Miscarriage
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Helpful information & support
Miscarriage & baby loss resources & charities:
- Miscarriage Association - Support and resources for those affected by miscarriage
- Cruse bereavement support - Grief and loss support services
- Request a baby loss certificate - Government services for parents
- Aching Arms - Support for parents following the loss of a baby
- Forever Stars - Charity offering support for baby loss families
- Making miracles - Helping parents coping with baby loss
- Tommy’s - Miscarriage information and support
Support for the BAME community:
Symptoms of a miscarriage
The most common sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding. This can range from light spotting or brown discharge to heavier bleeding with bright red blood or clots. Bleeding may come and go over a few days.
It’s important to know that light bleeding in the first trimester (first 3 months of pregnancy) can be quite common and doesn’t always mean a miscarriage. However, if you’re pregnant and have bleeding from your vagina or you have pain in your belly, make sure to call your doctor, nurse or midwife right away.
If you have had 3 or more miscarriages in a row, and feel concerned, you can also go directly to an early pregnancy unit for extra support. Other signs of a miscarriage can include:
- Cramping and/or pain in the belly
- Passing fluid or tissue
- Changes in pregnancy symptoms like less nausea or breast tenderness
When to seek urgent help
Sometimes, pregnancy can develop outside the womb, a condition known as an ectopic pregnancy. This serious issue can lead to internal bleeding. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.
- Severe and persistent belly pain (often one-sided)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Feeling faint or loss of consciousness
What may cause a miscarriage?
It’s not always possible to know why a miscarriage happens, and that uncertainty can be hard to cope with. However, it’s important to remember that miscarriages are rarely caused by anything you did or didn’t do. Most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies in the future.
First trimester miscarriages (first 3 months of pregnancy)
Most early miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities. This means the baby’s chromosomes didn’t develop as expected.
Second trimester miscarriages (3 to 6 months of pregnancy)
In later pregnancy, miscarriages are more likely to be linked to health conditions that are not well managed, like diabetes, certain infections, or issues with the shape of the womb or cervix.
Risk factors
Certain factors can increase the chance of miscarriage, but this does not mean that it will necessarily happen. Many people with these risk factors still have healthy pregnancies.
Previous miscarriages
If you’ve experienced miscarriage(s) in the past, your risk of another does increase slightly.
Ethnicity
Research shows that black, indigenous, and other people of colour have a higher miscarriage risk than white women.
Age
The risk of miscarriage increases as you age, especially after 35. While incidence rates might seem high, many people in their 30s and 40s still have healthy pregnancies.
Excess weight
Having a BMI below 19 or above 25 can slightly raise the risk of miscarriage, with higher risks for those with a BMI over 30. Managing a healthy weight before and during pregnancy can help lower this risk.
Myth-busting
Many believe certain activities may cause miscarriage, but there is no evidence that links the following activities to an increased risk during pregnancy; exercise, lifting, prolonged work, sex, flying, and eating spicy food.
Medications
Some medications can increase the risk of miscarriage. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, or supplements) if you’re planning to conceive or are pregnant. Never stop prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
Stress
Everyday stress is unlikely to cause a miscarriage, though prolonged high levels of stress may be linked. Taking time to manage everyday stress and take care of your mental health during pregnancy is just as important as your physical health.
Recognising a miscarriage
How is a miscarriage diagnosed?
If you experience vaginal bleeding or other symptoms of miscarriage, your GP or midwife may refer you to an early pregnancy unit for further tests. If you’re more than 18 weeks pregnant, you’ll likely be referred to the maternity unit for care.
In very early pregnancies (under 6 weeks), it can be difficult to confirm a miscarriage right away, so testing to confirm this diagnosis may be delayed.
Hospitals can perform tests to check if you are having a miscarriage and whether any pregnancy tissue remains in your womb (incomplete miscarriage) or if it has passed naturally (complete miscarriage).
An ultrasound is usually the first step, often done using a small probe inside the vagina (transvaginal ultrasound) to check the baby’s development and look for their heartbeat. While it may feel a little uncomfortable, it isn’t painful.
You can also request an external scan, though it may not be as precise as the transvaginal scan. Neither type of scan is dangerous to the baby and they don’t increase your risk of miscarriage.
Blood tests are also commonly done to check pregnancy hormone levels, usually over 2 tests taken 48 hours apart. If a miscarriage can’t be confirmed immediately with ultrasound and blood testing, follow-up tests may be needed after 1 or 2 weeks.
