What to know after a miscarriage or abortion: What to eat and avoid?

What to eat after a miscarriage or abortion? What should you pay attention to in post-miscarriage or post-abortion dietary therapy? Which foods should you consume more of, and which ones should you avoid? This article provides a detailed nutritional guide to address all your concerns..

Weekly guidelines after a miscarriage or abortion

First week after miscarriage or abortion

Lochia	During the first week, lochia is bright red or dark red, resembling the early stage of menstruation, and flows in relatively large amounts. *
Diet	Focus on consuming pure, nutritious foods such as chicken soup and beef soup. If the fetus has been confirmed to be fully expelled, you can drink biochemical soup or cleansing essences like Ai-Xiao-Yue to help purify and refresh the body. Drink small amounts of water frequently throughout the day.
Others	Regardless of the abortion method, rest for at least 2 days. If your doctor has requested a follow-up, make sure to visit the clinic on time to confirm the complete expulsion of the fetus. Get enough sleep, avoid heavy lifting, and abstain from sexual activity for at least two weeks.

Note*: During the lochia period, carefully observe the amount, color, and your overall health condition. If you notice any abnormalities, return to the doctor as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment.

Note**: According to Article 33 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law, the duration of leave for miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, or pathological abortion ranges from 10 to 50 days, depending on the severity and individual needs.

Second week after miscarriage or abortion

Lochia	During this week, as the uterine lining starts to heal, the amount of lochia decreases and becomes thinner, with its color changing to pink or reddish-brown.
Diet	Incorporate foods rich in carbohydrates and iron, as well as protein-rich fruits like oats and grapes. If lochia has completely stopped, begin consuming Four-Substance Decoction (containing angelica, rehmannia, Sichuan lovage root, and white peony) or Ai-Xiao-Yue to help restore energy and strength.
Others	Avoid baths, hot springs, swimming, and high-intensity exercises. Engage in light activities like walking or gentle yoga. Ensure adequate sleep, avoid lifting heavy objects, and refrain from sexual activity during this time.

Third week after miscarriage or abortion

Lochia	The third stage of lochia consists of white discharge, which gradually lessens and eventually stops. This discharge mainly contains white blood cells, epithelial cells, and cervical mucus, appearing as whitish or pale yellow, similar to normal vaginal discharge.
Diet	Return to a normal diet while avoiding irritating foods, raw foods, or cold items such as spicy hotpot, iced drinks, or sashimi. Continue taking Four-Substance Decoction (containing angelica, rehmannia, Sichuan lovage root, and white peony) or Ai-Xiao-Yue to strengthen your body and prevent back pain.
Others	You can resume normal daily activities while maintaining a balanced lifestyle and ensuring proper rest.

 

Fourth week after miscarriage or abortion

Menstrual cycle	Menstruation typically returns within 1 to 2 months after a miscarriage or abortion. During the first three months, it is normal for your menstrual cycle to be slightly irregular, so there’s no need to worry excessively.
Diet	Maintain a normal diet but continue avoiding foods that are irritating, raw, or cold. Include Four-Substance Decoction (containing angelica, rehmannia, Sichuan lovage root, and white peony) or Ai-Xiao-Yue to boost physical strength and prevent back pain.
Others	You can resume normal daily activities while maintaining a balanced lifestyle and ensuring proper rest.

Detailed nutritional guide for post-miscarriage or abortion recovery

First week: Healing and eliminating lochia

During the initial recovery period, following a miscarriage or abortion, the body is still relatively weak. It is essential to focus on nutritional supplementation by consuming protein-rich foods such as various types of meat, eggs, and soy products to help the uterus recover and strengthen the immune system.

Typically, Western medicine doctors may prescribe uterine contraction medications, while Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners may recommend biochemical soup. This helps promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, warm the body, reduce cramping, and facilitate the smooth expulsion of lochia.

Both uterine contraction medications and biochemical soup play a vital role in ensuring a smoother lochia discharge process. Additionally, since miscarriage or abortion depletes significant blood levels, it’s advisable to consume iron-rich foods such as pork liver, red dates, and dark green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach) to replenish blood and boost recovery.

