I recently went through an unexpected spontaneous miscarriage. From the moment I realized something was wrong until it was all over, the experience was heartbreaking, but I found the process at the Spanish public hospital to be clear and compassionate. I’m writing down my experience to offer a reference for other women who might face the same situation, hoping it can help reduce some of the confusion and fear.
It happened during my early pregnancy, at around 8 weeks. One evening, I suddenly noticed some bleeding. It wasn’t heavy, but it was bright red, accompanied by intermittent cramping in my abdomen. My heart sank. My family and I immediately went to the emergency room (ER) of the nearest public hospital. Upon arrival, I explained the situation at the front desk. Because I was a pregnant woman with bleeding, I was quickly triaged to the gynecological emergency department.
The Hospital’s Process
1. Examination and Diagnosis
Once in the gynecological ER, a nurse asked for basic information, such as the date of my last menstrual period and any allergies, and then scheduled an ultrasound. After performing both an abdominal and a transvaginal ultrasound, which are standard procedures in Spanish prenatal care, the doctor regretfully informed me that there was no heartbeat and the embryo had stopped developing. Even though I was mentally prepared for the worst, I couldn’t hold back my tears upon hearing the definitive news. The doctor was very gentle, giving us time to compose ourselves without rushing.
2. Choosing a Treatment Option
Once the miscarriage was confirmed, the doctor presented several management options to choose from. Depending on the gestational age and specific circumstances, the typical choices are:
| Treatment Method | Spanish Term | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Expectant management | Tratamiento expectante | No medical or surgical intervention; the most natural approach. | Waiting time is uncertain, can take weeks; risk of infection. |
| Medical management | Tratamiento farmacológico | Can be done at home; avoids surgery. | Process can be painful with heavy bleeding; possibility of failure. |
| Surgical management (D&C) | Tratamiento quirúrgico | Fast, thorough, and has a low risk of infection. | Requires anesthesia; it’s an invasive procedure with a very low surgical risk. |
The doctor explained the pros and cons of each option in detail. Considering that I didn’t want to endure a long period of waiting and uncertainty, I ultimately chose surgical management (a D&C procedure). The doctor immediately scheduled the surgery for the next morning and provided detailed pre-operative instructions, such as fasting (no food or water) before the procedure. Although the whole process felt a bit routine, every step was explained clearly, which was very reassuring. I hope my experience can offer a little help to anyone who needs it, and I wish all women a smooth and healthy pregnancy journey.
