When to be concerned... PDF E-mail
A general discussion of signs and concerns that a miscarriage may be occurring was presented earlier. We believe that providing some more specific information on what to expect before, during, and after the loss of your baby may help to relieve panic, provide awareness of possible treatment options to discuss with your healthcare provider, and inform you of the typical physical recovery. We hope a better understanding of the physical occurrences of miscarriage will help you to realize that, while dramatic, the emotions you are experiencing are justified. The events of miscarriage are often distressing but our goal is to give you some possibilities of what you might encounter physically. We hope providing you with this knowledge will help you to support one another and begin to work through the psychological coping of your loss. 

 

While some women have signs and symptoms of an impending miscarriage, others may not. For those women who do experience such symptoms, do not assume that miscarriage is inevitable. Any concerns you may have, and especially those we will discuss should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. Often, one of the first signs that a miscarriage might be occurring is vaginal spotting or bleeding. This is NOT an absolute indication that you are losing your baby, but simply a time to be concerned. Many women experience some bleeding throughout their pregnancy, and many do go on to have healthy babies. The bleeding may be light to moderate, and occur only once or at irregular intervals. Staining, spotting, or bleeding is usually dark brown. With miscarriage it is likely the color of blood will change to pink or red. You may also have abdominal cramping or back pain. This can occur alone, or along with the vaginal bleeding. The discomfort might feel like menstrual cramps, but a wide variety of uncomfortable or painful sensations could indicate possible miscarriage. When bleeding is heavy, you observe the passage of clots of any color, and cramping is present, chances of a continued pregnancy are extremely low. Miscarriages which occur later in pregnancy may have some of these signs as well, but one of the most distressing is an absence of your baby’s movement when previous movement had been felt (i.e. kicking, changing positions).  These symptoms, along with any other concerns you may have should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. We simply cannot emphasize this enough. 

 

Diagnosis of an absolute miscarriage can only by made by your healthcare provider. Most likely this will occur by evaluating a sonogram which will either reveal that your baby no longer has a heartbeat, or that your uterus is now empty, meaning you have already passed your baby during your vaginal bleeding. Laboratory blood work will often accompany this exam, and may be repeated in follow up visits to your healthcare provider.