Miscarriage Care

Key Takeaways

• A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss in the first and second trimester.
• Miscarriage is more common than many people realize.
• UChicago Medicine provides miscarriage care in 4 Chicagoland locations — no referral needed.
• We offer 3 options for miscarriage management: watchful waiting, medication or a procedure.
• If you have had 2 or more miscarriages, our specialists can do a full evaluation to look for underlying causes.

Experiencing a miscarriage may be one of the most difficult things a person can go through. You may be feeling grief, confusion or even guilt — and all of those feelings are normal.

At the University of Chicago Medicine, our goal is to provide the expert, compassionate care you need — and to support you emotionally as you begin to heal.

If you are experiencing possible symptoms of miscarriage, call your doctor immediately or visit the nearest emergency room. Getting timely care matters.

Our specialists see patients at 4 locations across Chicago and in the south suburbs:

• Hyde Park
• River East
• South Loop
• Harvey

No referral is needed.

To make an appointment:

• Schedule online
• Call us at 773-352-1744

What Is a Miscarriage?

• A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first and second trimester.
• Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester (the first 14 weeks of pregnancy).
• They are more common than many people realize, affecting about 1 in 5 known pregnancies.
• Many miscarriages are caused by chromosomal issues (problems with the genetic material) that happen randomly.
• Most miscarriages are not caused by anything the person did or did not do.

Signs of a Miscarriage

Signs of a possible miscarriage may include:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Cramping or pain in the lower belly or back
• Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina
• Pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or breast tenderness, that suddenly stop

If you have any of these symptoms in early pregnancy, call your doctor right away or visit the nearest emergency room.

Call your UChicago Medicine care team at 773-352-1744.

How We Treat a Miscarriage

There are 3 ways to manage a miscarriage. Your doctor will talk with you about which option is best for your health and your personal situation.

Expectant Management (Watchful Waiting)

• With this approach, you wait for the miscarriage to pass on its own at home.
• This works best when the miscarriage has already started and your health is stable.
• It can take up to a few weeks.

Medication Management

Your doctor prescribes medicine to help your body complete the miscarriage.

Procedural Management

• A procedure called uterine aspiration (also called suction curettage or a D&C — dilation and curettage) gently removes the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
• It can be done in the office or in the operating room and typically takes just a few minutes.
• Your doctor will talk with you about what to expect.

First Trimester Complications

Sometimes early pregnancy symptoms — like belly pain or vaginal bleeding — can be a sign of a miscarriage or another serious condition, such as an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that has implanted outside the uterus).

If you are in your first trimester and experiencing pain or bleeding, do not wait.

• If your symptoms are severe, call your doctor right away or visit the nearest emergency room.
• Call your UChicago Medicine care team at 773-352-1744.

If You Have Had More Than One Miscarriage

Having two or more miscarriages is called recurrent pregnancy loss. This is a common problem. As many as 1 in 20 people experience recurrent pregnancy loss.

At UChicago Medicine, we have a team of specialists dedicated to recurrent pregnancy loss. They offer a thorough evaluation to look for causes.

Research shows that even after 3 miscarriages, most people have about a 75% chance of having a healthy pregnancy. Our team will work with you to understand what is happening and create a plan.

Emotional Support After a Miscarriage

Grief after pregnancy loss is real, and you do not have to face it alone. Our team includes a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in reproductive health. They can help you process grief, manage anxiety and develop coping strategies at a pace that works for you.

Our behavioral health team can also support you with:

• Grief and loss
• Depression or anxiety
• Family or relationship challenges
• Sleep problems

Insurance and Payment

• Our services are covered by most insurance plans.
• We offer affordable self-pay rates.
• We partner with agencies to help connect patients with financial assistance.

Call 773-352-1744 to learn about payment options.