As many as 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, defined as a loss of the contents of pregnancy before 20 weeks. If you’re newly pregnant or have never experienced a pregnancy loss before, you may be wondering the very normal question: How to know if you’re having a miscarriage?
Miscarriages can look different depending on the type and how far along you are in your pregnancy. You should always discuss any concerns you have about your pregnancy with your doctor or care provider because some miscarriages will have no signs, while others can have symptoms that also happen in normal pregnancies.
Here are some facts that might help you on how to know if you’re having a miscarriage.
Most Miscarriages Happen in First Trimester
Daniel Stein, MD, who holds board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and serves as the Medical Director with WINFertility and RMA of New York’s Westside Manhattan office explains that more than 80% of miscarriages happen within the first three months of pregnancy.
If you experience possible symptoms of a miscarriage, it’s helpful if you have an estimate of how far along you are in your pregnancy. It’s not always possible to know exactly, of course, especially if you haven’t seen a doctor yet, but if you know are you in your first trimester, that’s helpful information for your doctor. Your gestation can also inform treatment if a miscarriage does occur.
Dr. Stein adds that losses are less likely to happen after 20 weeks.
How to Know If You're Having a Miscarriage: Signs and Symptoms
Some miscarriages can be “missed,” meaning there is no clear sign or symptom of the loss. It’s important to understand that a miscarriage is never you fault and it can happen to anyone — miscarriages are most often caused by a chromosomal abnormality in the developing embryo that makes it incompatible with life.
That means that even if there had been a clear “sign” of the impending loss, there was nothing you could do to stop or prevent it.
Other times, there are symptoms of a miscarriage.
Some pregnant people may experience more clear miscarriage signs, such as:
Bleeding
Bleeding is the most common symptom of a miscarriage. However, bleeding, especially during early pregnancy does not always mean that you are having a miscarriage. In fact, as many as 25% of all pregnancies have bleeding in the first trimester.
That being said, any bleeding during pregnancy needs to be checked by a doctor. If you notice bleeding at any point during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor to determine the cause. Bleeding can look like spotting, a small amount of blood when you wipe, or heavier and mixed with fluid, discharge, or tissue.
Cramping
Cramping is also a common symptom of a miscarriage, but again, cramping can also happen with healthy pregnancies, too.
Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you have cramping with any bleeding during your pregnancy. Also seek help if the pain is severe and accompanied by other symptoms, like dizziness or shoulder pain, as this could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
A Decrease in Fetal Movements
A decrease in fetal movements is not a common sign of a first-trimester loss, but it could signify an issue later on in your pregnancy. Talk to your pregnancy care provider about the best way to track fetal movements and when and how to contact them if you notice a decrease.
Decrease in Pregnancy Symptoms
This is not a common first-trimester miscarriage symptom. But for some types of miscarriages, such as a missed miscarriage that is not picked up, you may notice a decrease in pregnancy symptoms after some time.
However, a decrease in certain symptoms, like morning sickness and breast tenderness, is also common after the first 12 to 15 weeks of pregnancy, so this is usually not a reliable indication that a miscarriage has occurred. Always talk to your doctor if you’re concerned, though.
When To Call a Doctor for a Miscarriage
Here’s the bottom line about when to call a doctor for anything concerning pregnancy: If you’re worried, don’t hesitate to call.
As a former OB nurse, I promise you it’s not bugging the medical staff who are caring for you. They want you to call and it’s quite literally their job to take care of you and your pregnancy. Whenever you have a question or concern, call or go in so medical staff can check you.
Unfortunately, there is not always a clear route to answering how to know if you’re having a miscarriage, and for some people who have had prior losses, the anxiety of a pregnancy after a loss is almost too much to bear. (I’ve been there, I know.) So even if you think it’s “silly,” and even if nothing is wrong, I promise it’s OK to reach out and ask.
Anytime you experience bleeding during your pregnancy, call your doctor. It’s important to find out what is causing the bleeding.
It’s also extremely important you get assessed for a miscarriage because some miscarriages could be an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. If the egg implants in the fallopian tube or ovary, it can be life-threatening.
Call your doctor and seek emergency medication attention if you are pregnant and experience:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
