Physical Recovery After Stillbirth

The physical recovery following a stillbirth can be more difficult and complicated than an early miscarriage. This only makes sense, as a woman's body continues to change and adapt throughout pregnancy. The further along you are when your pregnancy ends, the more changes your body has to recover.

Below, you will find a list of physical changes after a stillbirth, and some suggestions for how to manage them. You will also find other suggested reading about stillbirth, and recovering from a pregnancy loss.

Bleeding and Perineal Care

As with miscarriage and live birth, the lining of the uterus that had built up during your pregnancy must be shed. It's not unusual for women to pass clots, some of them quite large, after a stillbirth. A guideline to keep in mind is that clots should not be larger than a small plum. Anything larger could be a sign of a complication, like a small part of the placenta being retained in the uterus.

Bleeding will start heavy, and decrease slowly over time. The heaviest bleeding occurs on the first 2 to 3 days after delivery, and should gradually lighten. It may change from a dark red to a pink color, and even to a yellowish tint before tapering completely.

During this time, you should use sanitary pads, not tampons, to minimize risk of infection. You should also avoid taking baths for this same reason.

After a vaginal delivery with a full- or near-term stillbirth, you may have swelling and soreness on your vulva and perineum. You may also have small tears or stitches in the area. Using a small squirt bottle filled with warm water after urinating will soothe the delicate tissue and prevent any further irritation from rough toilet paper. For the first 24 hours after delivery, ice packs can also help with swelling and pain.