This should be the first question you ask yourself if you think you are actively having a miscarriage. While it is always best to receive treatment for a miscarriage as soon as possible, the level of urgency can vary. For ease of answering the following questions, we have created three main categories.
According to the University of Iowa Healthcare, these are some signs you should go to the ER:
Soaking 1 maxi pad in 1 hour for 2 to 3 hours
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Pass large blood clots (e.g., larger than a lemon or egg) for an extended period
You can find information on Navigating the ER on this website.
*If you are not experiencing these symptoms but still feel that you are having a medical emergency, you can still go to the ER
If you have an infection, you urgently need care. Some signs and symptoms of an infection during miscarriage include:
a temperature above 100.4 °Fahrenheit
Bad-smelling vaginal blood or discharge
Regardless of urgency level, call your established care team. Miscarriage can be a long process, and even if you end up going to the ER, you may still need follow-up attention from your primary healthcare providers.
If you need care urgently (possible infection) and your care team is not available quickly enough, you may be advised to go to the ER.
What you do next depends on your level of urgency
You will likely need surgical management for your miscarriage. You should find an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) that takes walk-in appointments for surgical management, or go to the ER.
For more information on finding an appropriate ASC, go to outpatient options
You can read more about what to expect from your trip to the ER at Navigating the ER
Consider what type of miscarriage management would work best for you. Visit the treatment options page to learn more.
If you have answered the first two questions and are still unsure where to go, it is time to consider where you can receive the treatment option that works best for you.
Most ERs can perform all three miscarriage treatments and are open 24/7. However, studies have shown that the ER generally provides less sensitive and efficient care than other outpatient options. Therefore, in many situations, it is best to seek help at an outpatient clinic. However, we also acknowledge that sometimes the ER is the only option, especially in rural areas and states where reproductive healthcare clinics are under attack from anti-abortion policymakers.
To find out which outpatient option best fits your needs, go to the outpatient options page.
You can read more about what to expect from your trip to the ER at Navigating the ER.