“There is No Heartbeat” What’s Next and Options after a Diagnosis of Missed Miscarriage
“I am so sorry, but the baby has stopped developing.”
A “missed” or “silent” miscarriage is when the fetus has stopped developing, but the body hasn’t gotten the message to end the pregnancy yet. It can be devastating, and unfortunately, there are often decisions that the pregnant person will need to make.
In this episode, Dr. Lora Shahine talks about what a missed miscarriage is, what actions you may need to take if diagnosed with a missed miscarriage, and what the pros, cons, and risks are of the different options.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[0:00] What is a missed miscarriage?
What questions might you have for your doctor?
What are the symptoms that a missed miscarriage may be occuring?
Why is it sometimes referred to as an “abortion”?
[4:54] What are the medical options for proceeding after a diagnosis?
There are options to pursue, with pros and cons.
Will the body naturally miscarry the fetus? Is there a risk of infection?
What are the emotional impacts?
[10:22] Medical management of missed miscarriages
[13:22] Surgical management of missed miscarriages
Who might need surgical intervention?
What does it entail?
Diagnosing chromosomal imbalances
[20:22] Advocating for care
How to talk to your care team about interventions
Dr. Shahine’s book Not Broken: drlorashahine.com/books
Understanding it’s not the pregnant person’s fault and how to advocate for care
Resources for support and healing
Resources mentioned:
Dr. Shahine’s books: drlorashahine.com/books
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