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Having A Miscarriage at Home Assisted With Herbs
Miscarriage is something that I wish no mother would have to go through. Unfortunately, though, miscarriage is a common experience that affects many women.
Sections:
What is a miscarriage?
A miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy ends before the 20th week of gestation. Although it's not often talked about, it's estimated that up to 25% of all pregnancies result in miscarriage.
What causes miscarriage?
There are several factors that can cause a miscarriage. One of the most common is chromosomal abnormalities, which occur when there are problems with the genetic material of the embryo. Other possible causes include hormonal imbalances, infections, and medical conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Here's some facts:
80% of miscarriages occur during the first trimester (weeks 0-13).
10-15% of women will experience a miscarriage when pregnancy is known.
The rate of miscarriage increases to 20-25% for women aged 35-45. It doubles to 50% for women over the age of 45.
Symptoms of Miscarriage
The symptoms of a miscarriage can vary depending on the stage of pregnancy. Some women experience bleeding or cramping, while others may have no symptoms at all. In some cases, the only sign of a miscarriage may be the absence of fetal movement or a heartbeat during an ultrasound.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing a miscarriage, it's important to seek medical attention right away. Your healthcare provider can perform an ultrasound or other tests to determine if a miscarriage has occurred and can provide support and guidance as you navigate this difficult experience.
Benefits of doing it at home with herbal support
Some might say that it is dangerous or even irresponsible to educate women about the option to have a miscarriage at home. To be clear, I disagree with this sediment because women have done just this for millennia. Home Births were the norm for centuries which also means dealing with a miscarriage, among elders, family or friends was also commonplace. This is the only option that many women may still have today. I also think it is important to educate women on all of their options, letting them decide what is best for them. I do not advocate for abortion, and the methods and herbal remedies that I am going to mention are not recommended for encouraging a miscarriage.
I recommend going to your obgyn to confirm before letting the process happen naturally. If you are a beginner herbalist, you might consider consulting with a skilled herbal practitioner.
Lastly, if at any point you feel unsure, uneasy or unwell, please seek help immediately.
Some miscarriages will not need intervention. If you are not experiencing pain, and the process is going smoothly, you may not need to do anything other than relax. However, if you experience intense pain, or the miscarriage is happening very slowly, with delayed bleeding for hours or days, herbs can be used to help the body along.
Herbal Remedies
1. Stagnant Miscarriage
If the blood is stagnant, there are a few categories of herbs that can help stimulate the flow of blood. Emmenagogues such as yarrow, and uterine stimulants such as mugwort can be especially useful. Mugwort is specifically used when women have had birth and have not passed the afterbirth. This can also ensure that everything related to the pregnancy is removed from the body. Arnica is another that is used for this, it may also be used but I caution the use as Arnica is a lower dose remedy that one should be familiar with first. Yarrow and Mugwort should be used in a tincture form for this purpose.
2. Pain
Pain can be addressed in several ways. It may help to use a tincture for pain relief, applying a hot pack or massage oil can also be applied to the body. I have a simple pain relief trio that I keep on hand at all times. It contains yarrow, white willow bark and chamomile. These herbs compounded specifically target the uterus, lower back, stomach and smooth muscles of the digestive tract.
For the massage oil, I'd consider doing a hot oil treatment. To do a hot oil treatment, apply the dropper bottle into a mug of boiling water. Allow it to sit for a 2-3 minutes before removing. Always sample the oil on the back of your hand before applying to your body. Herbs that one might consider include ginger, turmeric and cayenne. Caution: Be careful not to apply very hot oil to the skin. Wash your hands after applying this oil and keep your hands out of the eyes.
3. Mental Support
This is an emotional time. You have an excuse to relax and do nothing- so take it. I recommend taking a few days to a week off from vigorous activities that do not bring you joy. Spend time journaling, listening to music, catching up on your favorite shows, whatever it is that you might not normally have time for. Try to also show yourself love by doing a daily selfcare activity. It can be as simple as painting your nails or giving yourself a facial.
For mental support I'd do a nice infusion of herbs like oats (oatstraw and/or milky oat tops), and nervine like lavender or peppermint. Or simply enjoy a nice cup of your favorite herbs like hibiscus or rose.
4. Blood Building
A miscarriage is like a menstrual cycle, but you are also passing tissues, which takes more of a toll on the body. A miscarriage is also likely to be longer than your regular cycle. Make sure you are eating well, consuming adequate amounts of Iron, Vitamin C (to absorb non-heme iron) and other minerals to keep your body strong and healthy. It might also be a good idea to incorporate adaptogens into your body, to help you adapt to stress but also to strengthen your adrenals so that you don't feel fatigued.
5. Support
Please find support, whether it is in a plant friend in the garden, or friend who can spend time with you. I know it is hard, but you will get through this.
Remember, miscarriage is a common and natural part of the reproductive process. Many women go on to have healthy pregnancies after experiencing a miscarriage. It's important to take care of yourself during this time, both physically and emotionally, and to seek out support from loved ones or a healthcare professional if you need it.
(part of this blog was written using chatgpt)