Everyone heals differently and it takes time to recover from a miscarriage. While physical recovery can happen slowly, emotional healing can take longer. Knowing the typical signs of healing after miscarriage can help you understand what to expect as your body gets back to its normal cycle.
1. Bleeding Slowly Gets Lighter
It is normal to have vaginal bleeding or spotting after a miscarriage. Your bleeding should become lighter and eventually stop as your body heals.
The colour may also change after the bleeding stops. But if you experience heavy bleeding or bleeding that is getting heavier rather than lighter, you should talk to a healthcare professional.
2. Cramping Begins to Ease
In the course of your recovery you may experience mild cramping in the lower abdomen or pelvis. As the uterus goes back to its normal state, cramping should usually be less noticeable.
If the pain is severe, persistent or getting worse, don’t ignore it – get it checked by a healthcare professional.
3. Pregnancy Symptoms Disappear
As the levels of pregnancy hormones fall, you may notice the pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, breast tenderness and fatigue gradually disappear. Timing depends on the individual.
4. Energy levels begin to return
Some symptoms may take longer to fully resolve. It’s normal to feel tired after a miscarriage. Fatigue may be caused by physical recovery, hormonal changes, blood loss, and emotional stress.
One of the signs of healing after miscarriage is that you are slowly getting more energy back and can return to normal daily activities.
Don’t rush your recovery. Allow yourself to rest when you need to.
5. You Get Your Period Back
Your period can take a few weeks to return after a miscarriage. Your first period may also be different from your usual cycle.
You can get pregnant fairly quickly after a miscarriage because ovulation can occur before the first period. If you don’t want to become pregnant, talk to a health care professional about birth control.
6. Your Body Has More of Its Own Feel
As your hormone levels start to stabilise, and the physical symptoms start to improve, you may find that your appetite, sleep, energy, and general sense of well-being begin to return to the way they were before.
Recovery rarely follows a perfectly straight line. Some days will be better than others.
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7. Emotional Healing Takes Time
Physical healing and emotional healing do not always happen at the same speed. Even when your physical symptoms get better, you might still feel sad, anxious or grief-stricken.
You may start to experience signs that the emotional healing has begun such as being able to think about the experience without being overwhelmed by it each time, reconnecting with loved ones and slowly enjoying everyday activities.
Grief does not have a set timetable so don’t compare your progress to someone else’s.
When to Get Medical Help
Recovery takes time most of the time. Contact a health care professional if you develop:
- Heavy or increased bleeding
- Severe or worsening abdominal/pelvic pain
- Shivering or fever
- Dizziness, severe or lightheaded
- Abnormal or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Symptoms that are worrying you or not improving
Occasionally, these symptoms may indicate a complication that requires medical evaluation.
Helping You To Get Better
Rest when needed. Eat well balanced meals. Drink plenty of fluids. Gradually increase your activity to normal. Keep all follow-up appointments your health care professional recommends.
Emotional support is also important. You can also talk over your feelings with someone you trust, or get professional counselling.
Conclusion
You may notice typical signs of healing after miscarriage such as less bleeding, fewer cramps, a reduction in pregnancy symptoms, an increase in energy, and eventually your period returning. The emotional recovery may take longer and is not on any particular timetable.
Be patient with yourself and consult a doctor if you experience any concerning symptoms or have questions about your recovery.