A miscarriage is a deeply emotional, physical experience often caused by natural factors beyond one’s control. Understanding it’s causes, case, recovery helps ensure better health and emotional healing
A miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, refers to the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. It is a deeply emotional experience, but it is more common than most people realise—affecting about 10–20% of known pregnancies. While it can be distressing, it’s important to understand that in most cases, a miscarriage is not caused by anything a person did or didn’t do. The most frequent reason is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, which prevent normal development.
Physically, a miscarriage may begin with vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or cramping. After it occurs, medical attention is essential to ensure that no tissue remains in the uterus, which could cause infection or complications. Depending on the situation, doctors may recommend letting the tissue pass naturally, prescribing medication, or performing a minor surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C).
Emotionally, the aftermath can be just as challenging as the physical recovery. Feelings of grief, guilt, or sadness are normal. Seeking support—from a partner, family, counsellor, or support group—can be an important part of healing. It’s also vital to allow time before trying to conceive again. Many doctors suggest waiting until after one or two normal menstrual cycles, though the timeline can vary based on emotional readiness and medical advice.
If miscarriages occur more than once, doctors often recommend further investigations, including genetic testing, hormonal assessments, and uterine scans, to identify any underlying issues.
To understand this issue in greater detail, we talked to some of the experts in the medical fraternity. Read further for in-depth understanding about miscarriage.
Dr. Rashmi N, Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kothanur, Bangalore on Miscarriage
Experiencing a miscarriage can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, and it’s natural for women and their families to feel deeply concerned. It’s important to understand that in most cases, miscarriages are not anyone’s fault. They often occur due to chromosomal abnormalities in the developing embryo — something that happens by chance and cannot be prevented. Having a miscarriage once does not mean that a woman will face fertility problems or that it will happen again.
After a miscarriage, the first step is to ensure physical recovery. Rest, hydration, and a follow-up scan to confirm that the uterus has cleared completely are the next steps. Medications or minor procedures may sometimes be needed. It’s also crucial to focus on emotional healing — feelings of sadness, guilt, or anxiety are normal, and professional counselling or support groups can make a big difference.
Before trying to conceive again, it is better to first assess your overall health, check for any underlying conditions, and discuss appropriate timing. With the right medical care, nutrition, and emotional support, most women go on to experience healthy pregnancies in the future.
Dr. Divya Sahitya Nambala, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Visakhapatnam
Miscarriage is a more frequent occurrence than most people are aware of, 15-20% of pregnancies come to an end this way. Most of the time, the woman is not guilty because of her actions or inactions. According to the research, most miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo that means the failure of development of a proper baby. So, yes, even though the disappointment is present, quite often one abortion is not a reason for concern in the long-term fertility or any other future pregnancies.
Still, this is a very crucial and significant point that a miscarriage has to be considered both from a medical and a human perspective. The first step after a miscarriage is the visit to the gynecologist who checks, helps with proper emptying of the products of infection from the uterus and helps rule of the presence of any infection. The doctor might ask you to undergo a few blood tests and perform ultrasound. If there are more than two miscarriages, besides this, a consultation with a fertility specialist is recommended. It may include hormone tests, thyroid levels, a uterine scan, genetic testing, and lifestyle assessment.
Definitely, physical and emotional support is necessary too. One should feel these emotions of grief, guilt, and anxiety, and accordingly find support in an understanding partner, friends, talking to a counsellor or sharing with a support group.
Dr. Shefali Tyagi, Senior Consultant- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Sarjapur
Miscarriage can be an overwhelming emotional experience and it’s natural for women and their families to be distressed. It is important to understand that most miscarriages are caused due to natural causes like chromosomal abnormalities which can’t be controlled by anyone.
After a miscarriage, the initial step is to ensure that the uterus has been completely cleansed. Occasionally it happens spontaneously but in rare cases it would need a medical procedure or a medication to remove the remaining tissue. To ensure that everything is back to a normal state, a doctor might also recommend an ultrasound.
It’s critical to have proper rest and nutrition during this journey as the body would need some time to regain strength. Consuming iron-rich foods, staying hydrated and avoiding intense physical activity for a while would help. It is also recommended that one should avoid trying for another pregnancy until the body and menstrual cycle are back to normal which is typically after two or three months. Medical attention should be sought immediately if one notices warning signs such as excessive bleeding, fever or severe pain.
Emotional health is equally important to be given attention and it’s normal to feel depressed, guilty or scared and it’s suitable to seek help from a counsellor or support group during this time. Expressing feelings will help them to recover faster. Many women may come to terms with the possibility of delivering unhealthy babies but experiencing a miscarriage does not imply that they cannot have a healthy pregnancy in the future.
Regular follow-ups, proper care and a positive outlook can make recovery smoother. The key is not to lose hope. With proper medical care and emotional support, the body heals and so does the heart.