Recover after delivery /miscarriege/abortion

A miscarriage is the sudden end of a pregnancy. About 10 to 25 percent of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage. For the most part, miscarriages are unpreventable and the result of an abnormality of the fetus. Recovering from a miscarriage, emotionally and physically, takes time.

Part One of Three:
Recovering Physically

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   Discuss your recovery with a doctor. You should seek medical help during the first signs of a miscarriage. Recovery depends on your personal health and stage of pregnancy.

   • An ultrasound can be used to detect a miscarriage. You have several choices about how you wish to proceed medically. The right choice depends heavily on your own personal preference and your stage of pregnancy.^[1]
   • You can let the miscarriage happen naturally if there are no signs of infection. It takes anywhere between one and four weeks for the process to complete. This process can be emotionally difficult. Many women opt to speed a miscarriage medically. Medication can cause your body to expel the pregnancy and might minimize side effects like nausea and diarrhea. This treatment works within 24 hours in 70 to 90 percent of women.^[2]
   • A surgical procedure may be necessary if there is heavy bleeding or infection. Your health care provider will dilate your cervix and remove the tissues from inside your uterus. This procedure could potentially damage your uterine wall, but such complications are very rare.^[3]
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   Prepare for potential side effects. Physically, miscarriages may come with certain side effects. Be prepared to experience the following during a miscarriage:

   • Mild to severe back pain
   • Weight loss
   • White-pink mucus
   • Brown or bright red discharge^[4]
   • Always see a doctor if side effects get worse. You want to make sure any infections or complications are dealt with quickly.
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   Take any medication prescribed. After a miscarriage, your doctor may prescribe you certain medications. These can prevent infections and help manage the pain. Take any medications the doctor prescribes as directed.

   • Most medications will be prescribed to prevent hemorrhaging. The farther along you are in your pregnancy, the more likely hemorrhaging will be. Your doctor will prescribe medication designed to help your blood clot and prevent excessive bleeding. Take all the meds as directed. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.^[5]
   • Antibiotics will likely be prescribed if your doctor worries you're at risk for an infection. Take all antibiotics as directed and make sure you do not engage in any activities, such as consuming alcohol, that will make the drugs less effective.^[6]
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   Deal with the physical recovery at home. Once you've dealt with the miscarriage medically, you need to recover at home. Talk to your doctor about how to give yourself time to heal.

   • For the first two weeks after your miscarriage, refrain from sex and do not put anything, such as a tampon, in your vagina.^[7]
   • When you can return to normal activity depends on your personal health and how far along the pregnancy was at the time of the miscarriage. Talk to your doctor about when to return to normal activity and any precautions you should take.^[8]
   • Recovery generally takes from a few hours to a few days. Your period should return within 4 to 6 weeks.^[9]
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Part Two of Three:
Coping Emotionally

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   Allow yourself time to grieve. Miscarrying is an incredibly emotional experience. It's normal to feel a sense of loss and you need to allow yourself time to grieve the baby.

   • The emotions you experienced after a miscarriage are normal and may be quite intense. Many women feel sadness or anger. Some unfairly blame themselves or those around them. Allow yourself to experience emotions, even negative ones. Journaling your thoughts during the weeks following your miscarriage can be a healthy way to process your feelings.^[10]
   • Remember, hormones play a roll as well. The hormonal response you have to pregnancy and miscarriage increase the intensity of your emotions. It's not uncommon to cry for prolonged periods in the wake of a miscarriage. Trouble eating and sleeping are also common after losing a baby.^[11]
   • While the emotions may be difficult to deal with, you need to allow yourself to experience them fully. Try to remind yourself these feelings are temporary and, with time, you'll feel closer to normal.^[12]
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   Seek support from others. Having a strong support network is very important after a miscarriage. Seek out guidance, comfort, and advice from those around you, especially people who've undergone a similar ordeal.

   • Nurses at hospitals see a lot of miscarriages. Talk to the nurse who worked with you and see if she knows any support groups in the area. It can be hard to make others understand a miscarriage. Many women find it helpful to talk to people who've undergone the same experience.^[13]
   • Try to explain to your loved ones how you are feeling and what you need from them. Some people need a lot of extra support after a miscarriage while others might crave space. There is no wrong way to feel after suffering pregnancy loss.^[14]
   • There are many resources online that address pregnancy loss and some include forums where you can share your thoughts with others. Sites like angelfire.com, mend.org, and aplacetoremember.com are good sites to go to in the weeks after your miscarriage.^[15]
3. 
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   Prepare for misguided comments. Many people will say the wrong thing to you after a miscarriage. For the most part, people are not trying to be hurtful but they may be at a loss as to what to say. When trying to help, your loved ones may end up saying the wrong thing.

