Logan Reid
Experiencing a miscarriage can be emotionally and physically challenging, and hospitals offer various services to support women through this difficult time. The treatment options include medication to speed up the passing of pregnancy tissue, or surgery to remove any remaining tissue. Hospitals may also provide counselling, bereavement support, and memorial services to help women cope with the emotional aspects of miscarriage. While there is no legal requirement for a funeral or cremation, hospitals will usually cremate the pregnancy tissue according to their protocol unless otherwise specified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Hospitals may offer medicine to speed up the passing of pregnancy tissue, or surgery to remove it. |
| Emotional Support | Hospitals may offer counselling, support groups, or social workers to help with the emotional aspects of miscarriage. |
| Practical Support | Hospitals may provide information on what to expect physically after a miscarriage, such as bleeding, breast pain, and future fertility. |
| Pregnancy Tissue | Hospitals may examine and cremate the pregnancy tissue, or offer memorial services to commemorate the loss. |
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What You'll Learn
Hospitals may offer counselling and support services
Experiencing a miscarriage can be emotionally and physically painful. It is common to feel anxious about future pregnancies and may take time to be emotionally ready to try for another pregnancy. Hospitals recognise this and often offer counselling and support services to help you cope with the loss.
Some hospitals offer shared memorial services to commemorate pregnancy loss. Hospitals may also offer social workers or bereavement support to help you through the grieving process. Support groups, counsellors, and grief and loss websites can also provide information and assistance. For instance, Red Nose Grief and Loss provides support for people affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth, baby or child death.
In addition, hospitals may offer support booklets about miscarriage in many community languages. For instance, NSW Health in Australia has a booklet about miscarriage in many community languages. Hospitals may also be able to direct you to other resources and support groups. For example, The Pink Elephants provide information and peer support for anyone impacted by early pregnancy loss.
If you feel anxious about a possible loss in future pregnancies, you may find it helpful to talk to someone about this. Your doctor, community support group and counsellors can provide information and assistance. It is important to know that miscarriages are common and that you did not cause the miscarriage.
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Surgery may be required to remove remaining pregnancy tissue
If you have had a miscarriage, you may need to have any remaining pregnancy tissue removed from your womb. This is sometimes called the management of miscarriage.
If you have had an incomplete miscarriage, where some but not all of the pregnancy tissue has passed, the remaining tissue will often pass within days. However, if the tissue does not pass naturally, you may need surgery to remove it. This is called surgical management.
Surgical management involves removing the remaining tissue from your womb using a gentle suction device. The cervix (neck of the uterus) is gently opened and the remaining pregnancy tissue is removed so that the uterus is empty. The procedure usually takes five to ten minutes, but you will usually need to be in the hospital for around four to five hours, most of which will be spent waiting and recovering.
You may be given tablets or vaginal pessaries to soften your cervix before the procedure. If you are Rhesus negative, you will be given an injection of anti-D medication before the procedure to prevent your baby from getting Rhesus disease if you get pregnant again.
Surgery may be recommended if you have a missed or incomplete miscarriage, heavy bleeding, signs of infection, or if you develop a fever.
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Medication can be provided to speed up the passing of pregnancy tissue
After a miscarriage, medication can be provided to speed up the passing of pregnancy tissue. This is called the medical management approach. If you choose this option, you will be prescribed pills called misoprostol (brand name: Cytotec) to make the miscarriage happen sooner. The pills are inserted directly into the vagina, where they dissolve. Within a few hours, the cervix will open, and the tissue will pass out. This usually happens within a day or two, but it can take up to two weeks, or occasionally longer.
Medication is not suitable if there is very heavy bleeding or signs of infection. It is also not recommended for pregnancies older than about nine weeks. If the tissue does not pass naturally within two weeks, your doctor will recommend a dilatation and curettage (D&C) procedure. This involves removing the remaining tissue from your womb with a suction device. The procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes, and you will need to be in the hospital for around four to five hours, mostly for waiting and recovering.
If you choose to wait and see if the tissue passes naturally, this is called 'expectant management'. In the case of an incomplete miscarriage, the tissue will often pass within a few days. For a missed miscarriage, it might take up to three to four weeks. During this time, you may have some bleeding and spotting, similar to a period. When the pregnancy tissue passes, you are likely to experience heavier bleeding and period-like cramps.
Treatment for miscarriage is aimed at avoiding heavy bleeding and infection, as well as providing physical and emotional support. It is important to seek medical advice if you experience strong pain and bleeding, abnormal discharge, fever, or other concerning symptoms.
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Hospitals may offer memorial services and bereavement support
Experiencing a miscarriage can be emotionally and physically challenging. Hospitals recognise this and often offer memorial services and bereavement support to help you cope with the loss.
Memorial Services
Some hospitals offer shared memorial services to commemorate pregnancy loss. These services provide an opportunity for parents to come together and mourn their loss in a shared space. If the hospital does not offer a memorial service, you may choose to make your own arrangements to mark your loss. This may include engaging a private funeral director or seeking advice from a religious leader about having a funeral, burial, or cremation.
Bereavement Support
Hospitals may offer access to social workers, counsellors, or support groups to provide emotional support and help you navigate the grieving process. This support can be crucial in helping you process your emotions and come to terms with your loss. It can also help you feel less alone in your grief, as you connect with others who have experienced similar losses.
External Support
In addition to hospital-based support, there are external organisations that provide bereavement support specifically for pregnancy loss. These organisations often offer 24-hour hotlines or peer-support services, allowing you to seek help and connect with others whenever you need it. Examples of such organisations include Red Nose Grief and Loss, The Pink Elephants, and NSW Health.
Medical Support
It is important to remember that the physical recovery from a miscarriage can also impact your emotional state. Hospitals can provide medical advice and support to help manage any physical symptoms and ensure your health and well-being. This may include recommendations for pain management, breast care, and information about what to expect physically after a miscarriage.
The support offered by hospitals and external organisations aims to provide a holistic approach to help you navigate the emotional and practical aspects of coping with a miscarriage.
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Hospitals may examine pregnancy tissue in a laboratory
A miscarriage can be physically and emotionally painful. It is natural to feel upset and you may need counselling or support. Hospitals may offer support to help you cope with the emotional and practical aspects of this difficult experience.
If you have a miscarriage, you may need to have any remaining pregnancy tissue removed from your womb. Medicine can be taken to speed up the process of passing the pregnancy tissue. However, medication is not suitable if there is heavy bleeding or signs of infection. In some cases, surgery is used to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue.
If you miscarry at home, you should see your doctor to confirm that the miscarriage is complete and that you do not need any medical treatment. You may decide to collect any tissue you pass in a container to take to your appointment. Hospitals may then examine the pregnancy tissue in a laboratory. This is done to try to find a cause, especially if you have had multiple miscarriages. However, it is important to remember that most miscarriages happen without an identifiable cause.
If you miscarry in hospital, you may wish to see your baby. The pregnancy tissue is commonly examined in a laboratory and then cremated according to hospital protocol. Some hospitals will raise these issues with you, but if they do not, it is important to raise these issues yourself if you want your preferences to be considered.
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Frequently asked questions
After a miscarriage, the hospital may offer support and counselling to help you cope with the physical and emotional pain. You may also be advised to take a home pregnancy test 3 weeks after the miscarriage to ensure that it has been completed.
Depending on the hospital, the pregnancy tissue is either examined in a laboratory and then cremated or sent for testing to identify the cause of the miscarriage. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove any remaining tissue.
If you experience heavy bleeding, strong pain, abnormal discharge, or a fever, you should go to the hospital as these symptoms may indicate an infection or that there is remaining tissue.
