Facing Miscarriage at Home: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Deciding how to manage a miscarriage is an incredibly personal choice, and if you’ve chosen to take medication to induce the miscarriage at home, it’s important to know what to expect and how to prepare.

Medication, usually misoprostol, is prescribed to help your body pass the pregnancy tissue. This option allows the process to happen in the privacy and comfort of your own home, with the support of your healthcare team from a distance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through this difficult time - Facing Miscarriage at Home: What to Expect and How to Prepare.

1. How the Medication Works

• Misoprostol is taken to help your body expel the pregnancy tissue by triggering uterine contractions, which will cause cramping and bleeding.

  
  

• Administration: The misoprostol tablets are typically taken orally while in a healthcare setting, such as an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) or Gynaecology Ward. The tablets are placed under your tongue to dissolve, which usually takes around 20 minutes.

  
  

• From my own experience, trying to keep your mouth as saliva-free as possible during this time can help minimise the unpleasant chalky taste of the tablets.

  
  

2. Timing of Symptoms

Once you take the misoprostol tablets, typically within 1-2 hours, you will experience cramping and bleeding as your body begins to pass the pregnancy tissue.

• Cramping can range from mild to severe and is often more intense than period cramps.

  
  

• Bleeding is usually heavy and includes passing clots and tissue. This phase can last between 4-6 hours, though for some women, it may take up to 24-48 hours to fully pass the pregnancy.

  
  

• Another Dose may be required if the pregnancy has not passed. This can be administered again after 48 hours. 

  
  

3. What You’ll Need

Since miscarrying at home can be both emotionally and physically challenging, it’s important to be prepared:

• A Miscarriage Collection Device: If you wish to collect your baby for testing, burial, or cremation, having the right tools is important. Our miscarriage care kits include a collection device that provides a dignified and respectful way to do this.

  
  

• Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen and paracetamol, can help manage the cramps.

  
  

• Sanitary pads: You’ll need heavy-duty pads for the bleeding, as it will be heavier than your normal period.

  
  

• Comfort items: A heating pad, a supportive partner or friend, and easy access to snacks and water can help you through the more difficult moments.

  
  
  
  
  
  

4. The Emotional Impact

Miscarriage is a profound loss, and even though you’re managing it physically at home, it can take a heavy emotional toll. Allow yourself time to grieve, and don’t hesitate to reach out for emotional support. Whether it’s a close friend, family member, or professional counsellor, having someone to talk to can make a huge difference. Miscarrying is a deeply personal experience. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come, and give yourself the space to grieve in your own way.

5. Follow-Up Care

After the miscarriage, it’s crucial to have a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider. They’ll check to make sure that all the pregnancy tissue has been passed and that your body is healing properly. 

6. When to Seek Help

While the medication process is usually safe, there are times when you should contact your doctor or seek medical attention. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider:

• Very heavy bleeding

• Severe pain 

• Fever or chills

• Incomplete Miscarriage

• Trust your body If something doesn’t feel quite right, don’t hesitate to seek help. You know your body best.

  
  

Moving Forward with Dignity and Compassion

Miscarrying at home with medication allows for privacy and control, but it can also feel overwhelming. That’s why having the right tools and support in place is so important. Our Miscarriage Care Kits are designed to help you manage this difficult process with the care, dignity, and respect every woman deserves. Each kit includes essential items to help you navigate this challenging time, from a Miscarriage Collection Device to emotional support resources.

If you’re going through a miscarriage, please know that you are not alone. There are options available to help you feel safe and supported, even in the most difficult moments.

Shop Now

Two Teddy Bears Holding Hands