Overview

Vacuum aspiration uses gentle suction to empty the uterus after a miscarriage. Many miscarriages pass on their own, but some don't. With an incomplete miscarriage, some of the pregnancy tissue stays in the uterus. With a missed miscarriage, all of the tissue stays in the uterus.

You may have manual or electric vacuum aspiration. With manual vacuum, the doctor uses a specially designed syringe to apply suction. With electric vacuum, a thin tube is attached to a pump that provides suction.

After the procedure, you may have bleeding and spotting. These symptoms usually don't last more than a few days. You also may have cramps that feel like menstrual cramps. Cramping may last up to a few weeks.

It's common to have many different emotions after a miscarriage. It's also common to want to know why a miscarriage has happened. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make emotions stronger than usual. These feelings can last awhile.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Rest as much as you can. Getting enough rest will help you recover.
• Ask your doctor when you can return to normal activities and strenuous exercise. Most people can return to normal activities 1 to 2 days after the procedure.
• Be safe with medicines. Take medicines exactly as directed
• Use sanitary pads until you stop bleeding. Using pads makes it easier to monitor your bleeding.
• Do not rinse inside your vagina with fluid (douche). This could increase your risk of infections that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to have vaginal sex. You can get pregnant in the weeks after a vacuum aspiration. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about birth control options.
• If you need help coping with your feelings, consider meeting with a support group. You also may want to read about the experiences of others or talk to a friend, family member, or counsellor. If you feel sad, depressed, or anxious for longer than a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor or a counsellor.