Miscarriage Management

We offer treatment for early pregnancy loss, whether due to a miscarriage, a fetal anomaly, or medications that induce a miscarriage.

If you are thinking of using an online outlet such as Hey Jane for abortion pills, consider partnering with us to assure your safety and comfort. Here at STWHS we can evaluate bleeding and offer an ultrasound to rule out serious complications such as a tubal pregnancy. We offer medical expertise, support, and treatment if needed.

Common Questions

The most commonly asked questions and our answers.

Am I having a miscarriage?

A miscarriage, also called a spontaneous abortion, means that the pregnancy has failed and is no longer growing normally. You may have a “threatened miscarriage” which means the doctor is not sure whether you have started to miscarry or not.

Miscarriage is quite common—some estimates are as high as 15-20% of all pregnancies. If you have had 3 or 4 early miscarriages, and want to have a successful pregnancy, you should see a gynecologist who specializes in infertility.

What are the signs that I might be miscarrying?

You may have light or even heavy bleeding during early pregnancy. This may include passing blood clots, have abdominal pain or cramping, usually with bleeding. If you had nausea or other pregnancy symptoms, you may notice a decrease in symptoms.

Why do miscarriages occur?

In the early stages of pregnancy cells divide rapidly as the gestational sac and embryo form. Errors in this cell duplication are the most common cause of miscarriages. Unless there are repeated miscarriages, most often there is no concern about a recurring fertility problem. It is usually a random event that is not likely to happen again. It is generally NOT caused by anything you did or did not do. It is unlikely that it could have been prevented.

How can I know if I am having a miscarriage?

Pregnancy tests can be helpful in evaluating an early pregnancy loss. Urine tests may be enough or a series of blood tests may be required. An ultrasound in our office can often tell if the pregnancy is in trouble. Our doctor can also evaluate the cervix and uterus by doing an exam. Sometimes an evaluation over a week or two will be needed to conclusively determine whether or not you are losing the pregnancy.

IF I AM MISCARRYING, What are my treatment options?

1. Abortion Procedure (Vacuum aspiration)

   The most effective treatment to resolve an early miscarriage is an aspiration of the uterus, which returns the lining to a non pregnant state. This simple procedure uses a gentle suctioning to remove the pregnancy and can be completed in 3-5 minutes in our office. (The whole process in our office will take longer.) If you need something to relax or pain medication we offer that at no extra charge. You will be able to resume your normal activities quickly.

2. Abortion Pill (mifepristone or misoprostol medication)

   These medications cause the pregnancy to detach and the uterus to contract, which assists your body’s natural process of expelling the pregnancy tissue. You are likely to experience cramping and heavy bleeding for several hours and continued lighter bleeding for 1-2 weeks. Medication does not always work so it is important to return to be checked out in a week. If it doesn’t work, an aspiration (suctioning) may be needed to complete the miscarriage.

3. “Wait and See” Approach

   Also called "expectant management". You can choose to have the miscarriage occur naturally. Generally, this option works best in pregnancies under 7 weeks. At this stage, the experience of a miscarriage can be similar to having a heavy period with strong menstrual cramps for a day or two. Some miscarriages will not complete on their own. There is a possibility of prolonged bleeding (up to several weeks), retained pregnancy tissue, or the risk of too much bleeding (hemorrhage). You should be checked within a week after you start bleeding to be sure the miscarriage is complete. If it doesn’t work, an vacuum aspiration procedure may be needed to complete the miscarriage.