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Experiencing a missed miscarriage (also known as a “missed abortion”) can be a confusing and emotionally challenging time. One moment, you're planning for your future baby, and the next, you're faced with an unexpected loss.
Dr. Caledonia Buckheit explains the definition of a missed miscarriage: “...where a pregnancy stops developing, but that the body doesn’t recognize it yet, so no bleeding or cramping.”.
It's natural to have questions about what's happening to your body during this difficult period. Many women wonder if their belly will continue to grow or if they'll still experience pregnancy symptoms. Let's dive into these concerns and shed some light on what you might expect.
Does your belly swell during a missed miscarriage?
When you have a missed miscarriage, your body does not show the usual signs of losing a pregnancy right away. Unlike a spontaneous abortion, which is what people typically think of when they hear miscarriage, where you experience bleeding and cramps and pass pregnancy tissue through the vagina, a missed miscarriage doesn’t come with those clear signs and symptoms.
As Dr. Buckheit explains, “Missed abortions usually happen in the first trimester. Many people will not have even had any change in the size of their midsection by the time this happens. The abdomen is unlikely to get appreciably bigger after a missed miscarriage has occurred. If it was a spontaneous abortion, the uterus immediately begins to shrink, so the belly would certainly not get any bigger after that. This is of course separate from bloating, which can be variable and might get better or worse with miscarriage depending on the person.”.
Does the uterus continue to grow with a missed miscarriage?
In a missed miscarriage, where the pregnancy has ended but hasn't been physically expelled, the uterus may continue to grow for a short time, depending on the gestational age when the miscarriage happened.
This happens because your body might still be producing pregnancy hormones, especially if the placenta remains attached (bearing in mind that the placenta isn’t considered part of pregnancy until 10+ weeks). However, this growth is usually minimal and will eventually stop as hormone levels decline.
Over time, however, the body will begin the process of reducing the uterine size. This adjustment period can vary from person to person, depending on factors like how far along the pregnancy was and how quickly the body recognizes the pregnancy loss.
It's crucial to follow up with your healthcare provider to ensure everything is progressing as it should.
How quickly does uterus shrink after a missed miscarriage?
After a miscarriage, your uterus doesn't immediately snap back to its pre-pregnancy size. It takes time for this organ to contract and return to normal. Generally, you can expect your uterus to shrink back to its usual size within about 4-6 weeks after a miscarriage has passed.
As Dr. Buckheit says, “The uterus will remain enlarged until the pregnancy tissue has evacuated, either spontaneously, medically or surgically.”.
But it’s important to remember that this timeline can vary from person to person. Some women might notice a faster reduction, while for others, it may take a bit longer. For those who have had a later-term missed miscarriage, it might take longer for the uterus to fully go back to its original size.
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Remember, your body has been through a lot, so be patient and kind to yourself during this healing process.
Does the sac still grow after a missed miscarriage?
In most cases, once a miscarriage occurs, the gestational sac stops growing. However, in a missed miscarriage, it's possible for the sac to continue growing slightly for a short period, even though the embryo has stopped developing.
This happens because the body hasn't yet recognized the loss and continues to support the pregnancy. It's important to note that this growth is usually minimal and will cease as your body begins to process the miscarriage.
On an ultrasound, it might appear that the gestational sac is a few days or even a few weeks ‘bigger’ than the fetus inside.
What happens to your body after a missed miscarriage?
After a missed miscarriage, your body goes through a series of changes as it adjusts to the end of the pregnancy.
According to Dr. Buckheit, “With time, most will eventually experience cramping and bleeding as the uterus contracts and expels the pregnancy tissue. However, in some cases intervention either with medication or a surgical procedure, will be needed to evacuate the uterus. You may also choose to take medication or have a procedure to speed up the process from the get go, this is something you can discuss with your healthcare provider.”.
If you experience heavy bleeding (bleeding through pads more than once an hour), repeatedly passing golf ball-sized (or larger) clots, fever, or intense cramping, it’s recommended to seek immediate medical care.
Hormone levels will gradually decline, which can lead to mood swings, fatigue, and changes in appetite. Some women may continue to feel pregnancy symptoms for a short time until their hormones level out. It's a process that takes time, and it's important to be patient with your body as it heals.
When will my stomach go back to normal after a miscarriage?
Most miscarriages happen in early pregnancy, often before you start to “show”. But depending on how far along you were, or how your body responded to the hormonal environment of pregnancy, you may have begun to notice changes around the midsection. In those cases, the timeline for your stomach to return to its pre-pregnancy appearance varies from person to person. For some women, it might happen within a few weeks, while for others, it could take a couple of months.
Remember, your body has been through something significant, and it's important to give it time to recover. Focus on nourishing your body with healthy foods and gentle exercise when you feel ready.
Can a miscarriage mess up your stomach?
A miscarriage itself won’t damage the stomach or digestive system, but it's not uncommon for women to experience digestive issues following a miscarriage. The hormonal fluctuations and physical (and emotional) stress on your body can lead to symptoms like nausea, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and changes in appetite.
Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated can help support overall health during the recovery period, but these tummy troubles are usually temporary and should resolve as your body heals. If you're concerned about persistent stomach issues, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.
Why am I gaining weight after a miscarriage?
Weight gain after a miscarriage can be frustrating, but it's not unusual. There are several reasons why this might happen. Hormonal changes can affect your metabolism and appetite.
Some women find comfort in food during this emotionally challenging time. You might also be less active while you're recovering physically and emotionally. Be gentle with yourself — your body is healing, and it's okay if it takes some time to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight.
Why do I still feel pregnant after a miscarriage?
It can be emotionally challenging to still feel pregnant after a miscarriage. This experience is more common than you might think. Your body may continue to produce pregnancy hormones for a short time after the miscarriage, leading to persistent symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, or fatigue.
These feelings usually subside as your hormone levels return to normal. If you're concerned about ongoing pregnancy symptoms, it's always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider.
Navigating the physical and emotional aftermath of a missed miscarriage, or any type of pregnancy loss, can be overwhelming. It's important to remember that there's no right or wrong way to feel or heal.
Your body and emotions may take time to adjust, and that's perfectly okay.
Be patient with yourself, seek support when you need it, and don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with any concerns.
Remember, you're not alone in this experience, and there is support available to help you through this challenging time.
Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced content writer and strategist, having written about a vast range of topics from chemical regulations to parenting, for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Tally Workspace, and Office Christmas. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.
