Signs of a Miscarriage

Pregnancy is a beautiful and amazing thing. All the changes a woman’s body goes through, both physically and physiologically, to grow a human life are simply astounding. But along with all the wonderful things, pregnancy can also bring some challenges. Women can experience morning sickness, high blood pressure, limited activity, aches and pains, and unfortunately, miscarriage.

A pregnancy that ends by natural causes within the first 20 weeks is deemed a miscarriage. Miscarriages are more common than expected, with 10–20% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage. The actual number is likely higher, as many miscarriages happen early on, potentially before a woman knows she is pregnant.

The majority of miscarriages happen because the baby is not developing as it should. In some cases, miscarriages are the result of uncontrolled diabetes, infections, hormonal problems, thyroid disease, or uterine or cervical issues. There are also risk factors that can increase the chance of miscarriage, including women over 35, previous miscarriages, chronic conditions, uterine or cervical problems, smoking, alcohol and drug use, weight issues, and invasive prenatal tests.

One of the main signs or symptoms of a miscarriage is bleeding. It may start as light spotting, or it could be heavier and appear as a gush of blood. Heavy bleeding is usually over within three to five hours of starting, while light bleeding can stop and start for one to two weeks before it ends. The color of blood can range from pink to red to brown. Be sure to contact your doctor if you fill more than two pads an hour for two or more hours. Other signs and symptoms include mild to severe back pain, weight loss, white-pink mucus discharge, true contractions, tissue with clot-like material passing from the vagina, and a sudden decrease in signs of pregnancy. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to reach out to your healthcare provider.

A miscarriage is a traumatic event, both mentally and physically. It can be difficult to process and cope with. You may feel alone or blame yourself for what happened and withdraw from others. But you are not alone. The staff at Options United is there to help you through this difficult time. They are available to pray with you, offer support, and provide guidance on how to navigate this challenging season of your life. They can also connect you with a counselor or therapist to help you heal from this experience. Going through a miscarriage is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.