Personal stories about miscarriage treatment

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Claire, age 26: When I learned that I was having a miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I knew right away that I needed to get through the physical process of the miscarriage as quickly as possible. This way, I could begin to emotionally cope with my loss, rather than suffering through the extra days of waiting for the miscarriage to end. I asked my doctor to do a D&C right away.

Lucero, age 38: I actually didn't have a choice about having a D&C when I miscarried because I was bleeding so heavily. I think that I would have chosen to let my body miscarry on its own, but my nurse-midwife said that this was an urgent situation. I'm just grateful that I came through it as well as I did.

Dao, age 28: It was late in my first trimester when my doctor told me that I had started a miscarriage, probably a couple of weeks before. She said that this is called an "incomplete miscarriage," and that I had some choices. I could wait a little longer for bleeding to start, I could have a D&C, or I could take a medication that would make the miscarriage progress. Either way, I'd have to have an Rh immune globulin injection, because my blood is Rh-negative. I can't stand the idea of surgery, and I felt I had to do something, so I chose the medication. While I was taking it, I felt miserable. I had stomach pain and nausea. My husband had to take care of me for a few days. The treatment worked, and after I bled for a couple of weeks, the miscarriage was done. I also saw a counselor a few times. She really helped me out with recovering emotionally from my miscarriage.

Jennifer, age 36: My doctor is experienced with using medication to treat miscarriage, and, as a nurse, I'm familiar with the drugs used. So I felt comfortable with choosing this kind of treatment for ending a miscarriage.

Renna, age 30: When I began to bleed during my 10th week, I went in to see my obstetrician. She examined me and told me that I might be miscarrying, but we'd have to wait to see for sure. That was a terrible time. A couple of days later, it was clear that I was miscarrying, because I was passing some tissue. My doctor told me that I could have a D&C or let the miscarriage happen on its own. I decided that the natural course of things was best for me. After a couple of weeks, the bleeding tapered off. It took me a while before I was ready to try to get pregnant again, and I met with a counselor to help me get through those first few months. I think it helped me, though, to have gone through the slower process of physically and emotionally losing the pregnancy.

Anna, age 35: When my doctor told me that I was miscarrying, I told him that I really didn't want a D&C. He agreed, saying that he prefers a "watch and wait" approach with a miscarriage. He said that he hardly ever uses surgery or medication to treat a miscarriage anymore-only if it's requested or if there are complications. I did have to have an Rh immune globulin injection because I'm Rh-negative and the fetus could have been Rh-positive. Well, unfortunately, a day later, I started to bleed heavily. I went right in to get checked, and my doctor said that I was going to lose too much blood if he didn't do a D&C. After the D&C, I had light bleeding for a week or so, which apparently is normal.