Sometimes, a miscarriage is discovered during a routine scan. In the very early stages of pregnancy, the scan may reveal that the baby is much smaller than expected for your pregnancy stage, or no longer has a heartbeat. This is called a missed or delayed miscarriage
Recurrent miscarriages
If you’ve had 3 or more miscarriages in a row, doctors may suggest further tests to find out why. In about half of cases, no specific cause is found, but you’ll likely be offered extra care, like early scans, to help reassure and support you in future pregnancies.
Genetic testing
After a third miscarriage, genetic testing on the baby might be recommended to check for chromosomal abnormalities (chromosomes are packages of DNA). If any issues are found, you and your partner may also undergo testing.
This process, called karyotyping, can help specialists provide guidance on your chances of a successful pregnancy, and whether treatments like IVF may be an option. This is part of genetic counselling, which offers expert advice on managing future pregnancies.
Additional tests
- Ultrasound scans: These can check the structure of your womb and monitor your cervix if needed, usually between 10 and 12 weeks in a new pregnancy
- Blood tests: Certain blood tests may be used to check for antibodies that could affect blood flow to the baby, potentially leading to a miscarriage. These tests are usually done twice, a few weeks apart
Experiencing a miscarriage
If no pregnancy tissue remains in your womb, you won’t need any further treatment. However, if some tissue is still present, there are a few options to help your body through the process. Your doctor will guide you in choosing the option that’s best for you.
Medical management
If you don’t want to wait or if the miscarriage doesn’t complete naturally, medication can help. This involves taking tablets that cause the cervix to open and allow the tissue to pass. Pessaries, placed in the vagina, are typically used and dissolve within a few hours.
You may experience cramping and bleeding, like a period, which can last for up to 3 weeks.
Contact your healthcare professional if bleeding has not started within 48 hours of taking the medicine.
Most people are sent home for the miscarriage to complete. If the bleeding becomes very heavy while you’re at home, make sure to contact your hospital.
You should also take a home pregnancy test after 3 weeks to confirm the miscarriage is complete. If it shows you're still pregnant, contact a healthcare professional as you may need to have further tests.
Expectant management
This approach involves waiting for the tissue to pass naturally. If you’ve had a miscarriage in the first trimester, you can wait for 7 to 14 days for the miscarriage to complete on its own. As the bleeding and pain ease, it usually signals that the process is over. You’ll be advised to take a home pregnancy test in 3 weeks to confirm.
If the bleeding or pain doesn’t start or continues after 14 days, your healthcare team may suggest another scan for further guidance. Be sure to contact them urgently if you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain or develop a fever.
Surgical management
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove any remaining tissue, especially if you experience continuous heavy bleeding, signs of infection, or if other methods haven’t worked.
The procedure uses suction to clear the womb and can be performed under local or general anaesthetic, depending on your preference and what’s suitable for you.
In many cases, the cause of a miscarriage cannot be identified and there’s often nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening.
However, there are ways to help lower the risk of having a miscarriage, including:
- Avoiding smoking, here are some tips to help you stop smoking (if you do smoke)
- Avoiding alcohol
- Avoiding recreational drug usage
- Eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet, including your 5-a-day
- Avoiding eating certain foods which could harm you or your baby during pregnancy
- Being a healthy weight and losing weight (if you’re overweight) before getting pregnant
Sometimes the cause of a miscarriage can be identified and it may be possible to treat these causes to lessen the risk of having another miscarriage in the future. These causes include:
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a condition that causes blood clots, managed with medication
- A weakened cervix which can be treated with surgery
Recovery & support after a miscarriage
Emotional recovery
Miscarriage can be a deeply emotional experience, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Whether you find comfort in talking about your feelings or prefer to process things privately, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve.
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions. Grief can come in waves, and everyone processes it differently.
Some people may feel a sense of relief when the process is over, especially if it was prolonged or unclear. Others may find the emotional impact takes more time to work through, and that’s okay.
Some people experience other emotions and difficulties, including:
- Sadness
- Shock
- Anger
- Guilt
- Low mood
- Feelings of anxiety
- Relationship problems
It's important to know that help and support are available. Your GP can refer you to counselling or talking therapies through the NHS.
Physical recovery
Physically, you might feel more tired or run down than usual, and recovery can vary. For some, it may take just a few days, while others may need weeks. Factors like how much bleeding you experienced or how long the process lasted can affect this. If you're concerned about your recovery, make sure to contact your GP.
Most people will have their first period within 4 to 8 weeks after a miscarriage, and it may be heavier or longer than usual. It might take a bit of time for your cycle to return to normal.