   • Many people will make comments trying to help you feel better. They may say something like, "At least you weren't very far along" or "You can try again." If you have other children, they might advise you to take comfort in them. They fail to realize such comments negate the loss you're suffering.^[16]
   • Try to cope with these comments without getting angry. Simply say something like, "I know you are trying to help, and I appreciate that, but those kinds of comments aren't helpful right now." The vast majority of people do not mean to offend and will genuinely want to know if they're saying anything upsetting to you.^[17]
4. 
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   See a therapist, if necessary. It takes time to recover from a miscarriage. However, if it's been more than a few months and you're still feeling off you may need psychiatric help. A miscarriage can be traumatic. The assistance of a professional therapist or counselor can help you manage your grief.

   • You can find a therapist by calling your insurance provider and asking what doctors in your area are covered by your program. You can also ask for a referral from your general practitioner of OB/GYN.
   • If cost is an issue, many therapist and psychiatrist offer sliding scales. There are also low cost clinics in most big cities that offer free or discounted counseling.
   
   
   Part T

Moving Forward

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   Decide when and if to try again. Unless your miscarriage is a result of a specific reproductive problem, most women can conceive again after miscarrying. When and if you make this decision is personal and depends on a number of factors.

   • The World Health Organization recommends waiting at least six months to try conceive again. However, medically delaying conception has little benefits. If you are otherwise healthy and feel emotionally ready, you should be able to conceive as soon as your menstrual cycle resumes.^[18]
   • Be aware that pregnancy after a miscarriage can be an anxious experience. Many women worry about a miscarriage happening again. Make sure you're ready for the emotional toll of undergoing another pregnancy before trying to conceive again. Less than 5% of women have two consecutive miscarriages. The odds are in your favor. Knowing this can help some women manage the anxiety.^[19]
   • If you've had more than two miscarriages, you should talk to a doctor and get tested for a variety of medical problems that can cause miscarriage. If problems can be diagnosed and treated, you'll increase the likelihood of carrying a baby to term.^[20]
2. 
   2
   Learn about how to prevent a miscarriage in the future. The vast majority of miscarriages are unpreventable. However, there are some things you can do to minimize your risk of miscarrying.

   • Maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy. Exercise regularly and keep your weight gain consistent with medical guidelines. Eat a healthy diet and avoid anything, like soft cheeses or raw meats, that could be damaging to the fetus.^[21]
   • Do not smoke or drink alcohol when pregnant. Limit caffeine consumption to one 12 ounce cup of coffee each day.^[22]
   • Take prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements daily.^[23]
3. 
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   Discuss your future plans with your doctor. Any plans you make regarding another pregnancy after a miscarriage should be discussed with your doctor. When it comes to pregnancy, there are no hard and fast rules applicable to every woman. Only a medical professional familiar with your health records and medical history can advise you on any extra steps you should take moving forward after a miscarriage.^[24]

What are the best steps you can take after miscarriage to help your body recover and to prepare for your next pregnancy? There are many supportive steps you can take that will help you cope with the miscarriage you just experienced, or may be currently experiencing. These steps will help to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy the next time around. I will share with you ways to heal your body physically and emotionally after miscarriage.

Most women are eager to begin trying to conceive again after miscarriage.Women write us daily wondering what they can do right away to help move the miscarriage along and to get-back-in-the-trying-to-conceive-saddle. This five step guide will help you to learn important steps to get your body ready for your next pregnancy.

Five Steps to Miscarriage Recovery

We have 5 easy steps for you to aid in your recovery. Before your first period begins, it is best to follow step 1 through 3. Once your period has come back continue to eat well. We suggest eating a fertility diet, but also consider including steps 4 & 5.

Step 1: Nourishing Foods

One of the single best things you can do for yourself after miscarriage is to nourish your body with healthy foods. The body will be going through a lot of changes physically, the mind may feel overwhelmed and exhausted and you may be an emotional wreck. Nourishing your body with simple, quick whole foods is vital. Because you may lose more blood than usual, you will want to increase your intake of iron rich foods as well. Think of foods rich in vitamins and minerals; foods that will help support energy levels and body function. Soups, smoothies and stews come to mind. These foods are easy to digest and can be easy to prepare. Plus they are usually filled with a variety of nourishing whole foods.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Perhaps your partner can cook for the first week, or you can ask a family member or close friend to bring you a meal, or come over and help prepare a meal.

