Going through a miscarriage is one of the hardest things you may ever experience. The loss of a pregnancy affects not only your heart but also your body, leaving you with so many overwhelming “what now?” moments.
While every person’s experience is different, understanding what causes miscarriage and how to care for yourself after — especially your uterus and pelvic floor — can help support your healing. With the right insight and care, you can feel a bit more grounded and regain a sense of control during a time when so much feels out of your hands.
What causes miscarriage?
A miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, is when you lose a pregnancy before 20 weeks.1
The most common cause of miscarriage is that the embryo doesn’t develop properly, often because of chromosomal abnormalities from the sperm or egg.2
Other health conditions and risk factors can sometimes increase the likelihood of miscarriage, including3:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Advanced maternal age (miscarriages are more common for women in their 40s)
- Blood clotting problems
- Uterine fibroids
- Certain infections (like food poisoning, toxoplasmosis, parvovirus)
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drug use, heavy alcohol intake, or excessive caffeine
It’s important to remember that what causes miscarriage is not caused by anything you did. Everyday activities like sex, exercise, stress, or birth control use do not lead to miscarriage.
While you can’t always prevent a miscarriage, focusing on healthy lifestyle habits — such as maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, and managing underlying health conditions — can help support a healthy pregnancy.
What happens after a miscarriage?
When you have a miscarriage, it can feel overwhelming — especially if you don’t exactly know what’s happening. The process can be different depending on how far along your pregnancy was and your individual circumstances, but here’s what you can generally expect.
Confirmation and assessment
Your healthcare provider may use an exam, ultrasound, or blood tests to confirm the miscarriage, make sure your uterus is empty, and check for complications.
Deciding how your body will recover
There are several ways your body can complete a miscarriage4:
- Expectant management: This is waiting for the miscarriage to happen naturally, which can take days to weeks. Your body will release what’s left in your uterus after your baby has passed, sometimes referred to clinically as pregnancy tissue. This is much like a heavy period.
- Medical management: You can also be prescribed medications to help your body complete a miscarriage. Medications can make the process faster and more predictable, which you may prefer.
- Surgical management: A D&C (dilation and curettage) or vacuum aspiration are surgical procedures that may be recommended for heavy bleeding, infection, or incomplete miscarriage.2
Follow-up care
A follow-up visit with your OB-GYN can make sure your uterus has healed and gives space to discuss future pregnancies or ongoing emotional needs.
Common symptoms
During and after miscarriage, you may notice:
- Vaginal bleeding and cramping
- Hormonal changes affecting mood, sleep, or energy
- Emotional waves: sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, or even relief
Recovery is different for everyone. Some people heal quickly, while others need more time. There is no “right” timeline — give yourself permission to heal at your own pace.
How to heal uterus after miscarriage
After pregnancy loss, your uterus and body deserve some gentle care. Here are some steps you can take to support physical and emotional recovery:
- Rest when you can. Your body has gone through a major shift — allow yourself to slow down.
- Nourish yourself. Focus on a balanced and nutritious diet. Eat foods rich in iron (like red meat, shellfish eggs, beans, and leafy greens), protein, and vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli) to rebuild strength, especially if you’ve had heavy bleeding. You may be low in iron because of blood loss.5
- Stay hydrated. Water supports hormonal balance and tissue healing.
- Avoid putting anything into your vagina for 1 to 2 weeks:2 That means no sex (solo or partnered), tampons, menstrual cups, or douching.
- Look for warning signs. Contact your doctor if you experience very heavy bleeding, fever, or severe pain.
Most people physically feel ready to return to normal activity within a few days.4 Emotional healing, however, often takes longer and may come in waves.
Caring for your pelvic floor after miscarriage
Your pelvic floor muscles may be the last thing on your mind, but even early pregnancy losses can affect them. Heavy bleeding, cramping, hormonal shifts, and changes in your uterus can place extra stress on the pelvic floor. Procedures like a D&C, emotional trauma, or the physical changes your body undergoes in early pregnancy may leave these muscles feeling weaker, tighter, or less coordinated, and can sometimes lead to pelvic pain, bladder or bowel changes, or discomfort during sex.