You should avoid having sex until all of your miscarriage symptoms have gone.
There’s plenty of help and advice available through The Miscarriage Association, a charity that supports people through baby loss.
When someone you know has experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy loss, it can be hard to know what to say. You might worry about saying the wrong thing or wonder if it’s better to say nothing at all. The most important thing is to listen and be guided by what they need.
What to say
Even simple words like “I’m sorry” can mean a lot. Acknowledging their loss shows you care.
What not to say
Comments meant to comfort can sometimes unintentionally hurt. Avoid saying things like:
- “You can always have another baby.”
- “At least it happened early.”
- “It wasn’t meant to be.”
These statements can diminish the person’s grief. Instead, a hug, a listening ear, or simply being present can be more meaningful.
If you can’t find the right words, just being there for them can help. Whether it’s a kind message, a phone call or offering to help with practical tasks like shopping or making a meal, your support can make a real difference.
Sending a card or a text to let them know you’re thinking of them is a simple way to show you care. While giving space is important, staying connected is too.
Pregnancy loss can affect mental health. If someone is struggling, offer to help them navigate seeking professional support, whether it’s accompanying them to appointments or finding helpful resources. Remember, your own wellbeing matters too, make sure you also take time to care for yourself.
With gentle empathy and consistent support, you can make a big difference to someone going through pregnancy loss. Sometimes, just being there is all they need.
Related articles
Helpful definitions
You may be offered a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) if tests show that your baby is not developing as expected. This may be due to a serious genetic or structural condition. You may also be offered a TFMR if you have pregnancy complications that pose a risk to your life or your baby’s life.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. If an egg gets stuck in a fallopian tube, it won't develop into a baby. You will need surgery to remove the pregnancy and, usually, the affected fallopian tube, especially if the egg has developed to the point of rupturing the tube.
A missed miscarriage happens when the baby dies in the womb, but there are no symptoms of miscarriage, such as bleeding or pain. Many women continue to feel pregnant and have pregnancy symptoms.
An early miscarriage, or a first-trimester miscarriage, is one that happens in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Most miscarriages are early miscarriages. Different types of early miscarriage could include a chemical pregnancy, a missed miscarriage, or an incomplete miscarriage.
Recurrent miscarriage is defined as having 3 or more early (first-trimester) miscarriages.
A chemical pregnancy (sometimes called a biochemical pregnancy) is a very early miscarriage that usually happens around 5 weeks.
An incomplete miscarriage is when a miscarriage begins, but some of the baby’s remains or other pregnancy tissue stays in the womb.
A second-trimester loss is one that happens after 13 weeks and before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm are placed directly into a woman’s uterus.
IVF is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves monitoring and stimulating a woman’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from her ovaries, and allowing a man’s sperm to fertilise them in a culture medium in a laboratory. After the fertilised egg (zygote) undergoes embryo culture for 2–6 days, it is transferred by catheter into the uterus, with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an infertility treatment. It involves injecting live sperm into a person’s eggs in a laboratory. This procedure can create an embryo (fertilised egg). ICSI is a form of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Healthcare providers most commonly use ICSI when male infertility affects a person’s ability to conceive a child.
Frequently asked questions
In most cases, once a miscarriage has started, it can’t be stopped, no matter how far along you are in the pregnancy. Usually, the symptoms of a miscarriage indicate that the pregnancy has already ended.
For those with endometriosis, the risk of miscarriage is slightly higher. However, many people with endometriosis still go on to have healthy pregnancies. If you're concerned, your healthcare provider can offer support and guidance to help you through.
The risk of miscarriage is highest in the early weeks of pregnancy and decreases as the weeks progress.
Most miscarriages happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and they are referred to as “early miscarriage”. Early miscarriages happen in 10 to 20% of pregnancies. In the second trimester (3 to 6 months of pregnancy) loss happens much more rarely.
Yes, you can have a miscarriage without any bleeding. This is known as a 'missed miscarriage', where the baby has stopped developing, but your body hasn’t yet shown any symptoms, such as bleeding or pain.
While this can be hard to hear, it’s important to remember that missed miscarriages are usually a one-off event, and many people go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards.
After a miscarriage, your body will go through a healing process, both physically and emotionally.
We’ve covered more on this in the ‘Recovery after a miscarriage’ section of the page.
Remember, most miscarriages are a one-off event, and many people go on to have healthy pregnancies in the future. Take the time you need and know that help is always available when you're ready.
