How long does it take for the placenta to come out after a natural miscarriage?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on March 24, 2025
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During a natural miscarriage, the timing of the placenta's expulsion is not fixed. In some cases, the fetus and placenta may be expelled together soon after abdominal pain begins, while in others, the expulsion may occur slightly later. After the fetus is expelled, it may be minutes or hours before the placenta is expelled. It is recommended to visit a hospital for an ultrasound examination after a natural miscarriage to check if the uterine cavity is clean and free of any residual tissue. After a natural miscarriage, it is important to take care of oneself. Resting, avoiding overexertion, keeping warm, and not getting chilled are crucial. Strengthening nutrition is also important; consuming foods rich in vitamins and protein can help replenish energy, enhance physical condition, and promote recovery.

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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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Natural miscarriage impact on the body

If a woman experiences a natural miscarriage, it can have adverse effects on her body. If attention is not paid to local cleanliness and hygiene during uterine bleeding, and the body's resistance is lowered, it can easily lead to some gynecological infections. If the inflammation is not treated in time, it can affect future normal pregnancies. Furthermore, if care is not enhanced after surgery, and rest is not adequately observed, it will impact the uterus's normal contraction and recovery, leading to continuous vaginal bleeding, which can also affect future pregnancies. Additionally, it can also have some adverse psychological effects on the pregnant woman.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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How long does it take for the bleeding from a natural miscarriage to stop?

If it is a natural miscarriage, and the embryo is expelled completely, there is generally bleeding for about three days, accompanied by a small amount of bleeding or a small amount of brown discharge. If the bleeding lasts for a long time, about three days, and the amount of bleeding is significant, it is considered possible that there might be remnants or that the uterus is not contracting properly. In such cases, it is first necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination. An ultrasound can determine the issue of remnants and how much is left. If the ultrasound shows remnants greater than 1.0 cm, surgical cleaning of the uterus is required; if less than 1.0 cm, it can be treated with medication. Then, another ultrasound will be needed to check the recovery of the uterus.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Does a natural miscarriage count as an abortion?

Is miscarriage considered the same as abortion? These are not the same concepts, but they share similarities. Miscarriage is due to factors related to the mother or fetus, leading to the natural loss of the embryo, whereas abortion involves artificially inducing the removal of the embryo from the womb. Although miscarriages might also result in some postpartum complications, abortions tend to have more complications due to the artificial means involved. These artificial ways include surgical abortion procedures, during which there might be risks of infection and damage to the uterine lining.

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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.