Nourishing foods for miscarriage recovery:

Eat iron rich foods such as bison, chicken, eggs, red meat, Atlantic wild salmon, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, beans, nettles, raspberry leaf, seaweed, dark leafy greens, Turkish apricots (unsulphured) and quinoa.

Make nourishing soups! Soup is easy for the body to digest and warms the body. Consider adding some astragalus root while your soup is cooking. A variety of greens and other vegetables will help you to get nutrients your body needs at this time. Avoid canned soups. Consider trying to make the soup first thing in the morning in your slow cooker. That way when evening comes, your dinner is ready! Try this recipe from our 21 Day Fertility Diet Challenge eBook!

Bok Choy Miso Soup
2 tablespoons oil
4 leaves of Bok Choy, rinsed, sliced in 1 inch ribbons including stems
4 cups vegetable broth
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1/2 cup bamboo shoots
2 green onions sliced
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon tamari
1 garlic clove crushed
2 tablespoons miso paste
black pepper to taste

1. In a heavy soup pot place oil, turn to medium heat, put in carrots and garlic, saute until almost tender.
2. Add broth, tamari, and mushrooms, bring to a boil, once boiling reduce heat to low so that soup is simmering, simmer until mushrooms are almost done.
3. Add green onion, Bok Choy, black pepper and bamboo shoots, cook for a few minutes, add miso. Stir until miso is well blended. Add additional sliced shallot for garnish if desired.

Serves 2

Drink a Fertility Smoothie Daily!Fertility Smoothies are definitely one of our favorites here! They help you to get a ton of nutrition in a simple way. Toss all the ingredients in a blender and wala you have a ton of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Plus you can add supportive fertility superfoods which help support hormonal balance in the body. We like maca and royal jelly.

Enjoy this delicious smoothie recipe, a personal favorite of mine!

Purple Protein Smoothie
1/4 cup almond butter
1 cup plain organic yogurt
2 cups frozen blueberries
1 banana
1 pear, peeled and seeds removed
2 tsp. maca powder
1 tsp. royal jelly
Agave to taste
rice milk, enough for desired consistency

Serves 2

Continue your prenatal vitamin. If you were not taking one, begin now. This will help you to get all necessary nutrients you need daily. This will continue to help your recovery and prepare your body for when you do become pregnant again. Be sure your prenatal vitamin is whole food or food based when possible. This ensures your body is assimilating the nutrients properly.

Step 2: Herbs for Recovery Wellness

There are specific herbs that when combined may support healthy miscarriage recovery. How long until I can begin these herbs after miscarriage? The following herbs may be considered for use right away, even while you are still bleeding. This combination of herbs is best begun right away, as close to the miscarriage as possible. Be sure that you know for sure you are having a miscarriage before beginning them.

These herbs focus on supporting healthy circulation to the reproductive organs, so that the miscarriage is complete, anti-inflammatory herbs to help prevent cramping and uterine spasm, so pain is reduced and the uterus can work efficiently. In addition specific herbs help to
promote emotional wellbeing, curb heavy bleeding, and promote hormonal balance to help get your cycle back on track.

Angelica root (Angelica archangelica): Angelica is an excellent warming herb that increases circulation, dispels cold from the reproductive organs, while supporting the nervous system, promoting relaxation, peaceful thoughts, and reducing anxiety. It is a uterine antispasmodic, supports general weakness and stimulates immune system function. This herb is specific for digestion support, which as discussed in step 1 is vital for miscarriage recovery. All of these actions support vital miscarriage recovery with well rounded body system stimulation.

Black Cohosh root (Actaea racemosa): Black cohosh is anti-inflammatory and helps to relax the uterus, which reduces uterine pain and spasm in both the smooth muscles. This herb promotes healthy blood flow to the pelvic area, which may be helpful in moving the miscarriage along. For post-miscarriage recovery Black cohosh also helps to tone the pelvic floor muscles, through stimulation of mild pelvic floor muscle contraction. Black cohosh has been used for hundreds of years to help promote regular contractions, this is very important to get the uterus back to it’s pre-pregnancy state. This herb may help promote regulation of the menstrual cycle, aiding the body in getting the cycle back on track post-miscarriage.

St. John’s wort flower, upper aerial parts (Hypericum perforatum): St. John’s wort may help to reduce nervous excitement and anxiety. It is a mild sedative that helps to relieve mild depression; aids the body in “lifting the spirit”. Also supports prevention of infection and is anti-inflammatory.

