One month later, and my body is finally getting back online. A few days after the bad news, I started bleeding. I have been bleeding for over 3 weeks. The emotional burden was difficult, but the physical burden is just as bad, if not worse. Luckily, my body seems to be taking care of itself naturally. If not, I would have had to undergo a D&C (the cervix is dilated via drugs and the uterline lining is scraped clean). This is a common procedure, but seems a bit intense to me. I feel much better about the idea of a "natural miscarriage"- allowing nature to mend its own error. Compared to a D&C, the length of a natural miscarriage tends to take longer. (Thus the 3+ weeks of bleeding I've experienced.) However, it takes quite a while for the uterine lining to build back up after a D&C. Hopefully the bleeding will end soon and I will be able to avoid a D&C. I am really looking forward to getting all of this behind us, but I know that must be patient and let my body heal first.

My physician stressed that we should wait a good 3 months before trying to conceive again. I need to make sure that my body "realigns" itself. In other words, it is recommended that I wait for 3 period cycles to pass. This ensures that the uterine lining is restored to a reasonable state for pregnancy. Then, it's off to the races! Until then, we get to pretend we're a premarital couple avoiding pregnancy like the plague. Sexy.

One thing that has amazed me about all of this is the large number of women who have had miscarriages. Many of my friends, co-workers, and family members have had, or have been affected by a loved one who has experienced a miscarriage. Women just don't talk about this. It's a secret pain kept hidden away in those dusty corners of our memories. Yet, it's so common. New pregnant women need to know these statistics and mentally prepare themselves for the possibility of a failed pregnancy. Up until my own miscarriage, people acted as if there was no way anything could go wrong. Then when it happened, I realized that statistically, successfully carrying a baby to full term is not so certain. In fact, one out of every 10 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and one in every four women will have one at some point in her reproductive years. According to this, 25% of women who become pregnant have a miscarriage. Shocking. Ladies, step up and share your burden- if not for yourself, then for all of the new trying-to-be-moms out there.

I have been so thankful for all of the support that the people in my life have offered me. All of the hugs, bits of helpful advice, and shoulders to lean on have pulled me through! Our friends (blog!) and family members have sent us gorgeous bouquets of flowers. Most important, people have just been there. I wish the same for anyone else going through a similar experience.
- posted by Ma @ 11:03 AM