Top 10 Signs of Miscarriage You Need to Know

Discussing miscarriage is not a pleasant topic at any time, but knowing the signs can possibly help to prevent one as well as provide comfort in the case of unpreventable pregnancy loss.

Key Points

• Vaginal bleeding is one of the most common signs of a miscarriage.
• If your baby suddenly stops moving for an extended period of time, it could mean a miscarriage has occurred.
• Most miscarriages are not due to any error on mom's part.

Ten Signs of Miscarriage You Need to Know

Cramping

There are many abdominal sensations, including cramping, that are perfectly normal in pregnancy. Strong cramps that have your complete and undivided attention before labor is set to begin are not normal. These strong cramps could be an indication of miscarriage.

If strong cramps occur, you should lie down, get some water, and call your healthcare provider.

Bleeding

Spotting all by itself is not a sign of miscarriage. It can be caused by a number of normally-occurring and healthy pregnancy processes. You should take note and discuss bleeding issues at prenatal appointments. If you suffer from a large amount of bright red bleeding, call immediately. If you experience bleeding after the first trimester, call your healthcare provider right away just to be safe.

Loss of Pregnancy Symptoms

A sudden absence of common pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness and fatigue, may initially be welcome. However, it could actually be a sign that hormone levels have fallen to a point that they no longer sustain pregnancy; thus, the symptoms go away.

Pregnancy symptoms change and evolve as pregnancy progresses, but they shouldn’t cease altogether.

Absence of Fetal Heartbeat

By ten weeks gestational age the baby’s heartbeat should be easily heard at prenatal visits. If the doctor is unable to find a heartbeat it could be an indication that the baby has died or that a pregnancy never occurred. It is common for an ultrasound to be ordered for confirmation.

No Fetal Movements

Once you know what your baby’s little jabs feel like, you should notice them with frequency, especially when you are at rest.

A lull in movement indicating that your baby is taking a nap is normal, but if your baby stops moving or suddenly decreases the vigorousness or frequency of motion, you should call your doctor right away.

Backache

Sometimes women feel the cramping of a contraction as a backache pain rather than an abdominal discomfort. Sharp, frequent, reoccurring backaches can be contractions and possible early signals of miscarriage. As with contractions, mom should lie down, drink a large glass of water, and call the OBGYN.

Positive, Then Negative, Tests

Once a pregnancy test shows positive, it usually stays that way. If tests taken on two consecutive mornings read positive on day one reverting to negative on day two, it can be a sign not only of miscarriage, but of an ectopic pregnancy.

If this has happened to you, you should call your healthcare provider right away for a consultation.

Odd Vaginal Discharge

Red, bloody discharge is not the only vaginal fluid which can be concerning. Fleshy, grey, or stringy discharge and large blood clots can also be a sign of miscarriage.

Opening Cervix

In a normal, healthy pregnancy, the cervix usually remains tightly closed until the last few weeks before delivery. If for some reason the cervix begins to open, or never fully closes during the first few weeks of pregnancy, the miscarriage risk is somewhat higher.

Falling hCG Levels

The body needs to maintain healthy hormone levels with appropriate numbers to sustain a pregnancy. Falling hCG levels is an almost certain sign that miscarriage is on the way.

How to Deal With Fear of A Miscarriage

Worrying about a miscarriage is normal, especially if you're older or struggled to get pregnant. The last thing you want is for your hopes and joys to be dashed by the terrible news that you've miscarried. The first thing to accept is that, in the majority of cases, a miscarriage is totally unavoidable. They don't happen because of a choice the mother made.

Smoking, drinking, and using recreational drugs can increase your risk for miscarriage. If you partake in any of these habits, talk to your doctor about quitting before you try to conceive. Disease can also make you more vulnerable to miscarriage, so make sure you're taking care of your health. Talk to your doctor about immunizations while pregnant before getting any shots.

If you find that your fear of a miscarriage is getting out of control, it's time to talk to a mental health professional. They can help you come to terms with your worries and get them under control. Severe anxiety isn't good for you or for your baby, so you need to get it dealt with as soon as possible.

Miscarriage is a real risk for mothers-to-be, but millions of women safely and healthily have babies every year. More than likely, you and your baby will be just fine. Take care of yourself, and before you know it you'll have a bouncing bundle of joy to hold and look after.

The content of this article should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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