Understanding a Missed Miscarriage: A Doula’s Guide to Recovery

Understanding a Missed Miscarriage: What It Means for You?

Dear Mama,

I’m deeply sorry that you’re experiencing this. A missed miscarriage can be a difficult diagnosis to come to terms with. It happens when the pregnancy ends but the body doesn’t recognize the loss right away. The pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, but you may not experience any signs of miscarriage like bleeding or cramping right away.

What Is a Missed Miscarriage?

A missed miscarriage is when the fetus has stopped developing, but the body hasn’t yet expelled it. Often, there are no immediate signs — no cramping or bleeding — and the pregnancy symptoms may fade.

It’s common to only find out through an ultrasound, and when this happens, it’s a shock to many women. You might feel numb, sad, or even confused.

How Is It Diagnosed?

A missed miscarriage is diagnosed through:

• An ultrasound, where the fetal heartbeat will no longer be detectable
• A lack of pregnancy symptoms (like morning sickness or breast tenderness)
• Bloodwork showing decreasing levels of pregnancy hormones

Once diagnosed, you may be given options for how to complete the miscarriage, which can include waiting for the body to naturally expel the tissue, using medication, or having a D&C (dilation and curettage).

How to Care for Yourself

Dealing with a missed miscarriage can be especially painful emotionally. Here’s how to care for yourself:

• Take time to rest and process the emotions you’re feeling.
• Don’t rush the grieving process; allow yourself to cry, feel sadness, or even numbness.
• You may need physical recovery, including monitoring for any complications.
• Be gentle with your heart — talk to someone who will listen and support you, whether it’s a doula, a therapist, or a close friend.