Understanding miscarriage: a guide to your options and healing

3 Nov, 2025 | Abortion, Advice, Blog

As families prepare to gather for Christmas, there’s a hidden crisis intensifying behind closed doors: reproductive violence, where someone uses coercion, manipulation, pressure or control to dictate another person’s reproductive choices, is affecting thousands of women and pregnant people across our region.

1 in 3 women globally will experience reproductive coercion in their lifetime, including sabotage of contraception, forced pregnancy, prevention or pressure related to abortion care, and financial or emotional threats linked to reproductive decisions.^[1]

In Australia, around 1 in 5 women accessing abortion services report some form of coercion or control from a partner, and frontline counsellors say cases are becoming more complex, particularly during holiday periods when isolation and family pressure escalate.^[2]

“Reproductive violence remains largely invisible, but it is happening right now, in homes, relationships, and families across Australia and the world,” said Grishma Bista, CEO, MSI Asia Pacific.

“No one should face abuse, pressure, or control over their reproductive choices. Access to safe, confidential care is essential, especially at a time of year when family dynamics can amplify risk.”

Holiday season increases risk

The end of the year is a peak period for relationship stress, financial pressure, travel, family expectation and isolation from support networks, all factors that increase risk of reproductive violence and reduce access to help.

MSI Australia’s psychosocial team reports a surge in women disclosing lack of control, fear, or pressure from partners in the lead up to Christmas, particularly around continuing or ending a pregnancy.

“We regularly support clients who are frightened, confused, or unsure if what they are experiencing is abuse,” said Alison Fonseca, Psychosocial Health Manager at MSI Australia.

“Reproductive violence can look like sabotaging contraception, hiding medication, pressuring someone to continue or terminate a pregnancy, or threatening to withdraw financial support. It is gendered violence, and it has devastating consequences.”

Regional impact demands regional action

Across the world, reproductive coercion is deeply connected to gender inequality, stigma, economic dependence, and access to health services. In many countries, there are no legal safeguards, limited counselling services, and severe stigma around reproductive healthcare.

“At MSI, we see resilience every day, people finding the courage to seek help, make their own decisions, and protect their future,” Ms Bista said.

“But access to safe pathways must be funded, protected and strengthened.”

Campaign launching: Help us support safety, choice and care

This Christmas, MSI is launching a donation campaign to support people experiencing reproductive violence, here and overseas.

Funds raised will:

Provide emergency psychosocial support including counselling
Cover the cost of abortion or contraception care for people facing coercion
Support local services in countries where reproductive violence is rarely acknowledged

Every donation, large or small, helps someone make a decision free from control, fear and pressure.

“No one should be forced into or out of a pregnancy,” Ms Fonseca said.

“With community support, we can make sure reproductive choices belong to the person, not their partner, not their family, and not their circumstances.”

Key facts

1 in 5 Australian women seeking abortion report pressure or coercion related to pregnancy decisions
Only 12 out of 43 Asia Pacific countries have legislation enshrining the right to choose the number, timing, and spacing of children ^[3]
Reproductive violence is one of the least recognised forms of gender-based violence, despite being reported in clinical and counselling settings worldwide ^[4]
Family violence is consistently one of the high-recorded months for family violence incidents ^[5]

[1] World Health Organisation. (2021)

[2] MSI Australia. (2020). Hidden Forces: Shining a light on reproductive coercion white paper

[3] IPPF. (2023). Asia Pacific Contraception Policy Atlas.

[4] Tarzia & McKenzie. (2024). Reproductive coercion and abuse in intimate relationships: Women’s perceptions of perpetrator motivations

[5] Crime Statistics Agency. (2025). Family Incidents

Ends

For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

Pain & Recovery Time for Surgical Abortion vs Medical Abortion

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy. Experiencing miscarriage can bring a wide range of emotions grief, sadness, confusion, or sometimes even relief and every response is valid. Whether your pregnancy was planned or unexpected, this guide explains what miscarriage means, outlines the medical and emotional options, and offers practical steps for looking after your health and well-being during this time.

Quick links

What is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage happens when a pregnancy stops growing on its own. There are different ways this can happen:

Complete miscarriage: The pregnancy tissue passes naturally, and no further treatment is needed.
Incomplete miscarriage: Some tissue has passed, but some remains inside the uterus.
Missed miscarriage: The pregnancy has stopped growing, but hasn’t passed and remains in the uterus.
Threatened miscarriage: There’s bleeding, but the pregnancy is still developing (and may continue normally).

How common is miscarriage?

Miscarriage is far more common than many people realise – up to 1 in 5 confirmed pregnancies end this way, most often in the first 12 weeks. Some happen so early that the person may not even know they were pregnant.

Why does it happen?

Most miscarriages occur because of chromosomal abnormalities, meaning the pregnancy wasn’t developing as it should. It’s nature’s way of ending a pregnancy that couldn’t continue healthily.

While miscarriage can feel like a personal loss, it’s important to know:

💙 It’s not your fault – you didn’t cause this.
💙 It doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy in the future.
💙 Age, smoking, and certain health conditions can increase the risk, but often, there’s no clear cause.

How is miscarriage diagnosed?

You might notice:

Cramping or abdominal pain
Vaginal bleeding
Loss of pregnancy symptoms (like nausea or breast tenderness)

But sometimes, there are no obvious signs – which is why an ultrasound or blood test is often needed to confirm what’s happening.

Your treatment options

If the pregnancy has stopped growing, you have three choices:

1. Letting it happen naturally (Expectant Management)

Pros: No medication or surgery.
Cons: Can take days or weeks; may need follow-up

2. Medication to help pass the tissue (Medical Management)

Pros: More predictable timing.
Cons: Can cause strong cramps and bleeding

3. A minor procedure to remove the tissue (Surgical Management)

Pros: Quick, effective, and often done under sedation.
Cons: Small surgical risks.

Caring for yourself after miscarriage

Emotionally

Your feelings matter. Grief, sadness, anger, even relief are all normal.
Talk to someone. A counsellor, GP, or support group can help. We’re here to help too, call 1300 003 707.

Physically

Light bleeding may continue for 1–2 weeks.
Contact your doctor is bleeding is very heavy (soaking a pad every hour) and/or you have severe pain or fever.

Future Pregnancies

If you want to try again: Many doctors suggest waiting until after your next period.
If you don’t: Reliable contraception is important, you can get pregnant again before your next period.

If an ultrasound is needed, we will help you arrange one as conveniently as possible. Your safety is our top concern.

You’re not alone

Miscarriage can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you need medical help, we’re here to help. 1300 003 707 Our compassionate team is just a call away. ❤️

Content reviewed by Dr Philip Goldstone, Medical Director of MSI Australia.