Going through a pregnancy loss, often called a miscarriage, can take a physical and emotional toll on you. It’s something that many people face but can feel uncomfortable talking about. If you’re seeking guidance or are just curious about what pregnancy loss treatment looks like, and how it compares to an abortion, we’ll walk you through the details so you’re well informed about the entire process. 

‍

Remember that usually, there’s no difference between an abortion and a miscarriage. A provider cannot tell the difference between the two if you’d prefer to keep your abortion private when seeking follow up care or sharing your medical history.

What is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage, also known as early pregnancy loss, is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. It happens when a pregnancy stops growing or when it is expelled or pushed out of the uterus. 

‍

Miscarriages are fairly common and occur in about 20% of confirmed pregnancies. Despite how common they are, it doesn’t make them easier to deal with or process. But understand that if you’re experiencing an early pregnancy loss, you’re not alone.

‍

What causes a miscarriage?

A miscarriage is almost never caused by something the pregnant person did. Having sex while pregnant, past abortions, eating certain foods, exercising, and taking birth control in the past do not cause pregnancy loss. Rather, a miscarriage is usually caused by chromosomal genetic issues that happen by chance during the embryo’s early development. When a pregnancy starts, cells divide quickly to make an embryo, and sometimes mistakes occur. If the body notices that something isn’t right, the pregnancy may stop growing.

‍

Eighty percent of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, which is the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, the risk of miscarriage varies by week of pregnancy, and this risk decreases over time as the pregnancy continues:

‍

‍

What’s the difference between a miscarriage and an abortion?

From a medical perspective, there is no difference. Any pregnancy loss under 20 weeks is classified as an abortion, regardless of whether it occurs naturally or is induced with medication or a procedure. 

‍

Outside of a medical context, many people see a distinction, as miscarriage is often associated with unintentional loss, while abortion generally implies a choice. However, both experiences are deeply personal and can bring a wide range of emotions.

‍

In many instances, miscarriage can be treated with pills like mifepristone and misoprostol, the same medicines used in a medication abortion. These medications can help your body pass any pregnancy tissue, and are actually the most effective way to medically manage a miscarriage. In most cases, it is virtually impossible for someone to tell if you’ve had an abortion or a miscarriage. 

‍

If you need medication abortion pills to manage a miscarriage, you can get care with Hey Jane from the comfort and convenience of home. Simply schedule a consultation delivered via phone or video to determine your eligibility for Hey Jane’s medical services. 

Types of miscarriage

There are several types of miscarriages that vary by when the miscarriage occurs, symptoms, and severity. Here’s a look at the different types of miscarriages:

‍

Diagnosis

If you believe you’re having a miscarriage, there are a few ways a health care provider can confirm it, including:

‍

Remember, it is virtually impossible for someone to know if you’ve had an abortion versus a miscarriage. If you do not want to disclose that you are going through or have recently gone through a medication abortion, you can always say that you had a miscarriage. Your partner or health care provider will not be able to tell the difference unless they can see abortion pill residue in your vagina, which usually goes away within one day.

‍

How to confirm a miscarriage at home

Visiting your health care provider is the best route for confirming a miscarriage, as at-home pregnancy tests can still be positive depending on when the pregnancy stopped growing. With this in mind, it can help to see your health care provider to confirm what’s going on with your pregnancy.

‍

Treatment

If your health care provider confirms a miscarriage, they will recommend the best approach for managing it. The goal of any treatment is to fully remove any pregnancy tissue left in your uterus. 

Here are the most common miscarriage treatments:

‍

Recovery & aftercare

It can be quite tough for some people to recover from having a miscarriage. It is both a physical and emotional process that everyone deals with differently.  To help you navigate this journey, here’s what you might expect after having a miscarriage:

‍

Physical recovery

Most people physically recover from a miscarriage within a few hours to a couple of days, and experience symptoms like bleeding or spotting (sometimes with clots), cramps, and belly or back pain. If you experience any of the following, you should go to the nearest emergency room ASAP:

‍

Pads are the best way to measure bleeding, but you can use whatever method to manage bleeding that you are comfortable with. After an abortion or miscarriage, you can expect a menstrual cycle three to eight weeks later. Most people can expect to bleed for at least a week

‍

Mental recovery

Having a miscarriage can understandably impact your mental health and well-being. You may have feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, regret, and maybe even shock—which are all normal to experience. Please know that a miscarriage is not your fault. It’s something that many people go through, so don’t feel like you’re alone in this.

‍

Some patients who are seeking an abortion learn during the process that they are actually experiencing pregnancy loss, which can be hard too. Just because you weren’t planning to continue the pregnancy doesn’t mean that you can’t be sad about having a miscarriage.

‍

Getting support

When you’re going through a miscarriage, it can be hard to get others to understand what you’re going through. There are several support systems available to help you navigate this journey.

• Support groups: Whether you prefer in-person or online, there are ways to connect with others who’ve experienced miscarriage. At Hey Jane, patients can access a peer-to-peer online community where current and past patients connect to provide support and offer advice. You can also check out our Resources page for more information on where to get support, or throughtheheart.org 
• Counseling: Sometimes, talking to a mental health professional can help you better process your range of emotions and work through the grief. 
• Talking to a friend: Finding someone you trust and know will be a listening ear can provide a huge relief when navigating a miscarriage. 

‍

Can you get pregnant after a miscarriage?

Yes, most types of pregnancy loss don't make it more difficult to get pregnant in the future. In fact, most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy, and only about 1 percent of people of reproductive age experience recurrent pregnancy loss. 

‍

There is a chance you could become pregnant during the very next menstrual cycle after a miscarriage. But it’s crucial to make sure you’re physically and mentally ready to conceive before trying again.

‍

‍

Although miscarriages are a common occurrence for many people, they can be challenging to navigate. Knowing what to expect, how to get diagnosed, and your treatment options can make this journey less overwhelming.