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Recognizing the signs of a miscarriage so you can get the care you need
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A miscarriage is when a woman loses a pregnancy before the 20th week. It’s impossible to know how many pregnancies end in miscarriage, since many occur before the woman even knows she’s pregnant. But for women who know they are pregnant, the estimates range from 10 to 20 percent. [1] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source [2] X Research source We'll help you better understand the symptoms of a miscarriage (as well as what they are) and what you can expect you go to the doctor, so you can be fully informed.
Disclaimer: If you think you are having a miscarriage, get medical help immediately.
Things You Should Know
- Symptoms of a miscarriage include tissues, fluid, or clumps of blood being expelled from your vagina, along with vaginal bleeding/spotting and lower back pain.
- Symptoms of a septic miscarriage (a miscarriage caused by a uterine infection) include cramping, fever, chills, abdominal pain, bleeding, and/or foul-smelling fluid discharge.
- Visit a medical professional immediately if you suspect you're having a miscarriage. They'll give you a check-up and tell you the next steps to take.
Steps
Section 2 of 3:
Knowing What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office
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Get a medical check-up. There are several tests and exams that your doctor will probably do to determine whether you have lost the pregnancy. [6] X Research source
- The doctor will likely do an ultrasound to see if the fetus is visible in your womb. If so, the ultrasound will also let the doctor see if it is developing properly. If the fetus is old enough, it may be possible to check the heartbeat.
- Your doctor may do a pelvic exam to see if your cervix is opening.
- Blood tests will allow the doctor to measure your hormones.
- If you have passed tissue and brought it with you, your doctor can test it to confirm whether it is fetal tissue.
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Receive a diagnosis. There several possibilities: [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source [8] X Research source
- A threatened miscarriage is when you are showing signs that you may be about to miscarry. Not all threatened miscarriages actually miscarry. If you have cramps, or you are bleeding, but your cervix is not opening, then you may be diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage.
- If there is nothing the doctor can do to prevent a miscarriage, you will be diagnosed with an inevitable miscarriage. This diagnosis is likely if your cervix has opened, and your uterus is contracting to expel the fetus.
- A complete miscarriage occurs when all of the fetal and pregnancy tissues are expelled.
- An incomplete miscarriage is when you miscarry but some of the fetus or placenta is not passed out through your vagina.
- Missed miscarriage occurs when you do not pass the fetus or placenta even though the fetus has died.
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Follow your doctor’s advice if you have been diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage. Not all threatened miscarriages actually miscarry. However, depending on your situation, it may not be possible to prevent a miscarriage. Your doctor may recommend: [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Resting until the symptoms stop.
- Not exercising.
- Abstaining from sex.
- Not traveling to areas where you will not be able to get quick, high quality medical care if you need it.
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Weigh your options if you have miscarried, but not passed all of the tissues. What your doctor recommends may depend on your preferences.
- You can wait to see if your body passes the remaining tissue on its own. This could take up to a month.
- You can take medication to induce your body to expel the tissue. This usually works quickly, sometimes within a day. The medication can be taken by mouth or by putting it directly into your vagina.
- If you are showing signs of infection, the doctor will dilate you and remove the tissue.
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Give yourself time to recover physically if you have miscarried. Chances are the recovery will be quick and you will be physically healthy within a few days afterwards.
- Know that your period may resume the following month. This means that you are physically capable of getting pregnant again immediately. If you do not wish to do so, use contraception.
- Allow your vaginal tissues 2 weeks to recover. During this time, don’t have sex or use tampons.
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Take the time to heal psychologically. Studies show that women who miscarry can grieve the same as those who lose a baby to stillbirth close to their due date. It is extremely important you give yourself time to grieve and surround yourself with supportive people to talk to.
- Get support from friends and family members that you trust.
- Seek out a support group.
- Most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards. A miscarriage probably does not mean that you won’t be able to have a baby.
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References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancyloss
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/miscarriage/how-do-i-know-if-im-having-miscarriage#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20signs%20of,you're%20having%20a%20miscarriage .
- ↑ https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/what-happens-after-miscarriage
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9688-miscarriage
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001488.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513446/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Signs of miscarriage can include tissue, fluid, or clumps of blood coming out of your vagina, spotting, strong cramping, fever, chills, and back pain. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room right away for treatment. Once you’re at the doctor, they will likely do an ultrasound to see if the fetus is developing properly. They may also run a blood test to measure your hormone levels. Once the tests come back, the doctor can tell you whether or not you are miscarrying, and what kind of miscarriage you’re experiencing. If you’re diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage, you’ll need to rest and abstain from sex and exercise for as long as your doctor recommends. For more advice, like how to lower your risk for having a miscarriage, read more from our Medical co-author.
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