For some parents, a routine ultrasound brings devastating news: the baby has died, but the body has not yet recognized the loss. This experience, known as a missed miscarriage, often leaves families in shock, grief, and uncertainty. One option that may be offered is expectant management—allowing your body to naturally miscarry without medical or surgical intervention.
This blog post walks you through what to expect, how to prepare, holistic supports, and how to honor your baby’s life in a natural miscarriage.
What Is Expectant Management?
Expectant management means waiting for your body to recognize the loss and begin the miscarriage process on its own. This can be a viable and emotionally meaningful choice for many people, particularly when the pregnancy is 10 weeks or younger.
In many cases, the reason for miscarriage is genetic. If hormone levels such as progesterone are low, the body will typically recognize the loss and begin miscarrying more quickly. If not, the waiting period can last a few days to several weeks.
Expectant management is often allowed for up to four weeks, but women can wait even longer, as long as there are no signs of infection or medical complications.
Medical Management vs. Expectant Management
Doctors may suggest medical or surgical options if:
- You are further along in pregnancy
- You have risk factors (e.g., previous complications, infection)
- You prefer a faster resolution
Medical Management
- Misoprostol (Cytotec): Taken vaginally or orally to induce contractions and begin the miscarriage
- May cause cramping, bleeding, and side effects such as nausea or diarrhea
Surgical Management
- D&C (Dilation and Curettage): A procedure under general anesthesia to remove pregnancy tissue
- Risks include:
- Uterine perforation
- Infection
- Scar tissue (Asherman’s syndrome)
- Complications from anesthesia
What to Expect in a Natural Miscarriage
Timing
A natural miscarriage can occur within days or take several weeks. Most women begin bleeding and cramping 1–4 weeks after learning of their loss.
Physical Experience
The physical process varies widely—much like periods or labor experiences differ among women:
- Some experience mild to moderate cramping, like a heavy period
- Others have intense, labor-like contractions, especially if further along, as the cervix must open to release tissue
- You may pass:
- Blood clots
- The gestational sac
- A small fetus (often inside the sac)
- The placenta and umbilical cord, if further along
After the Baby Passes
- Bleeding typically decreases after the baby and larger tissue pass
- Light spotting may continue for days to weeks
- Cramping may continue as the uterus shrinks back to its usual size
Warning Signs (Seek Medical Attention If You Experience):
- Fever
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Severe or increasing abdominal pain
- Heavy bleeding: soaking a heavy pad in under 2 hours, multiple times
Preparing for a Natural Miscarriage at Home
It’s best to be over-prepared—emotionally, physically, and logistically.
Supplies to Have on Hand:
- Chux pads (absorbent pads used in birth and miscarriage)
- Pain relief: Rotate 3 Advil (600mg) with 2 Tylenol (500mg) every 3 hours if needed
- Pads (not tampons)
- Kitchen strainer or miscarriage kit to catch tissue if you wish to see or save your baby’s remains
- Jar with saline solution for preservation (if desired)
- Comfort tools: Heating pad, essential oils, calming music, birthing ball, positions like child’s pose or hands-and-knees
- Support person to stay with you if possible
Herbal and Holistic Support
Herbs to Support the Miscarriage Process
Note: Consult a qualified herbalist or naturopath before starting herbal protocols. The herbs can be taken as tinctures, teas, or capsules.
- Dong Quai: Supports uterine contractions, blood circulation, and easing tissue release
- Motherwort: Calms anxiety and improves uterine tone and cramping
- Blue Cohosh: Helps trigger uterine contractions; also used for “after pains”
- Black Cohosh: Enhances effectiveness of Blue Cohosh; supports emotional processing
- Evening Primrose Oil: Omega-6 fatty acid that supports prostaglandins and cervical ripening
- Castor Oil Packs: Help encourage complete emptying of the uterus
To Manage Heavy Bleeding
- Slow Flow by Vitanica: Herbal blend including yarrow and shepherd’s purse to slow excessive bleeding
- Advil: Reduces prostaglandins that can cause excessive bleeding and pain
Homeopathy for Natural Miscarriage
Take 3 pellets of 200C potency once a day during the process. These remedies can support the uterus, ease emotional distress, and help with retained tissue.
- Caulophyllum (Blue Cohosh): Stimulates rhythmic contractions, especially with a soft cervix
- Cimicifuga (Black Cohosh): Coordinates contractions and relieves emotional fear
- Sabina: Used during active miscarriage when bleeding is present and tissue remains
- Secale Cornutum: For persistent contractions and retained tissue (late-stage support)
- Arnica Montana: For trauma, soreness, bruising, and emotional shock
- Sepia: For feelings of emptiness, detachment, or hormonal depression
- Ignatia Amara: For sudden grief, sobbing, emotional suppression, or mood swings
- Pulsatilla: For tearfulness and desire for comfort and closeness
- Gelsemium: For emotional blocks preventing physical release (cervix won’t open)
Catching and Honoring Your Baby
Many families want to see or bury their baby’s remains. Depending on gestational age, you may see:
- The gestational sac
- The baby inside the amniotic sac
- The placenta and umbilical cord
Gently rinse the remains with water. Use a site like Lost Innocents for help with identification. If burial will be delayed, place them in a jar with a saline solution and refrigerate them.
Burial and Memorial Options
- Ask your provider or hospital for a release form to keep your baby’s remains
- Heaven’s Gain Ministries offers small caskets and memorial items
Even if you weren’t able to preserve your baby’s body, please know this: your child mattered. Their life has meaning. Your grief is valid.
After the Miscarriage: What Comes Next
Physical Recovery
- Ovulation can resume as early as 2 weeks after miscarriage
- Most women ovulate around 4 weeks post-loss
- Cycles may be irregular for a time
- Bleeding should taper off within 2 weeks; spotting may linger longer
Emotional Recovery
Grief after miscarriage is real and intense. You may feel:
- Empty
- Detached
- Numb
- Grief-stricken
- Overwhelmed
You are not alone. Your emotions are valid. Healing takes time.
Grief and Support Resources
- Heaven’s Gain – free counseling services for women and couples
- Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – Nationwide support network
- Books to Consider:
- My Sibling Still by Megan Lacourrege
- Nursery of Heaven
Final Thoughts
A miscarriage—whether expected or not—is a profound loss. Choosing expectant management gives many women the opportunity to experience this process in their own time, in a familiar setting, and with dignity.
Prepare as best you can, support your body and mind, and surround yourself with compassion. Whether your baby’s life lasted days or weeks, their presence changed yours. That love, that bond, is never lost.
You are not alone. You are not broken. And you are deeply loved.
About Dr. Jessica Whelan
Dr. Whelan is a highly regarded licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Medical Consultant. She is renowned for her expertise in treating women’s reproductive hormone disorders. Her practice specializes in lifestyle medicine, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Whelan specializes in comprehensive treatment of PCOS, endometriosis, PMS, perimenopause, and infertility.
She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree from the National University of Natural Medicine. She completed additional training as a Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Practitioner and NaPro Medical Consultant from the St Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE.
Dr. Whelan is the owner of Dr. Jessica Ann Whelan, ND, PLLC and St Joseph FertilityCare™ Center, an affiliate of the FertilityCare Centers of America.