Caution: This herb should not be used if you are on antidepressants, nor should be combined with birth control pill use. Some studies have shown it lessens the effects of birth control use.

Yarrow leaf/flower (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow promotes circulation, yet is extremely astringent, stopping excessive blood flow. It is an herb of opposites, it promotes sweating and detoxification, but strengthens and tightens tissues. This is excellent for miscarriage recovery. It will help to get the reproductive organs and surrounding tissues ready for your next pregnancy. Yarrow relieves inflammation and congestion of the uterus, which aids in pain reduction. Yarrow is one of the best herbs to curb heavy bleeding. It may help to move the miscarriage along, so you can get back to tending to your life.

Vitex also known as Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus): Vitex has a regulating effect on the hormonal feedback loop, mainly the pituitary gland. This kind of support may help to get your hormones back on track to regulating the menstrual cycle once again.

These herbs are best used for up to six weeks after miscarriage has occurred

Step 3: Stress Reduction

Miscarriage brings up a lot of emotions: anger, fear, guilt, sadness and worry. What did I do wrong? Is my body capable? Why did this happen? What can I do to prevent another miscarriage from happening? All of these thoughts racing through your mind can be very stressful. Managing that stress is an essential part of your recovery, especially for your heart. Allow yourself time to heal the pain and longing your mind, body and soul are experiencing. Be selfish, take the time you need to nurture yourself.

We are more than our physical bodies, treating yourself holistically is going to greatly improve your chances of healing, so you can move toward a successful, healthy pregnancy.

Seek counselingTry the Flower Essence Star of Bethlehem, it addresses the feelings of lossActively engage your body in healing therapiesJoin a miscarriage support group or forumJournal about your journeyAcknowledge your loss, take time to mourn, allow yourself space to process the experiencePrayConsciously thank your body for all that is does everydayBelieve in your body’s capacity to heal itselfGet body work done or do body work on yourself: Reiki, Maya Abdominal Massage or Self Fertility Massage™, or acupunctureMeditate or visualize a healthy pregnancy happening for you as your body is healing

Say daily positive affirmations Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Honor Your Miscarriage Through Ritual
Another aspect of recovery and healing through stress reduction and emotional release is to honor your miscarriage through ritual.

Step 4: Fertility Cleansing

Once your period comes back it is fine to begin a Fertility Cleanse. Fertility Cleansing creates a “clean slate” within the body. The specific herbs help to “reset” hormonal balance through liver supporting herbs and specific herbs for the female reproductive system. Fertility Cleansing focuses on liver health and uterine health. Cleansing specifically for fertility is very supportive and encouraging for fertility and the reproductive system. While there are many great cleanses out there, focusing on doing a cleanse specific for fertility is going to be the safest, gentle and most supportive while you are preparing for pregnancy.

If you are still taking herbs for recovery wellness, it is fine to continue them for up to six weeks. If you begin your period in that time, it is fine to continue on with the recovery wellness herbs while also beginning to fertility cleanse.

To learn all about the benefits of fertility cleansing, click here…

Step 5: Fertility Massage

Fertility Massage has many benefits for women recovering from miscarriage.

Promotes hormonal balanceHelps to bring fresh blood to the uterusHelps to reduce stress & stress hormonesIncreases circulation to the uterus & cervixImproves endocrine system communicationEncourages the liver to get rid of excess hormonesPromotes hormonal balance by strengthening the hormonal feedback loopHelps the body to rid itself of old stagnant blood and tissues

Massage may also assist healing from emotional trauma, helping a woman who has suffered a pregnancy loss and physical pain to her reproductive system. It does this by teaching you how to connect with your reproductive system once again. It is giving you a time to take part in your healing process. When doing your massage session, take time to pray, visualize, or bless that area of your body. Directly physically connecting to your fertility is very important when working toward healing. Listen to your body, it has wisdom beyond belief.

There are two options for massage when it comes to supporting the reproductive system. You can find a massage therapist who specializes in abdominal or fertility massage such as a Maya Abdominal Massage Therapist, or you can 

Self Fertility Massage at home is fine to begin once bleeding, including spotting, has stopped entirely. The time when this happens will be different for each woman. You do not have to wait until your menstrual cycle returns, just remember to not perform the massage during bleeding times.

References:
1. Romm, Aviva, M.D., Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, Churchill Livingstone, 2010
2. Mcdonald, J. (n.d.). Indications for commonly used herbs… Retrieved from http://www.herbcraft.org/commonherbs.html
3. Moore, Michael, Medicinal Plants of the Rocky Mountain West, Museum of New Mexico, 1979