The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Miscarriage
EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS
Miscarriage refers to the premature end of a pregnancy, and 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies end this way
About
Miscarriage can occur during the first or second trimester of pregnancy, before 20 weeks. Most occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and are unexplained and isolated events. Your consultant will discuss with you the best management plan to suit your situation. Please be assured support is available for your psychological and spiritual wellbeing.
Need to know
Symptoms may include:
- Vaginal bleeding. This may come and go over several days, be light or a heavy discharge. The blood may be brownish or bright red in colour.
- Cramping and pain in your lower abdomen
- Sickness and breast tenderness (typical pregnancy symptoms) stopping
Your consultant will carry out tests to confirm whether you are having a miscarriage. Tests will also confirm if there's any pregnancy tissue left in your womb or not. They include:
- Transvaginal ultrasound. This checks the development of your baby and looks for a heartbeat. It involves inserting a small probe into your vagina.
- A blood test to monitor hormone levels associated with pregnancy
If there's no pregnancy tissue left in your womb no treatment is necessary. However, if some tissue is left over your treatment options are:
- Wait for the tissue to pass naturally out of your womb
- Take medication that induces the tissue to pass out of your womb
- Have the tissue surgically removed
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.