Miscarriage - Pregnancy - Knowledge Area

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PREGNANCY - MISCARRIAGE

We'd love everything to be perfect and go according to plan, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen.

Here is some brief information about miscarriages but please do consult your GP, midwife or hospital casualty department if you think you might be miscarrying.

There is a lot more information and support available at The Miscarriage Association who rightly point out that the tv/film portrayal of women miscarrying (collapsing in a pool of blood, clutching their abdomen) is NOT what happens to most women.

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The Basics

A miscarriage (or non-viable pregnancy) is the spontaneous loss of a baby.

It is estimated that sadly one in four women experiences a miscarriage and that one in five pregnancies ends this way.

The most common miscarriage is the "early" miscarriage which happens in the first 13 weeks (this is why most women wait to make their pregnancy public news until after 12 or 13 weeks).

Miscarriages can occur up to 24 weeks - after this the loss of a baby is referred to as a stilbirth.

Ectopic pregnancy - this is where the foetus develops outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. For full information, please read this leaflet provided by the Miscarriage Association.

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What are the causes?

Even though such a high percentage of pregnancies ends in miscarriage, it is unlikely you will know the exact cause. They are usually the result of a genetic abnormality in the embryo or foetus. About half of early miscarriages are due to a chance abnormality but some are inherited.

If you have repeated miscarriages this would be looked into although they are not usually investigated unless you've had 3 or more.

Less common causes include:

Abnormal hormone levels
Problems with the cervix
Problems with the uterus
Blood clotting disorders
Infection - such as blood infections and food poisoning, such as listeria can lead to miscarriage (but very rarely)

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What are the Symptoms?

You may have some or all of these symptoms:

Pain, caused by the contractions of the uterus
Leaking of amniotic fluid (only in later miscarriages)
Bleeding from the vagina

Bleeding in Pregnancy

Bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is often termed "threatened miscarriage" but many women go on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

If you start to bleed when pregnant, contact see your GP or midwife as soon as possible. You may have a scan to find out if the baby's heart is still beating.

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Am I at risk?

As above, the reason for early miscarriages is usually unknown, but you are more at risk if you have had previous miscarriages, have fertility problems, if you are your partner are older, if you are significantly overweight or underweight or if you drink a large amount of alcohol.

Speak to your midwife about your personal risk level.

Take a look at our Nutrition in pregnancy page to help you stay healthy.

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What happens if I have a Miscarriage?

With any type of miscarriage, there are options that your hospital should discuss with you, and are likely to recommend the best course of action for your situation.

ERPC (Evacuation of Retained Products of Conception) - this is an operation (under general anaesthetic) to remove the remains of your pregnancy
Medical management - Some hospitals offer a combination of pills and vaginal pessaries which can “kick-start” the process of a delayed or missed miscarriage.
Expectant or conservative management: letting nature take its course - some women prefer to wait and let the miscarriage happen naturally – and hospitals may recommend this too, especially in the first 8 or 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Once again, if you think you are miscarrying, please do contact your GP, midwife or hospital and try not to worry too much - bleeding does not necessarily mean you are miscarrrying.

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Personal Experiences

If you have experience of a miscarriage and are happy to talk about it - please let us know. We can keep it confidential.

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