Know the Signs of Early Miscarriage

Miscarriages are incredibly common — as many as 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, most in the early weeks of pregnancy. But just because they’re not uncommon, that doesn’t mean they don’t require prompt, appropriate medical care. 

Miscarriages require medical treatment to ensure you’re healthy. Knowing the early signs of miscarriage helps you get that treatment early and take steps to avoid a miscarriage in the future potentially. 

At Desert Star Family Planning, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, helps patients in Phoenix, Arizona, recover following a miscarriage, so they can avoid complications and restore their health. In this post, she reviews some common early signs of miscarriage to help her patients get care quickly.

Quick facts about miscarriage

Miscarriage is defined as a pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation, with most miscarriages occurring within the first trimester (12 weeks). While as many as 20% of “known” pregnancies end in miscarriage, many happen before a woman knows she’s pregnant.

Miscarriage can happen for different reasons, but in many cases, chromosome abnormalities in the developing fetus are the cause. It’s important to note that regular activities like working, sexual intercourse, or exercise do not cause miscarriage.

Although most women go on to have normal, healthy pregnancies following a miscarriage, if you’ve had more than two miscarriages, your risk of having another increase. It’s always a good idea to talk to Dr. Taylor about medical testing before trying to get pregnant again.

Women with high-risk pregnancies can also be at greater risk of having a miscarriage. Diabetes, substance abuse, and high blood pressure are all factors that can cause a high-risk pregnancy. Traumatic injuries involving the back, belly, or pelvis can also result in a miscarriage.

Signs of early miscarriage

In the very early days of pregnancy, a miscarriage often presents as a very heavy period. Later on, you might have symptoms like:

• Vaginal spotting
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Back pain
• Belly cramps (like menstrual cramps)
• Passing tissue from your vaginal
• Vaginal odor
• Fever (as a sign of a possible infection)

These symptoms can occur singly, or you may have more than one symptom — for instance, belly cramps and bleeding.

You should also know that while these signs are associated with miscarriage, some symptoms, like light bleeding or mild cramps, can occur even without a miscarriage. However, because they can indicate a problem with the pregnancy, you should still call the office right away so Dr. Taylor can evaluate you.

Comprehensive care for optimal wellness

As a leading obstetrician and gynecologist in Phoenix, Dr. Taylor is skilled in helping women recover following a miscarriage. So if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, call 480-447-8857 or book an appointment online with Dr. Taylor and the Desert Star Family Planning team immediately.