregnant straight away.
There is no evidence to show becoming pregnant soon after a miscarriage is physically a problem, but you may not be prepared emotionally. Your GP or Family planning Clinic will be able to advise you regarding contraception.
Sexual difficulties can occur after having a miscarriage. One partner may feel ready before the other, and this may cause resentment. It is important both of you discuss your feelings honestly, explaining how you feel and why. Some men feel making love to their partner is their way of showing how much they care, but this can sometimes be perceived as unfeeling, which is why it is so important to talk to each other.
Anti D
If your blood group is Rhesus Negative, you may be given an injection of Anti D. This is to prevent problems occurring in a future pregnancy, this stops the formation of antibodies in your blood against Rhesus Positive blood cells. The staff will inform you if you need an Anti D injection.
Emotional effects
Having a miscarriage affects couples in different ways. It may be the worst experience of your life and you may feel totally devastated, or you may feel ‘it has happened for a reason’.
Years ago a miscarriage was not spoken about – you ‘just got on with it’. Times have changed for the better, as you are now encouraged to talk and express your feelings about the baby you have lost.
You may feel angry – with each other, your GP or the hospital. It is normal to want to blame someone else. This will ease with time.
When you have had a miscarriage, you may feel that it is due to something you have done. Some couples can feel guilty because they have not been certain about continuing with the pregnancy.
Most early miscarriages are caused due to an error in the very early stages of cell division and could not have been prevented by drugs or continuous rest, so try not to blame yourselves.
Family and friends
Other people may find it difficult to express how they feel, and often don’t know what to say to you, particularly if they are pregnant or have recently had a baby.
Although difficult for you, it is best to be honest and tell them when you will be able to see them. If you want to be on your own for a while, tell them – they will understand.
Telling members of the family and friends can be difficult. It may be easier to tell just one person, who can then inform others on your behalf. Let everyone know that you will get in touch when you are ready.
Other children
If you have other children who were looking forward to having a brother or sister, telling them can add to your upset. It is better to be honest with them as they will accept the truth far better than a lie. If they find out at a later stage they may distrust you in the future.
It can be upsetting to see new born babies at the time of your miscarriage and also later when your baby would have been born. It is normal to feel angry, as your experience of miscarriage heightens your awareness. You will become less sensitive as you come to terms with your own loss.
Don’t be afraid to cry, it is a great stress reliever.
Advice for men
It can be difficult for a man to express his feelings of grief. You may feel you have to suffer in silence as you need to be strong for your partner or you may feel that all the attention is being directed at your partner and not yourself. It can also be hard for you to see your partner in pain. You can help by just being there for her.
You may feel angrier than your partner and you may feel like venting your anger on someone or something – this will ease. You may find it helpful to talk to a close friend or relative, or to a member of the nursing / medical staff.
You may find that your partner does not respond to you sexually after the miscarriage or you may feel unable to respond to her. It is important that you are honest with each other and explain how you feel. It can seem easier to clam up, but your partner may perceive this as not caring or indifferent.
What can we do to help?
You will also have been given a leaflet published by the Miscarriage Association. It is written by couples who have experienced a miscarriage. There are contact numbers so that you can speak to someone who understands what you are going through. They can also give you details of a support group in your area.
When you are ready for another pregnancy you will obviously feel very anxious. If you have had two or more miscarriages we can arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan at nine weeks. This can reassure you and can be booked through your GP or midwife.
If you have had three miscarriages in succession, or two if you are over the age of 35, we can arrange an appointment for both of you to be followed up with some investigations.
If you would like to talk to a member of staff please contact one of the numbers below. It does not matter when you had your miscarriage, we are available when you need us.
Contact Numbers:
Good Hope Hospital
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit Telephone Number (0121) 424 7747
Jacqui Rutter – Clinical Nurse Specialist Telephone (0121) 424 9737
Ward 2 Telephone (0121) 424 9202
Heartlands Hospital
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit Telephone Number(0121) 424 3506, Senior Nurse , Angela Sampson.
Gynaecology Matron Tracey Nash Bleep Number 2178,
Gynaecology Assessment Unit (0121) 424 3505
Our commitment to confidentiality
We keep personal and clinical information about you to ensure you receive appropriate care and treatment. Everyone working in the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.We will share information with other parts of the NHS to support your healthcare needs, and we will inform your GP of your progress unless you ask us not to. If we need to share information that identifies you with other organisations we will ask for your consent.
You can help us by pointing out any information in your records which is wrong or needs updating.
Additional Sources of Information:
Go online and view NHS Choices website for more information about a wide range of health topics
You may want to visit one of our Health Information Centres located in:
- Main Entrance at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital Tel: 0121 424 2280
- Treatment Centre at Good Hope Hospital Tel: 0121 424 9946or contact us by email: .
Dear Patient
We welcome your views on what you liked and suggestions for how things could be improved at this hospital. If you would like to tell us and others about your experience please make your comments through one of the following sites:-
- NHS Choice:-
- Patient Opinion:-
- I want great care:- you can leave feedback about your doctor)
Be helpful and respectful: think about what people might want to know about this hospital or how your experiences might benefit others. Remember your words must be polite and respectful, and you cannot name individuals on the NHS Choice or Patient Opinion sites.
If you have any questions you may want to ask about your condition or treatment, or anything you do not understand or wish to know more about, write them down and your doctor will be more than happy to try and answer them for you.
After a Miscarriage Page 1 of 4
Version 2, Next Review Date November 2013