Most of the time, bleeding is the first sign of a miscarriage. However, a miscarriage can occur without bleeding. Other symptoms or a decrease in pregnancy signs may happen first.
Many people prefer the term pregnancy loss to miscarriage. Pregnancy loss is most common within the first trimester of pregnancy, and the risk steadily declines as the pregnancy progresses.
It is important to remember that pregnancy symptoms shift over time. These changes do not always signal a pregnancy loss.
Anyone who believes that they have lost a pregnancy, with or without bleeding, should seek medical attention.
Pregnancy losses do not always involve bleeding. In fact, a person may not experience any symptoms and only learn of the loss when a doctor cannot detect a heartbeat during a routine ultrasound.
Bleeding during pregnancy loss occurs when the uterus empties. In
Some doctors refer to this type of pregnancy loss as a missed miscarriage. The loss may go unnoticed for many weeks, and some people do not seek treatment.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, most losses occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Research from 2021 suggests that
Some people have no external symptoms of pregnancy loss. When the loss occurs early on, the person may have few signs of pregnancy, which can make identifying the loss more challenging.
Changes in pregnancy signs are expected over time, particularly in the transition from the first to the second trimester. These changes do not necessarily indicate the loss of the pregnancy.
Some signs of a pregnancy loss without bleeding include:
- a sudden decrease in pregnancy signs
- pregnancy tests that show a negative result
- abdominal cramping
- vaginal discharge of fluid or tissue
If the pregnancy has advanced, fetal movement may noticeably slow or stop.
People may seek treatment for a pregnancy loss if they experience bleeding. When there is no bleeding, a doctor may only diagnose a loss during a routine scan.
A doctor may also suspect a loss because of other indications, such as a drop in the levels of pregnancy hormones or an unusual decrease in other pregnancy signs.
Blood tests can determine the levels of hormones, which can help to assess the likelihood of a pregnancy loss. To conclusively diagnose a loss, a doctor must perform an ultrasound to check for a heartbeat.
To confirm a pregnancy loss, a doctor may choose to perform scans on multiple days.
To determine the reason for a loss, a doctor may also recommend genetic testing, further ultrasound scans, or blood testing.
The goal of treatment is to remove the fetus and tissue from the uterus and to prevent complications, such as a uterine infection. There is a
When pregnancy loss occurs in the first trimester, people may choose to wait up to 14 days to pass any remaining tissue naturally. If someone chooses this, they may experience bleeding and other symptoms, such as cramping.
If the uterus does not empty, or if a person does not want to wait, the potential management options include:
- medication that encourages the release of the fetus
- a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage
A doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medication to relieve cramping. If they do not work, a doctor may prescribe something stronger.
In rare cases, pregnancy loss leads to a uterine infection, which requires treatment.
Getting support
It is essential to consider mental health when choosing a course of treatment. People may feel immense grief, guilt, and anxiety following a pregnancy loss.
Some people might benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional about medical treatment options for mental health issues. A healthcare professional may also recommend the following:
- talk therapy
- bereavement support services
- support groups, such as:
Many people worry that they are responsible for the loss of their pregnancies. In most cases, this is untrue, and the loss is outside of a person’s control.
The most common cause of a pregnancy loss in the first trimester is a chromosomal abnormality that would have made it impossible for the baby to survive.
Less common causes include:
- viral infections
- illnesses
- physical injuries
- abnormalities in the uterus or other reproductive organs
- untreated medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension
The recovery time after a pregnancy loss depends on many factors, including how far along the pregnancy was.
For most people, the physical recovery time is relatively short. People who undergo surgical removal of the fetus may experience no physical symptoms after any associated bleeding stops.
Those who experience complications, such as a uterine infection, can expect a longer recovery time. However, severe complications are
The emotional effects of a pregnancy loss can last much longer and may vary from person to person. There is no standard timeline, no right way to grieve, and no right way to feel about a pregnancy loss.
People may find that talking with loved ones, joining a support group, and meeting with a therapist who specializes in pregnancy loss helps.
An older
In fact, the researchers found that the odds of becoming pregnant may be slightly higher after a loss. People who are ready to try again should not feel as though they have to wait.
Following a pregnancy loss, people may worry that they will be unable to become pregnant again. However,
There is no right way to respond to the loss of a pregnancy. Some people need time to grieve, while others may want to try again right away.
Pregnancy losses can occur in many ways. Some involve no physical symptoms, while others may be painful and require surgery.
Working with trusted healthcare professionals and support groups can help a person manage the physical and emotional effects of a pregnancy loss.