How to Recognize Signs of Miscarriage

Miscarriage occurs when a woman loses her pregnancy before the 20th week. Many women experience miscarriage, and it can even happen before they realize they are pregnant. However, for those who are aware of their pregnancy, the risk is typically between 10% and 20%. If you suspect you are experiencing a miscarriage, seek medical help immediately.

Call your doctor or emergency services immediately if you notice tissue, fluid, or clots of blood coming from your vagina. This could be a sign of a miscarriage. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy and the amount of bleeding, your doctor may advise you to go to the emergency room or may ask you to wait and be monitored during office hours.

• If you notice tissue in the discharge and suspect it could be the embryo, place it in a clean, sealed container and bring it with you to the doctor.
• Although examining the tissue may seem unusual, your doctor may need to inspect it to confirm whether it is the embryo.

Be aware that you are at risk of miscarriage if you experience heavy bleeding or vaginal bleeding. Many women bleed but it does not necessarily indicate a miscarriage. However, it is safest to contact your doctor immediately if you need to go to the emergency room.

• You may also experience cramping. If you have severe cramps, it could also be a sign that you should quickly go to the hospital.

Pay attention if you experience lower back pain. Back pain, discomfort in the abdomen, or cramping can be signs of a miscarriage, even if you are not bleeding.

• Contact your doctor before taking any pain relievers.

Recognizing the signs of a septic miscarriage. This occurs when a woman develops an infection in the uterus and experiences a miscarriage. It is very dangerous for health and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

• Unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge.
• Vaginal bleeding.
• Fever and chills.
• Cramps and abdominal pain.

Medical examination. Your doctor will perform several tests and a clinical examination to confirm whether you are experiencing a miscarriage.

• Doctors typically perform an ultrasound to check if there is an embryo in the uterus. If there is, the ultrasound will show whether the embryo is developing normally. A heartbeat may also be checked if the embryo is large enough.
• The doctor may also check your cervix to determine its dilation.
• A blood test will allow the doctor to measure your hormone levels.
• If you bring tissue with you, the doctor will examine it to confirm whether it is the embryo.

Understand the diagnoses given. There are several possibilities:

• Threatened miscarriage is when you show signs that you may miscarry. Not all threatened miscarriages result in an actual miscarriage. If you experience cramps or bleeding but your cervix is not dilated, you may be diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage.
• If the doctor cannot prevent the miscarriage, you will be diagnosed with an inevitable miscarriage. This diagnosis is made if your cervix is dilated and the uterus is contracting to expel the embryo.
• A complete miscarriage occurs when both the embryo and the pregnancy tissue are expelled from the body.
• An incomplete miscarriage happens when part of the embryo or placenta does not exit through the vagina.
• A missed miscarriage occurs when the embryo or placenta is retained in the uterus even after the embryo has died.

Follow the doctor's advice if you are diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage. Not all cases of threatened miscarriage result in an actual miscarriage. However, depending on your situation, miscarriage may be inevitable. The doctor may advise you to:

• Rest until the symptoms subside.
• Avoid exercise.
• Refrain from sexual activity.
• Stay in places where you can quickly access quality medical care when needed.

Know what will happen if you have a miscarriage and some tissue is not expelled. What the doctor recommends will depend on your preferences.

• You may choose to wait for the remaining tissue to pass naturally. This could take around a month.
• Alternatively, you can take medication to help your body expel the remaining tissue. This method is typically fast, sometimes within a day. You may take the medication orally or insert it vaginally.
• If you show signs of infection, the doctor may perform a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure to remove the tissue.

Give yourself time to recover physically if you have had a miscarriage. The recovery process will be quick, and you will feel completely healthy after a few days.

• Your menstrual cycle will likely return the following month. This means that, physically, you are capable of getting pregnant again right away. If you do not want to get pregnant, consider using contraception.
• The vaginal tissue will need about two weeks to heal. During this time, you should refrain from sexual activity and avoid using tampons.

Take time to recover emotionally. Studies show that women who have had a miscarriage can experience deep sorrow, similar to the grief of losing a baby close to term. Therefore, it is important to allow yourself time to grieve and have someone supportive to talk to.

• Seek support from friends and family members you trust.
• Consider joining a support group.
• Most women who have had a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies later. A miscarriage does not mean you won’t be able to have children in the future.

Understand the common causes of miscarriage. Many miscarriages happen because the fetus does not develop normally. This can occur for various reasons, which may be related to the genetic makeup of the embryo or the mother's health.

• Genetic disorders in the embryo, which can result from inherited issues or problems with the egg or sperm.
• The mother having diabetes.
• Infections.
• Hormonal imbalances in the mother.
• Thyroid problems.
• Issues with the uterus or cervix.

Minimize the risk of miscarriage in the future. While not all miscarriages can be prevented, there are several factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage.

• Smoking.
• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can cause irreversible positioning of the fetus even if a miscarriage does not occur.
• Using drugs. Avoid all substances, including over-the-counter medication and herbal treatments, unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Diabetes.
• Being underweight or overweight.
• Reproductive system problems, especially with the uterus or cervix.
• Exposure to environmental toxins.
• Infections.
• Immune system disorders.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Invasive prenatal screening, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.
• Risk of miscarriage increases for women over the age of 35.

Know what factors do not cause miscarriage. The following activities do not lead to miscarriage under normal circumstances. If your doctor advises otherwise, be sure to follow their recommendations.

• Moderate exercise.
• Safe sexual activity. Avoid infections.
• Engaging in work with minimal exposure to environmental toxins, infectious agents, chemicals, or radiation.