How to Confirm a Miscarriage at Home Safely – Early Signs & Symptoms

What is a Miscarriage?

Miscarriage refers to the loss of a foetus before it completes 20 weeks of gestation. Unfortunately, miscarriages are way more common than one would think. From the statistics of reported miscarriages, we know that approximately 1 out of 5 (26%) pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. But the actual number would probably be higher than this simply because a lot of times women miscarry the foetus even before they realise they were pregnant, and hence those miscarriages are not even reported.

It is important to understand that the term ”miscarriages” may be a misnomer, as it might be suggestive that somehow women might play a role in “miscarrying” the foetus. Medically, miscarriages mostly occur when the foetus stops growing, the number one reason being chromosomal abnormalities, among others. They are often nature’s way of ending a pregnancy that wasn’t developing normally. In most cases, it happens due to genetic or medical factors beyond anyone’s control.

Early Signs of Miscarriage

Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester. It is therefore essential to keep an eye on any unusual symptoms. Here are some early warning signs that might signal the beginning of a miscarriage.

• Vaginal bleeding: Ranges from spotting to heavy flow with clots. Note that some form of spotting or bleeding may be common in the first trimester and doesn't necessarily mean a miscarriage.
• Severe abdominal cramps or back pain: This may feel like menstrual cramps.
• Passing tissue or fluid from the vagina: if you are passing clots, you need to seek immediate medical attention, as this is a major sign of a pregnancy loss. If you are passing tissue, you may store it in a clean container, which can be examined in a lab to check for a miscarriage.
• Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or breast tenderness.
• Increased heartbeat

The above symptoms won't always necessarily mean that you are miscarrying, but it is still vital to stay alert and seek medical guidance. Even if you feel it’s probably nothing, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. It’s always better to get checked early and be safe rather than ignore signs that might need attention.

What Not to Do at Home?

While it is important to keep an eye out for worsening symptoms, safety should always come first. This means that there are a few things that women must avoid doing at home while they are observing their symptoms and waiting for medical care. Some actions can make things worse or delay proper care, so it’s important to know what to avoid:

• Do not self-medicate : Sometimes our personal situation can cause us to self-medicate. Be it fear, embarrassment, or a social situation, always choose safety and never self-medicate. No matter what your personal situation is, do not take any medication or abortion pills without medical supervision. Self-medicating can worsen the bleeding or even cause infection.
• Never ignore symptoms that start to worsen : Symptoms like heavy bleeding, fever, sharp pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, etc, can all be worrying. Any escalating symptoms need immediate attention. Waiting can be dangerous for your health and can cause lasting complications.
• Do not look for home remedies : Never rely on internet remedies or home treatments, as every situation is different and needs professional assessment. Do not listen to any old wives' tales; seek appropriate medical care.
• Don’t delay seeking help out of fear or embarrassment : Early consultation often prevents serious complications and ensures safer recovery.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Help?

When pregnant, it is important to know when not to wait and rush to seek emergency medical help. This is especially important when you may be looking to confirm a miscarriage at home safely:

• If you start to soak more than two pads every hour, start passing large clots, or start passing a foul-smelling discharge, rush to the hospital immediately.
• Seek urgent medical care if your abdominal pain worsens and is not even relieved by medication or resting.
• Also, if you start feeling faint, dizzy, or weak or experience high fever and chills, do not wait up.
• If you experience persistent nausea or vomiting that prevents you from staying hydrated, consult your physician.
• Never ignore a rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath, as it could signal internal bleeding or shock.

It is always better to be safe than sorry. Advocate for your health. Being hopeful is good, but staying cautious is always better.

Does a Miscarriage Affect Future Fertility?

Once a woman experiences a miscarriage, their most common concern is, Does miscarriage affect fertility? A lot of women start to worry after a miscarriage, wondering if it might affect their chances of having a baby later. In most cases, it doesn’t. The body usually heals well, and once your cycle becomes regular again, you can get pregnant after a miscarriage without any major problems. Doctors often advise waiting for one or two periods before trying again, just to let your body rest and recover.

However, if you experience recurrent miscarriages, infections, or other complications, your doctor may want to do some tests to find out why. It still doesn't mean that your fertility is affected, but getting an early diagnosis will be key to future, healthier pregnancies.

Miscarriages affect a woman's mental and physical health in serious ways. It is normal to worry about the future, but know that medical professionals are there to help you get through this. In most situations, you can get pregnant after a miscarriage and go on to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.

Conclusion

Being pregnant and then experiencing symptoms of a miscarriage may be physically taxing and mentally exhausting. If you know how to confirm a miscarriage at home with signs, only a healthcare professional can confirm it with proper tests or scans. Also, if you experience a miscarriage, give yourself time to heal both physically and emotionally.

Don’t hesitate to lean on your doctor, family, or a trusted counsellor for support. Know that this isn't the end of your fertility journey, and with the right recovery and support, you should be ready to try again in the future.