If you’ve heard the term miscarriage, you probably know that it means the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks’ gestation. Miscarriage is something that no one wants to think about during early pregnancy, but 10-20% of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Being able to recognize miscarriage symptoms and knowing what to do next can help you be more prepared in case one happens. Show
Miscarriage symptomsA miscarriage can happen suddenly or gradually, which means that you may not notice any particularly early symptoms of a miscarriage. But no matter how fast it happens, key symptoms include:
Every miscarriage is different. The heaviest bleeding and cramps may be over within a few hours, but bleeding could continue off and on for as long as three weeks. And although most people experience cramps, a miscarriage isn’t always painful. Both vaginal spotting and mild cramps are common during early pregnancy, so it’s possible to have a miscarriage and not know it. This is why you should call your care provider if you experience any of the above symptoms once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy. When do miscarriages happen?Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester, which is the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re not tracking your menstrual cycle or fertility, it’s possible to mistake an early miscarriage for a period. And although miscarriages can still happen after the first trimester, the chances drop significantly – to around 3-4%. It’s also possible to have a pregnancy loss after 20 weeks, but this is referred to as a stillbirth. It’s treated differently and is much less common than a miscarriage. Will a pregnancy test be negative after a miscarriage?It takes time for your hormones to return to their pre-pregnancy levels after a miscarriage. The amount of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may still be high enough to trigger a positive result on a pregnancy test for several weeks after a miscarriage. What causes miscarriages?One of the most important things to know about miscarriages is that they’re often caused by things that you have no control over, including:
In addition to the above, there are other factors that can increase your risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. These risk factors include:
What does NOT cause a miscarriagePhysical activity and sex have not been linked to miscarriage. But if you’re ever unsure about whether something is safe to do during your pregnancy, talk to your care provider. Some studies have shown that stress or high caffeine intake during pregnancy may increase miscarriage risk. More research is needed, but it’s recommended that you try to manage your stress as best you can, and keep your daily caffeine intake below 200 milligrams. What to do if you have a miscarriageAgain, if you notice potential symptoms of a miscarriage, call your care provider. They will want to confirm the miscarriage and make sure that you aren’t at risk for heavy blood loss or infection. This is usually done with a pelvic exam and an ultrasound. Miscarriages frequently resolve on their own without any need for treatment. It may take a few days to pass all of the tissue, and you may have moderate bleeding that lightens over the course of a couple weeks. Seek immediate medical treatment if you have heavy bleeding that does not lighten, fever, weakness or other signs of infection. Medical treatment for a miscarriageThere’s no treatment that can stop a miscarriage. Instead, miscarriage treatment focuses on preventing excessive blood loss and infection, which can happen if the uterus isn’t completely cleared of tissue. Once a miscarriage has been confirmed, options for treatment may include:
Tips for recovering from a miscarriage
Can you avoid a miscarriage?After a miscarriage, it’s normal to wonder if you could have done anything differently. Remember, a miscarriage is rarely anyone’s fault, and there’s no sure way to prevent one from happening. That said, there are a few healthy lifestyle choices you can make to minimize your risk:
Keep your risk lowIf you aren’t pregnant yet, one of the best things you can do to minimize your risk of miscarriage and other complications is to make a preconception appointment. This is an opportunity for your care provider to review your medical and lifestyle histories, and make recommendations that can give your pregnancy the healthiest possible start. And if you’re already pregnant, stick to your prenatal appointment schedule. Your prenatal appointments ensure that you and your little one are getting all the care you need. Plus, these appointments give your care team the chance to catch signs and symptoms of complications before they affect your pregnancy. Make a preconception appointment or a prenatal appointment. Can you get a positive pregnancy test 2 weeks after miscarriage?It takes time for your hormones to return to their pre-pregnancy levels after a miscarriage. The amount of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may still be high enough to trigger a positive result on a pregnancy test for several weeks after a miscarriage.
How long will a pregnancy test read positive after a miscarriage?It typically takes from one to nine weeks for hCG levels to return to zero following a miscarriage (or delivery). 1 Once levels zero out, this indicates that the body has readjusted to its pre-pregnancy state—and is likely primed for conception to occur again.
What happens if you get pregnant 2 weeks after a miscarriage?You can ovulate and become pregnant as soon as two weeks after a miscarriage. Once you feel emotionally and physically ready for pregnancy after miscarriage, ask your health care provider for guidance. After one miscarriage, there might be no need to wait to conceive.
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