Should eat	Shoudn't eat
High-protein foods: Chicken, fish, beef, eggs, milk, soy products, chicken essence. Blood-enriching foods: Spinach, pork liver, red dates, carrots, pumpkin, wood ear mushrooms, seaweed, red beans. Traditional Chinese Medicine for blood circulation: Angelica (Dang Gui), motherwort, biochemical soup.	Irritating foods: Spicy or sour dishes, garlic, ginger, chives. Raw and cold foods: Iced beverages, sashimi, raw vegetables. Cooling foods: Persimmons, tofu, white radish, citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, mandarins), pears, bamboo shoots, crab.

Weeks 2-3 after miscarriage or abortion: Nourishing blood and energy, strengthening the spleen and stomach

 

After the lochia has been fully discharged, in addition to continuing the dietary recommendations mentioned earlier, you can begin consuming other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) remedies for nourishment. Examples include:

• Four-God Soup (Chinese yam, poria, gorgon fruit, and lotus seeds): A common formula for strengthening the spleen and stomach.
• Four-Gentlemen Decoction (ginseng, white peony, poria, and licorice): A widely-used remedy for enhancing spleen function and overall vitality.
• Four-Substance Decoction (angelica, rehmannia, Sichuan lovage root, and white peony): A renowned formula for enriching the blood and promoting circulation.
• Eucommia tea: Effective for treating kidney weakness, alleviating back pain, and addressing the root causes of prolonged lower back discomfort.

For nutritional supplementation, if your appetite allows, prioritize energy-rich foods such as whole grains, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are particularly beneficial as they are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, minerals, and fiber. These not only provide essential nutrients but also help prevent constipation.

Should eat	Shouldn't eat
Grains and legumes: Brown rice, oats, millet, germinated rice, red beans, hyacinth beans. Iron-rich fruits: Mulberries, black plums, red grapes, cherries, peaches, strawberries. Herbal remedies: Four-God Soup, Four-Substance Decoction, Four-Gentlemen Decoction, Eucommia tea, astragalus, wolfberry, longan.	Irritating foods: Spicy seasonings, garlic, ginger, chives. Raw and cold foods: Iced drinks, sashimi, raw vegetables. Cooling foods: Persimmons, tofu, white radish, citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, mandarins), pears, bamboo shoots, crab.

 

Fourth week after miscarriage or abortion: Nourishing Yin and strengthening the kidneys, restoring skin tone

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is often believed that after a miscarriage or abortion, in addition to the depletion of Qi and blood, the kidneys are also vulnerable to depletion. Therefore, when preparing nourishing soups, it is recommended to combine them with a dietary regimen and include some nutrient-dense meats and foods that can “nourish Yin and strengthen the kidneys,” such as goat meat, eel, and mudfish.

For vegetables, you can also include foods like chives, Chinese yam (Dioscorea), and chestnuts.

It is important to note that even though the body is recovering, you should still limit fatty foods to prevent the accumulation of excess fat during this period!

Should eat	Shouldn't eat
Nourishing dishes: Sesame oil, Four-Substance Decoction, Four-Gentlemen Decoction. Other foods: Kidney-strengthening meats, chives, sweet potatoes, Chinese yam (Dioscorea), chestnuts, black beans. Fruits: Papaya, tomatoes, oranges, apples, pineapples, lychees.	Simply adhere to the principle of cooking "light, with less oil and less salt."

When to seek regulatory care after a miscarriage or abortion

Natural miscarriage	After confirming that the fetus has been expelled, completing the prescribed medication, and no follow-up appointments are necessary, you can begin the regulation process.
Medication abortion	After a follow-up confirms that the fetus has been expelled and all prescribed medication has been taken, you can begin the regulation process.
Surgical abortion	After confirming that the fetus has been expelled, completing the prescribed medication, and no follow-up appointments are needed, you can start the regulation process.
Induced labor	After confirming that the fetus has been expelled, completing the prescribed medication, and no follow-up appointments are required, you can begin the regulation process.

