What is lochia after a natural miscarriage?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 25, 2025
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Vaginal bleeding is a symptom of natural miscarriage, and this is known as lochia. Lochia is the discharge from the vagina after childbirth, typically ceasing about a week postpartum. After a natural miscarriage, normal bleeding lochia generally has a bloody smell but does not have any other odorous scents. Following a natural miscarriage, it is important to monitor the expulsion of lochia, paying attention to its amount, color, and odor changes, as these factors can reflect the recovery of the uterus. Normally, the lochia will clear up around a week, and it should not last longer than two weeks at most. If lochia persists for an extended period after the miscarriage and is accompanied by abdominal discomfort, a hospital visit is necessary for a follow-up to check the condition of the uterus.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does a natural miscarriage require a uterine curettage?

A natural miscarriage refers to the spontaneous expulsion of the gestational sac from within the uterine cavity, in contrast to a miscarriage induced through medical intervention. A natural miscarriage is not the same as a complete miscarriage, which occurs when the gestational sac is completely expelled from the uterus without any remnants. Whether a natural miscarriage is complete is typically determined about a week after the event by a follow-up ultrasound. If the uterine cavity has no remnants or only minimal fluid accumulation, the miscarriage is considered complete, and usually, no surgical cleaning of the uterus is required. However, if the ultrasound after a natural miscarriage reveals substantial remnants within the uterine cavity, this indicates an incomplete miscarriage, and surgical cleaning of the uterus is generally necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long does it take for a miscarriage to expel the gestational sac?

Under normal circumstances, in the case of a natural miscarriage, the gestational sac is usually expelled within one week, and the decidua tissue is also expelled within one week. If there is still bleeding more than one week after a natural miscarriage, it is imperative to visit a hospital for related examinations, typically requiring an ultrasound to observe the miscarriage situation. If the miscarriage is complete, then there are generally no major issues. However, if the miscarriage is incomplete, a dilation and curettage procedure may be necessary. It is possible for an incomplete miscarriage to occur naturally. Therefore, if there is still bleeding after one week, further examinations are necessary. In cases of natural miscarriage, it is usually advised to wait at least six months before trying to conceive again, and relevant examinations must be conducted before attempting again to determine the causes of the natural miscarriage and to treat accordingly.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of a natural miscarriage?

During a natural miscarriage, the most typical clinical symptoms include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Based on the different symptoms of a natural miscarriage, women should undergo differential diagnosis. When a woman experiences abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, it may initially suggest a threatened miscarriage. If the abdominal pain worsens and vaginal bleeding increases, it could progress to an inevitable miscarriage. An inevitable miscarriage can further be classified into complete or incomplete miscarriage. In the case of a complete miscarriage, the abdominal pain generally subsides gradually, and the vaginal bleeding eventually stops. In contrast, during an incomplete miscarriage, the vaginal bleeding lasts longer, and the abdominal pain is prolonged. At this point, it is necessary to visit a hospital for an examination to check if there are any remnants in the uterine cavity and to receive further treatment.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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What not to eat after a miscarriage

After a natural miscarriage, some people may become very weak. In such cases, it is important to consume mild and easily digestible foods. Foods that should be avoided are those that promote blood circulation, such as jujube. Drinking brown sugar water is advisable as it can help contract the uterus. Miscarriage can cause minor physical trauma or damage, so during this period, avoid consuming too cold or too spicy foods. Eating such foods may exacerbate abdominal pain or lead to infections.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does a natural miscarriage require a uterine cleaning (D&C)?

When a miscarriage occurs, whether a uterine cleaning is needed depends on whether there are any remnants in the uterine cavity as shown by a follow-up ultrasound examination, that is, to see if the miscarriage was complete. If the examination reveals significant remnants in the uterine cavity after the miscarriage, then a uterine cleaning treatment is required. Most women do not need a uterine cleaning after a natural miscarriage, as typically the bleeding will stop around 7-10 days post-miscarriage. Therefore, women should focus on resting, improving their nutrition, and enhancing their body's resistance to prevent any potential complications after a natural miscarriage.