If you’re pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, you may be feeling confused or scared that you’re having a miscarriage.
It’s important to know that miscarriage symptoms can overlap with healthy pregnancy symptoms, so what you’re experiencing may not be a miscarriage. But you’ll still want to call your doctor, OB-GYN or midwife if you have concerns so they can help you decide if you should be seen in the clinic.
In this post, we’ll go over what a miscarriage can feel like and when miscarriages typically occur. This information can help you understand what may be going on while you wait to be seen by a doctor.
What miscarriage symptoms can look and feel like
Miscarriage symptoms can be different for each person. They can happen suddenly or gradually, so early symptoms may not be noticeable. But for women who do notice signs of what could be a miscarriage, possible symptoms include:
- Pink, red or brown vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen and back
- Passing tissue or blood clots from the vagina that range from light brownish discharge to heavy blood clots
Possible signs of an early miscarriage before 12 weeks gestation
In the very early stages of pregnancy, it’s possible that there are no signs of miscarriage. Some miscarriages can happen before some women even know they’re pregnant or before a detectable rise in hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), the primary pregnancy hormone.
Miscarriage is most common in the first trimester of pregnancy. After the first trimester, the chances of a miscarriage drop to less than 5%.
For those who do experience early miscarriage symptoms, signs can include:
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Mild cramping or abdominal pain
- Loss of pregnancy symptoms, such as tender breasts or nausea
Again, the type of miscarriage can determine the symptoms women may experience. For example, spotting or mild cramping are the most common symptoms of a chemical pregnancy (when egg fertilization occurs but implantation doesn’t) and a blighted ovum miscarriage (when implantation occurs but no further growth happens).
In an ectopic pregnancy, when an embryo implants outside of the uterus (usually in a fallopian tube), one-sided abdominal pain, usually on the side of incorrect implantation, is a more commonly associated miscarriage symptom. Ectopic pregnancies are a medical emergency and need immediate attention, so you should seek care if you’re experiencing any sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen or back.
Early symptoms of a healthy pregnancy can be mistaken for a miscarriage
It’s important to know that vaginal spotting does not always mean miscarriage. Vaginal spotting can be a common sign of early pregnancy. In fact, up to 25% of women report bleeding and spotting in early pregnancy. Mild cramps can also be common and not necessarily be a sign of a miscarriage. But always call your doctor, OB-GYN or midwife if you experience any of these symptoms.
Possible symptoms of a second trimester miscarriage
Once a pregnancy reaches 13 weeks gestation, the second trimester begins.
Occasionally, a baby can stop developing after a heartbeat is seen during the dating ultrasound or first trimester scan. This is called a missed miscarriage or MAB. This type of miscarriage is diagnosed when there is no heartbeat heard by doppler or seen on ultrasound after 7 weeks gestation, but there aren’t any vaginal bleeding or clots.
Second trimester miscarriage signs usually involve vaginal bleeding or pain, which can include:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding (not spotting) or blood clots
- Cramps or abdominal pain that can come and go
- A trickle or gush of clear fluid from the vagina, which could be a sign the amniotic water sac opened too early
Bleeding during the second trimester doesn’t always mean miscarriage, but it does mean you should get care as soon as possible
Bleeding in the second trimester is less common and may be a sign of a more serious condition, like placenta previa or preterm labor. These conditions can be monitored and treated, and it doesn’t mean a miscarriage will happen. But it’s very important to seek care immediately to protect you and your baby’s health.
Pregnancy tests aren’t reliable for telling you if you had a miscarriage
It takes time for hormones to return to their pre-pregnancy levels after a miscarriage. The amount of the pregnancy hormone hCG may still be high enough to cause a positive result on a pregnancy test for several weeks after a miscarriage. If a miscarriage is suspected, your doctor will walk you through next steps.
What to do if you think you’re having a miscarriage
If you think you’re noticing signs of miscarriage such as bleeding, spotting or cramping, call your doctor, OB-GYN or midwife right away. Your care team will guide you to your best next steps, including helping you get an appointment when recommended.
If you’re experiencing heavy bleeding, stabbing abdominal pain or regular contractions, head to your nearest emergency room.
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