 Nutritional products after miscarriage or abortion! Convenient and easy to use

From the knowledge above, you can see that post-miscarriage and post-abortion care is similar to postpartum care. It is not only important to focus on wound recovery but also to pay attention to nourishing the woman's health. Neglecting this issue can easily affect your future gynecological health.

 

"Ai-Xiao-Yue" post-miscarriage and post-abortion regulation program by Tianyiai is a highly convenient program designed for modern women. It has the following features:

✔️ Supervised by a team at the first GMP-certified Traditional Chinese Medicine factory, extracted from natural herbal essences.

✔️ One box is designed for 3 stages of regulation, and when combined with a healthy diet, it can complete the entire regulation process.

✔️ Convenient and simple, just tear open and consume or mix with warm water for drinking.

✔️ Recommended by both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, safe and reliable.

FAQs about miscarriage and abortion: How to supplement nutrition and regulate with herbs?

Q1: Many articles say that after a miscarriage or abortion, one shouldn't take Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

A: It is safe to take TCM! According to TCM doctors, TCM is actually more necessary than functional nutritional supplements. In the past, it was often believed that after childbirth, one should avoid taking TCM, for two main reasons:

• Most people, after a miscarriage or abortion, consult an obstetrician-gynecologist. Because Western medicine and TCM may have conflicting effects when used together, doctors often advise not to take uterine contraction medications and TCM simultaneously. However, once it is confirmed that the miscarriage is complete (i.e., the fetus has been fully expelled) and after taking the prescribed Western medicine, you can begin using herbal supplements to support your health post-miscarriage or abortion.
• Previously, many people unknowingly purchased herbs from unreliable sources, but now, regulation products are manufactured by government-approved pharmaceutical factories in Taiwan, using natural herbs that are safe for both "medicine and food"! When used in the recommended dosage, these products are completely safe for users, so you can use them with confidence.

Q2: Herbal regulation is necessary, so how should it be taken?

A: If you consult a TCM doctor, you should follow their prescribed dosage. If you choose the Ai-Xiao-Yue regulation program, you can refer to the following guidelines:

Q3: Do I need nutritional supplements?

Currently, our nutrition is generally sufficient, so there is no need for additional nutritional supplements. Instead, we need Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs to improve our physical constitution after a miscarriage or abortion.

If you wish to supplement with nutrients such as vitamins, folic acid, inositol, etc., you can get these from foods or purchase dietary supplements like iron tablets, vitamin B complexes, or chicken essence, which can help you absorb nutrients better at an affordable price.

 

Q4: What type of dietary supplements should I choose after a miscarriage or abortion?

Using herbal regulation is essential, but if you wish to improve your health and physical condition, you can also combine them to support a better recovery process.

Body condition after miscarriage or abortion	Recommended nourishing products
If you want to recover to your pre-pregnancy state, are still planning to conceive, or have issues like menstrual pain or irregular periods,...	Herbal regulation products, such as Ai-Xiao-Yue
To reduce the risk of vaginal infections and care for intimate health	Probiotic supplements like cranberry
For individuals with a weak constitution	Vitamins ABCDE*, chicken essence.
For those prone to dizziness	Iron and protein supplements
For those prone to bloating or poor digestion	Probiotics

 Note: For women who choose Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herbs for nourishment, TCM blood-enriching remedies (such as Dang Gui or Angelica) typically contain sufficient iron and vitamin A, so additional supplements are not necessary.

Q5: I gave birth through induced labor, how should I nourish myself and eat appropriately?

A: The dietary recommendations after induced labor are similar to those for other types of childbirth. However, induced labor usually has a longer pregnancy period, so the postpartum recovery should last for 30 days. During this time, combine it with Ái Tiểu Nguyệt and chicken essence to restore health and energy.

After a miscarriage or abortion, it’s normal to feel worried and stressed. Remember, the most important thing now is to take care of yourself—nurturing your body is the priority! If you're afraid of others knowing, consider joining online support groups on platforms like Facebook or Zalo, where you can share your experiences and challenges, help each other, and listen to others’ difficulties.