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Miscarriage
- Dedicated early pregnancy service
- Comprehensive testing and treatment options
- Get pre- and post-miscarriage counselling and support
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MISCARRIAGE AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
While early pregnancy loss is common, with 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies sadly ending this way, we know that doesn’t make it any easier when it happens to you.
Our specialists are here to support you at every stage with the tough physical and emotional affects you may experience.
From fast access to consultants to same-day scans and one key point of contact for you and your family, we ‘re here for you. If you’ve had recurrent miscarriages, our expert multi-disciplinary teams can help investigate why, and our holistic support and counselling services are always available.
Our specialists are here to support you at every stage with the tough physical and emotional affects you may experience.
From fast access to consultants to same-day scans and one key point of contact for you and your family, we ‘re here for you. If you’ve had recurrent miscarriages, our expert multi-disciplinary teams can help investigate why, and our holistic support and counselling services are always available.
A miscarriage is when you lose a baby, any time between conception and 24 weeks of gestation. It's more common in the first 12-14 weeks (first trimester) of pregnancy, but three or four in 100 pregnancies end later, in the second trimester (weeks 14-28).
If a pregnancy ends after the 24th week, it’s classed as a stillbirth. Some women can experience a very early miscarriage without knowing they were pregnant, called a chemical pregnancy.
Any pregnancy loss can be devastating, but it might help you to know that most women can go on to have a healthy pregnancy, even after one or more miscarriages.
If a pregnancy ends after the 24th week, it’s classed as a stillbirth. Some women can experience a very early miscarriage without knowing they were pregnant, called a chemical pregnancy.
Any pregnancy loss can be devastating, but it might help you to know that most women can go on to have a healthy pregnancy, even after one or more miscarriages.
Vaginal bleeding is the main symptom of a miscarriage. You may notice a brown discharge or light spotting, or you may experience heavy bleeding. Light bleeding can also happen naturally during the first few weeks of pregnancy, so it's important to know that this symptom doesn’t always indicate a miscarriage.
Other miscarriage symptoms might include:
- Pain and cramping in your lower abdomen
- Loss of fluid or tissue from your vagina
A miscarriage can have a huge emotional impact and physically affect you in different ways. It can make pregnancy symptoms disappear, so your breasts don’t feel sore, you stop feeling sick or you just don't feel pregnant anymore. Raised hormone levels may also mean that your pregnancy symptoms continue. It’s different for everyone.
If you’re worried that you’re experiencing a miscarriage, call us today and our expert team can help.
It’s not always clear what causes a miscarriage, but it’s important to know that it isn’t your fault. It’s thought that abnormal chromosomes in your developing baby can be a cause, which means your baby either has too many or not enough chromosomes and doesn’t develop as it should.
Sometimes, a miscarriage can also be caused by:
- A weakened cervix
- Issues with your womb lining
- Issues with your placenta
- An infection
We understand that recurrent miscarriages can be emotionally devastating. If you’ve experienced multiple miscarriages, even if you've had a healthy pregnancy in between, tests and investigations might help determine if there’s a specific cause and offer you some clarity and reassurance.
Some causes might include:
- Abnormal chromosomes
- Hormone imbalances such as thyroid disorders or diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Blood clotting disorders such as Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Cervical weakness
- An unusually shaped womb
If your results do indicate an underlying condition, there are treatments available to help try and prevent further miscarriages. Our recurrent miscarriage and early pregnancy loss specialists can offer the care and support you need.
Next day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours
Specialist care
Talk to women’s health GPs and consultants
Dedicated facilities
Spaces specifically designed for women
Worried about miscarriage symptoms?
See a specialist and get an expert diagnosis
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a consultant and get the reassurance you need.
MISCARRIAGE TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Accurate diagnosis and sensitive care
Miscarriage is usually confirmed with an ultrasound scan performed by a sonographer or doctor, specifically trained in early pregnancy care. They need to be certain that the pregnancy has failed, so sometimes a repeat scan may needed after at least a week. While that can be upsetting, it helps to ensure there’s no chance of interrupting an ongoing pregnancy.
You'll be cared for at our specialist early pregnancy centre at The Portland Hospital. Your consultant will carry out tests including:
Should the results confirm a miscarriage, you'll be offered the most appropriate treatment and support for you. If you've experienced recurrent miscarriages, we can carry out thorough investigations and recommend the treatment that can give you the best chance of having a future healthy pregnancy.
MISCARRIAGE TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Compassionate and expert care
Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop a miscarriage once it’s started. If you're in the early stages of a miscarriage and it's progressing naturally, you may not need any treatment.
If there are complications, your consultant might recommend treatment options such as:
- Medical management
- Surgical management
That might involve taking medication, or surgery if a miscarriage doesn't occur naturally. It can be difficult to make decisions at a time like this, so we'll make sure you have the time and space to talk about any concerns. Your consultant will talk you through all your options, and we’ll provide the emotional support you need.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Miscarriage FAQs
Sadly, there are a number of different ways a pregnancy can end early.
- Complete miscarriage - when a miscarriage leaves no tissue from the pregnancy in your womb
- Incomplete miscarriage - when tissue from the pregnancy remains in your womb
- Missed miscarriage - when you don’t experience any miscarriage symptoms, but an ultrasound scan confirms that your pregnancy has failed
- Inevitable miscarriage - when the neck of your womb or cervix has started to open or dilate, which sadly means the pregnancy will miscarry
Threatened miscarriage is when there’s bleeding in pregnancy, but a miscarriage doesn’t necessarily happen. An ultrasound scan can confirm whether your baby has been lost.
Most women who experience a miscarriage can go on to have a healthy pregnancy. It’s important to remember that most miscarriages are isolated events with no known cause, so the chances are that you can get pregnant after suffering a loss.
Before trying to conceive again, you might be advised to wait until you have had a negative pregnancy test.
Whenever you try again, make sure you feel ready, both emotionally and physically. Our dedicated early pregnancy loss counselling services can help you to process your feelings around your miscarriage.
Most miscarriages don’t cause any long-term problems, but complications can occur in some cases.
Psychological distress: The impact of an early pregnancy loss should not be underestimated. Around one in five women who experience a miscarriage develop symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. These symptoms can persist for several years and affect future pregnancies.
With HCA UK, you’ll have access to a range of counselling services to help you recover, including pre-conceptual counselling for pregnancy after miscarriage.
Find out more here.
Infection: This can happen before or after a miscarriage, and, in some cases, while the miscarriage is being managed. You’ll be monitored for any signs of infection and treated promptly should any be found.
Bleeding: In some cases, retained pregnancy tissue in the womb can cause ongoing vaginal bleeding and discomfort. A procedure can be performed to treat and remove it.
Complications of surgical management: If surgery is needed, there’s a small risk that it may create a hole in your womb, or a tear in your cervix. In some cases, the procedure may also lead to scar tissue forming inside the womb, which could affect future fertility.
Please be reassured that your surgical specialist will know what to look out for to help minimise the chances of complications.
“While miscarriage is a common experience, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it can be a traumatic and devastating time. We're here for you, not just while you’re undergoing tests or treatment, but in the days and weeks following a miscarriage.”
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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.