Gentle pelvic floor recovery tips
- Start with awareness: Notice your breath and gently connect with your pelvic floor muscles without pressure or strain.
- Wait for clearance: Avoid formal strengthening exercises until your bleeding has stopped and your healthcare provider gives the go-ahead.
- Move gently: Walking, stretching, and diaphragmatic breathing help restore balance and reduce tension in the pelvic floor. Yoga is a great option, which can complement pelvic floor recovery by combining mindful movement, breath, and meditation to ease tension, improve circulation, and reconnect you with your body.
- Consider pelvic floor training: A trauma-informed physical therapist can help release tension, address pain, restore function, and support both emotional and physical healing. Pelvic floor PT often works alongside psychotherapy to help your body and mind recover together. You can also start at-home pelvic floor exercises in the V-Hive if you prefer to start your healing journey at home.
Your pelvic floor deserves as much compassion as the rest of your body during recovery. Supporting it gently can reduce discomfort, restore strength, and help you feel more grounded as you heal from miscarriage.
Emotional healing and looking ahead
Healing after miscarriage is as much emotional as it is physical. Reaching out to a counselor, support group, or trusted loved ones can make a big difference.
It’s also natural to worry about recurrent miscarriage or whether you’ll have a healthy pregnancy in the future. Many women who experience early pregnancy losses go on to have successful pregnancies. If you’ve had two or more miscarriages in a row, your doctor may recommend testing to rule out underlying health conditions and guide next steps.
Frequently asked questions
What will my period after miscarriage be like?
Most people get their period again within 4 to 8 weeks after a miscarriage, though the exact timing can vary.
Your first few periods may look or feel a little different. Depending on how far along you were and the circumstances of your miscarriage, your flow might be lighter, heavier, or more painful than usual. For some, things return to normal right away. For others, it may take a few months for cycles to stabilize.6
If your period hasn’t returned by 8 weeks, reach out to your OB-GYN and let them know.
What causes miscarriage – can it be due to my pelvic floor?
No. While your pelvic floor muscles play an important role in sexual function and in supporting your pelvic organs — including your uterus during pregnancy — there’s no scientific evidence that what causes miscarriage is a weak pelvic floor.
In very rare cases, a total uterine prolapse during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.7 But this type of severe prolapse isn’t usually caused by weak pelvic floor muscles alone.
How soon can you get pregnant after a miscarriage?
Your body may be able to conceive again as soon as 2 weeks after a miscarriage.2 And research also shows that becoming pregnant within 6 months doesn’t increase the risk of complications in your next pregnancy.8
That said, it’s usually a good idea to wait until you feel physically and emotionally ready, and to check in with your OB-GYN about your personal situation.
Heal after miscarriage with the V-Hive
After a miscarriage, there’s no one “right” way to heal, and no set timeline. What matters most is giving yourself compassion, listening to your body, and seeking support when you need it. Many women who experience miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies, and the care you give yourself now supports both healing and your future health.
If you’re looking for a way to restore balance in your body and mind, consider joining our V-Hive’s Yoga Flow program. Designed to support the mind, body, and soul, these guided flows help you connect with your breath, build strength safely, and create space for emotional healing.
Start healing from the inside-out.
References
- Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). Miscarriages.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist. (2025). Early pregnancy loss.
- NHS Inform. (2025). Causes of miscarriage.
- Cohen, R. (2024). What happens after a miscarriage? An OB-GYN discusses the options. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist.
- MyHealthAlberta.ca. (2023). Miscarriage care instructions.
- NHS. (2025). Miscarriage: Afterwards.
- Atilgan A.E., et al., (2020). Pregnancy with preexisting total uterine prolapse. Clin Med Rev Case Rep.
- Kangatharan C., et al., (2017). Interpregnancy interval following miscarriage and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update.
