Miscarriages are the ultimate bummer. On top of dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of losing a pregnancy, there's also the physical aspect to contend with. If you're lucky enough to have never experienced one yourself, chances are you know someone who has. But what exactly does a miscarriage feel like? And why do we as a society still tiptoe around discussing them? Let's get into it.
What is a Miscarriage?
Before we dive into how they feel, let's first break down exactly what happens when someone experiences a miscarriage. A miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion (fun!), is defined as "the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks." Essentially, it means that something went wrong with the developing fetus and the body naturally decides to terminate the pregnancy.
Symptoms and Signs
The symptoms and signs can vary from individual to individual but common ones include: - Vaginal bleeding - Cramping or abdominal pain - Loss of pregnancy symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness - Passing tissue or clots
All this sounds peachy keen doesn't it?
The Physical Experience
Now onto the main event – what actually goes down during a miscarriage?
The Waiting Game
After receiving confirmation from your doctor that you've unfortunately lost your pregnancy (emphasis on unfortunate), more often than not you will be sent home to wait for things to fully pass/complete.
For many people this process can take days. Remember earlier where I mentioned sporadic bleeding? Yeah expect that throughout these difficult waiting days along with cramps and other nice bodily expulsion feelings.
Blood Clots Everywhere
Remember those blood clots I mentioned earlier as among sign/symptoms of impending catastrophe :( Well after some time has passed these clot formations will increase in frequency and size.
Fun With Tissues
As your body goes through the natural process of expelling the fetus, tissues will become evident, leading to possible perceived "deliveries". Some people describe seeing things that resemble a fleshy mass or blood clots. According to some stories I've heard, it's quite an intense sight.
Emotional toll
The emotional impact of miscarriages on those who experience them cannot be overstated. Miscarriage may lead you into depression over time especially if there was no understanding or support from loved ones circling around at such times.
The pain caused by both physical and emotional experiences can take considerable time (months/years)to heal from even after trying next steps collectively with medical professionals.
How People Cope
Everyone handles loss differently but many have found solace in sharing their story with others who have experienced similar traumatic events. 1 in every 4 women has had one miscarriage or another & speaking up might just be that ice breaker for someone else.
There are also online communities where pledges can offer resources –click here[www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk] for more information. Counseling/support-groups could also aid recovery post-miscarriage along other potential avenues..
Conclusion
Miscarriages feel like nothing short of hell on earth..but unlike Dante's Inferno this is done by nature unwittingly rather than some demonic vision...Hopefully discussions surrounding these issue increase as society becomes less stigmatized about discussing reproductive concerns/challenges on a broader scale while offering viable solutions. Remember no matter what you're going through you are not alone!.