Miscarriages are devastating. Whether you were trying to get pregnant or it happened by accident, losing a pregnancy can be an emotionally trying time.
On top of the pain and anguish, your body will also go through some changes and will be working hard to heal. If you’re anxious to try and get pregnant again, you may be wondering when your next period will come, and what to expect.
Here are five things you should know:
1. Your Miscarriage May Not Have Been a Miscarriage
Was it a miscarriage or period? Many women who are trying to get pregnant have a hard time telling the difference between the two.
If you’ve confirmed your pregnancy though an at-home test and with a physician, then you can be certain that what you experienced was a miscarriage. However, if your pregnancy was not confirmed, you may have simply experienced a regular period.
Common symptoms of a miscarriage include:
- Intense cramping: Some women experience both of these symptoms during their period, but a miscarriage will intensify them even further. The pain may be so severe that it becomes debilitating.
- Heavy bleeding: Bleeding may be exceptionally heavy, depending on how far along you were. You may also notice blood clots in your vaginal discharge.
If you believe that you have miscarried and did not confirm your pregnancy with your doctor, make an appointment as soon as possible for a checkup. Some natural miscarriages fail to remove all of the fetal tissue, which can lead to issues and prevent your body from healing.
2. No Period after a Miscarriage is Normal
It’s been about a month since your miscarriage, but you have yet to get your period. In most cases, this is no cause for alarm.
After a miscarriage, the body needs time to heal. It may take some time for hCG to clear out of your system and for your body to return to normal.
After your hCG levels return to zero, your first period should begin approximately four weeks later. After the miscarriage occurs, you should continue bleeding for about a week.
At this point, the bleeding may stop completely, or you may experience spotting for another week. Once the spotting and bleeding has stopped, your hCG levels should return to zero.
Remember, your body is working hard to return back to its normal hormone levels. Some women may not get their first period after miscarriage until seven weeks later.
3. A Second Round of Bleeding is Also Normal
Although not as common, some women may stop bleeding quickly after a miscarriage, and then experience heavy bleeding one to two weeks later. This can easily be mistaken for a second period after miscarriage, but this is likely not the case unless at least 20 days have passed.
A second round of bleeding is typically normal even though it’s not common. This second round of bleeding is usually the result of the body trying to expel a portion of the placenta that remained in the uterus during the initial miscarriage.
Bleeding should last no more than a few days, and you should resume normal spotting afterwards.
4. Irregular Periods after a Miscarriage May Be a Sign of Hormone Issues
It may take some time for your period to return to normal, but if you’re experiencing irregular periods after a miscarriage, it may be time to see the doctor. An irregular cycle is typically an indication that your hormones are out of balance.
It may be taking your body longer to heal after the miscarriage, or there may be an underlying medical issue. Some women may experiencing spotting on and off during the first month after a miscarriage.
If this is occurring and your hCG levels are still high, there may be remaining tissue in the uterus that still needs to pass. If your body is unable to expel the tissue on its own, your doctor can give you medication to complete this process and help your cycle return to normal.
5. A Heavy Period after Miscarriage May be Cause for Concern
If 20 days have passed since your miscarriage, a heavy period may be completely normal (if you were a heavy bleeder before the pregnancy). However, if you are experiencing heavy bleeding for two weeks or more after a miscarriage, you need to see your doctor right away.
There are two major causes for concern here: 1. The loss of blood can cause you to become ill, and 2.
Your hCG levels may reach 500 or higher. It may be that you are experiencing a molar pregnancy, which is a condition that causes your body to produce higher-than-normal hCG levels and bleeding for several months.
Or, it may be that a piece of the tissue is lodged in your reproductive system. In either case, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.