Why am I throwing up after having a miscarriage?

Dear Reader, 

Pregnancy loss can be difficult on its own and the nausea you’re experiencing only makes it worse. Although nausea and vomiting can occur as a result of miscarriage, it’s more strongly associated with pregnancy, with around 50 to 90 percent of pregnant people experiencing these symptoms. Generally, people experiencing miscarriages show a decrease in pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea, over time so it’s possible that the miscarriage isn’t the culprit. Since your symptoms seem to be continuing, it might be a good idea to speak with a health care provider to rule out any other causes, receive a clinical diagnosis, and discuss treatment and recovery. 

Miscarriage is another term for pregnancy loss that occurs early on, usually in the first trimester or before 20 weeks of gestation. They are relatively common, with about 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies ending in miscarriage. Common signs that you may be having a miscarriage are: 

• Brown discharge, which might look like coffee grounds 
• Spotting, bright red blood, clots 
• Tissue released through the vagina 
• Clear or pink vaginal fluid 
• Abdominal pain, cramping 
• Pregnancy symptoms start to go away 
• Dizziness, lightheadedness 

List adapted from UC Davis Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

In many cases, miscarriage can be managed without extra treatment as it will complete on its own. Some providers may recommend that a person’s pregnancy tissue is released from the body naturally. Depending on the situation, other options like medication or surgical procedures to remove tissue from the uterus might be needed. Side effects of these options can include nausea, cramping, bleeding, and pain. 

It’s also important to note that symptoms of miscarriage can overlap with other conditions. For example, many of the symptoms of a miscarriage are like those of an ectopic pregnancy—when the fertilized egg implants into a Fallopian tube, rather than the uterus. Those who have experienced an ectopic pregnancy are advised to seek immediate medical attention, as they may be at risk for internal bleeding. 

Another potential reason you may be feeling nauseous is that the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is still declining in your body after miscarrying. Every situation is unique, but after a pregnancy has resolved, the levels of hCG usually decrease significantly (66 to 87 percent) after one week. It’s possible your body may still be acting as though it's pregnant and continuing to induce morning sickness. 

After a miscarriage, people can participate in non-strenuous daily activities if they feel able to do so. However, before starting more physically exerting activities, you may want to check with a health care provider to ensure your body has had time to adequately recover. Those who wish to have sex may be most comfortable doing so after one week. Those who are trying to become pregnant again don’t need to delay unless they’ve experienced two or more miscarriages in a row which may be a sign of an underlying cause affecting fertility. 

Each person’s experience with pregnancy and loss is unique and can require different resources. Finding support groups in your area so you can interact with others who may share your experience can be one option you may choose to explore. These groups can offer a safe place to be supported through the process as well as an opportunity to learn about what other people are feeling and how they’re managing their symptoms. You may also choose to meet with a mental health professional who specializes in pregnancy and loss for more individual help. If your nausea continues for longer than two weeks, it may be best to visit with a health care provider to learn more about what’s going on and determine what steps can be taken to help you feel better physically. 

Take care,