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Here for You With Support, Prayers and Resources

Miscarriage and infant loss can be so painful. Know that we’re here to help you through this difficult process. When you’re ready, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our bereavement support team.

Coping With Grief

The emotional impact of miscarriage or infant loss often takes longer to overcome than physical healing. You may experience a wide range of emotions including guilt, anger, sadness, loneliness and disbelief. Allow yourself to grieve; it’s a normal and natural part of healing for your mind and your body.

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Miscarriage and Infant Loss Webinar


This pre-recorded session features a compassionate expert panel including a licensed psychologist/perinatal health professional and our women’s health navigator.

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Physical Care for Mom

Experiencing this kind of loss can take a huge toll on your whole health. Communicate openly with your care provider about what you’re going through physically, mentally and emotionally, and prioritize your own care.

Your Body's Response to Miscarriage

It may take a month or more to recover physically from a miscarriage. Your recovery will depend on how far along you were into the pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding, similar to a menstrual period, may last up to a week after a miscarriage. Lower abdominal pain — similar to menstrual cramps — may last up to two days after the miscarriage.

Some women may also experience breast discomfort, breast engorgement or leaking milk during the first week. Hormonal changes also occur as a woman’s body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

There are several things you can do until your bleeding stops to help prevent infection. These include:

  • Use sanitary pads rather than tampons; wait until your next period before using tampons
  • Do not douche
  • Do not go into swimming pools or hot tubs
  • Do not have sexual intercourse
  • Take showers instead of baths

A follow-up exam with your health care provider is recommended four to six weeks after a miscarriage. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • A fever of 100 degrees or above
  • Bleeding that changes to bright red
  • Discharge that has a bad odor or looks infected (yellow or green)
  • Pain or unusual cramping
  • Vaginal bleeding that increases or continues over several weeks
Your Body's Response After Infant Loss
  • Abdominal Pain: You may have mild cramping for a few days after delivery. This usually gets better with over-the-counter pain medicine. If the pain is bad and/or you have a fever, call your doctor.
  • Activities: Go back to your usual activities little by little. If you find some activities are too difficult to complete, refrain from doing them until your strength returns.
  • Nutrition: Eat healthy foods you like, even if you are not hungry. Drink plenty of liquids.
  • Perineal Care: Keep the area clean. Rinse it with warm water from a plastic squeeze bottle every time you finish going to the bathroom. Avoid getting water into your vagina. You may shower, but do not take a bath or swim in a pool until your doctor clears you. Do not use a vaginal douche.
  • Sex and Related Activities: Do not put anything in the birth canal (no sexual intercourse, tampons, diaphragms) for four to six weeks or until your doctor clears you.
  • Temperature: Check your temperature for the first week, two times a day. If your temperature goes above 100.5 degrees two times in a row, call your doctor.
  • Vaginal Flow: You may have medium to heavy vaginal bleeding for the first few days after delivery. For the next few weeks, you may have light pink to brown discharge. If bleeding stays very heavy or if it has a bad odor, call your doctor.

Call your doctor right away if you have any concerns or experience:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Have bad leg pain (with or without swelling)

Infant Loss Bereavement Support Guide

Downloadable Resources

The resources below are free for you to access at any time.

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  • Couple holding hands close up

    Miscarriage Support Guide

    Having a miscarriage — at any stage of pregnancy — can be a very painful experience, but we’re here to help you heal. We hope this information will help you understand the physical and emotional changes that may occur.

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    Infant Loss Bereavement Support Guide

    If you’ve suffered the loss of a baby, our team and community partners are here to help you and your family heal during this unthinkable time. This guide is designed to clarify next steps and provide resources, including funeral home and grief support organizations.