Signs of a miscarriage

Expectant mothers, especially those who are pregnant for the first time, tend to panic at each ache or pain that is different from those that came before it. And with all the aches and pains that pregnancy brings, there are many opportunities to wonder what is going on inside your body now – and is it something to worry about? Taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the physical sensations that may signal the beginning of a miscarriage can help you to know when to call the doctor immediately, when to rush to the emergency room, and when to just relax after a stressful day.

Bleeding, staining or spotting may occur at any time during the pregnancy and may be nothing to worry about. In the beginning of the pregnancy, the woman may bleed a little when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall, or at the time when she would have normally expected her period if she had not conceived. This is quite normal and is no cause for alarm.

A miscarriage in the first trimester is called an “early miscarriage.” If the woman experiences bleeding or cramps, she may be at risk for a miscarriage, and the term for this condition is “threatened abortion.” She should see her healthcare practitioner as soon as possible to determine if something can be done to save the fetus.

If the flow of blood has increased and bits of pinkish or grayish tissue are being passed, then the miscarriage is probably already under way and there is no way to stop it. On the other hand, if no tissue has been passed, and an examination either by Doppler or ultrasound shows that the fetus is alive, the doctor may prescribe bed rest until the danger passes (signaled by the cessation of the bleeding and abdominal pain).

A “late miscarriage” is the term for a miscarriage that occurs between the end of the first trimester and the 20th week of pregnancy (after this point, a fetus that is born dead is generally referred to as a stillbirth, not a miscarriage). At this point, a threatened miscarriage is indicated by a pink discharge that continues for several days or a light brown discharge that continues for several weeks. This discharge may or may not be accompanied by cramping.

As in the case of a threatened early miscarriage, bed rest is usually also prescribed for a threatened late miscarriage. If the bleeding stops, the pregnancy is considered to be safe, and the woman is allowed to resume her normal activities. However, if the cervix has begun to dilate, it may be considered an incompetent cervix and may need to be stitched closed to prevent miscarriage down the line.

A late miscarriage is probably inevitable if the woman experiences heavy bleeding accompanied by cramping. If this is the case, she will probably be hospitalized in order to protect her from health risks such as hemorrhaging. If she continues to bleed heavily and experience cramping after the miscarriage has occurred, a dilation and curettage (D&C) may be in order to remove any remnants of the pregnancy from the uterus.

Knowing the miscarriage signs described above can help the expectant mother to know when to act immediately and when the symptoms she is experiencing are likely due to another cause, such as a low-lying placenta or even just as a side effect of sexual relations. However, to be on the safe side, always call your doctor when you experience bleeding, cramping, or any other unusual symptoms at any point during pregnancy.