Signs Of A Miscarriage

Miscarriage can be described as natural termination, or loss of embryo, usually within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. In majority of the cases, it is characterized by separation of the fetus and placenta from the uterus wall. It has been seen that the first trimester i.e., 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy are the most dangerous for a woman, in which she is most prone to having a miscarriage. Therefore, maximum care should be taken within these weeks.

Also known as spontaneous abortion, miscarriage is a common occurrence and can be seen in 10-15% of the pregnancies that have been confirmed. Miscarriages occur more often in those women who do not realize that they are even pregnant yet. The chance of miscarriage of pregnancy increases as a woman grows older. In the following lines, we have listed the signs and symptoms that indicate miscarriage in a woman.

Miscarriage Symptoms

Vaginal bleeding or cramping. Though some amount of vaginal bleeding is a common occurrence within the first few weeks of pregnancy, a change or increase in the amount of bleeding is considered to be a sign of miscarriage.
Vaginal bleeding with pain, resulting in the soaking of a pad within few hours or less
Blood clots or pinkish/ grayish (fetal) tissue, something like long strings, passing from the vagina
Bacterial presence or the presence of toxins in the blood
Breaking of the membrane
Severe abdominal pain can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, a life threatening condition where the baby is planted outside the uterus.
Severe pain in genital regions, thighs, buttocks and lower back
Abdominal cramping in a way that you double over or breathe in a huffy way.
Unusual pain in the pelvic region
Vaginal bleeding or spotting, preceded by a brownish discharge
A gush of liquid flowing out from the vagina, but without any bleeding or pain

Some More Signs of Miscarriage

Decreased nausea, breast tenderness and morning sickness
Failure of fetal heartbeat
No fetal movements in the second and third trimester
White-pink discharge from the vagina
Sudden loss in weight
Unexplained dizziness
Severe vomiting
Painful contractions for 5-20 minutes
Burning sensation in the vagina
Frequent urination
Pain while urinating
Dilated cervix and broken membranes

Signs Of Miscarriage Depending On The Length Of Pregnancy

The most prominent sign of miscarriage i.e. bleeding may vary a bit, with the change in the term of pregnancy.

Signs of Early Miscarriage: Miscarriage that occurs within 6 weeks of pregnancy show signs like heavy vaginal bleeding, which resembles a heavy menstrual period.

Signs of Miscarriage in the First Trimester: Miscarriage that occurs within 6-12 weeks of pregnancy show signs like moderate pain or cramping, followed by bleeding.

Signs of Miscarriage after the First Trimester: Miscarriage that occurs after 12 weeks of pregnancy shows signs like bleeding and pain, which feel almost like the intensity of labor.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Health & Fitness'