Miscarriage

Key Points

Overview

A miscarriage is the natural loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks. It is a common and often distressing experience for expectant parents. While it can be a difficult time, support and medical care are available. The exact cause of a miscarriage is often unknown, but it's frequently due to problems with how the pregnancy is developing. Other factors like age, certain health conditions, and lifestyle choices can also increase the risk. Once a miscarriage has started, it cannot be stopped. Medical teams offer various options for managing the process, depending on the stage of pregnancy and individual needs. This can include waiting for the body to pass the pregnancy naturally, using medication, or a minor procedure.

Signs and Symptoms

• Vaginal bleeding (pink, red, brown spots or heavy flow)
• Pain and cramping in the lower tummy
• Passing pink, grey, or white tissue from the vagina
• Sudden fluid leakage from the vagina
• No symptoms, discovered at a scan (missed miscarriage)

Things That Increase the Risk

• Being 35 years old or older
• Father aged 45 or older
• Conditions like diabetes, PCOS, thyroid issues
• Smoking or drinking alcohol
• High caffeine intake
• Being overweight or underweight
• Problems with the womb

Diagnosis

• Discussion of pregnancy history and general health
• Blood or urine tests
• Internal vaginal (trans-vaginal) ultrasound scan

Treatment & Management

• Cannot be stopped once started
• Waiting for symptoms to pass naturally (expectant management)
• Medication to help pass pregnancy tissue
• Minor surgical procedure (suction removal)
• Medical induction for later miscarriages (14-23 weeks)

Prevention

• Manage existing health conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid)
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Limit caffeine consumption
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Seek early prenatal care

Related Diseases

• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Stillbirth
• Infertility
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Miscarriage:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Miscarriage: