Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks. About 1 in 5 pregnancies end this way, and the real figure might be higher because many miscarriages are never recorded.

For many people who lose a pregnancy or a baby, the word "miscarriage" doesn't properly express what the loss means to them.

Miscarriage doesn't look the same for everyone. Some people have very clear symptoms, and others have none at all.

The signs can also differ if the miscarriage happens early or late in pregnancy.

You're pregnant and you:

• have sharp, sudden and intense stomach pains
• feel very dizzy or faint
• feel very sick
• look very pale
• have vaginal bleeding or spotting, commonly after the pain has started
• have pain in your shoulder tip
• have diarrhoea and are vomiting

• you're bleeding from your vagina
• you've got strong, cramping pain
• your waters break
• you have started to feel your baby move (usually this is from about 16 to 24 weeks) and the movements have slowed down or stopped

Before 12 weeks, contact your doctor or your local early pregnancy unit. If your doctor's chamber is closed, phone a doctor or the 16263 health line.

At 12 weeks or after, contact your local maternity service.

An early miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that happens in the first 12 weeks. Most women who miscarry lose the pregnancy in this period.

Many women have a miscarriage before they even know they're pregnant. When this happens, it can feel like a late period with heavy bleeding.

A late miscarriage is a miscarriage that happens after 12 weeks and before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Most of the time, there's no clear reason why a miscarriage happens. It's unlikely to have been caused by anything you did or didn't do.

If you're having a miscarriage, your doctor, nurse or midwife will:

• talk to you about what will happen next
• help you, and your partner if you have one, decide what you'd like to do

You may have difficult decisions to make at this time, and your emotions may feel overwhelming. Take your time. Your doctor, nurse or midwife can help. There are also organisations that can support you and your family.

Depending on your circumstances and how far along the pregnancy was, you may be able to see or hold your baby. The doctor, nurse or midwife treating you will talk this through with you.

Some parents decide they don't want to see their baby. Others choose not to for faith or cultural reasons. Only you can make this decision, and it can be very hard when you're feeling overwhelmed. Whatever you decide is okay.

If you're worried about what your baby looks like, your doctor or midwife can describe your baby to you, which may help you decide.

After a miscarriage, you will probably have some bleeding for a week or two. Some people go on having other symptoms as well as the bleeding. This can mean that some of the pregnancy tissue is still in your uterus (womb), and you may need medicine or a short operation to treat it.

If you're worried about going for treatment, ask a family member or friend to come with you. Having support matters at this difficult time.

After a miscarriage, most women go on to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Sadly, some have miscarriages again and again.

If you've had 1 or 2 miscarriages, you're no more likely than anyone else to have another. But if you've had 3 or more, you may want to speak to your doctor, nurse or midwife for further advice.