Miscarriage

What is miscarriage?

Miscarriage (also called early pregnancy loss) is when there is pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. For women who know they’re pregnant, about 10 to 20 in 100 pregnancies (10 to 20 percent) end in miscarriage. Most miscarriages - 8 out of 10 (80 percent) - happen in the first trimester before the 12^th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks is called stillbirth.

Miscarriage is very common. Some research suggests that more than 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and many end before a person even knows they’re pregnant. Most people who miscarry go on to have a healthy pregnancy later.

What is a threatened miscarriage?

This is when a pregnant person has bleeding, little or no pain, a closed (undilated) cervix and the baby may have a heartbeat. The cervix is the opening to the uterus that sits at the top of the vagina. Most of the time, threatened miscarriages turn out fine.

What is an incomplete miscarriage?

This is when a miscarriage has happened, but the body doesn’t push out all of the tissue from pregnancy. You may have bleeding, cramping and other signs and symptoms of miscarriage.

What is a complete miscarriage?

This is when your body pushes out all of the tissue from the pregnancy. You may pass tissue suddenly or after having medical treatment.

What is an asymptomatic miscarriage?

This is when you have a miscarriage but don’t have bleeding or cramping and you don’t pass any tissue out of your body.  It is sometimes called an empty sac pregnancy.  You may need a procedure to empty the uterus or the cervix may dilate on its own and the tissue will be passed like a period.

What are repeat miscarriages?

Repeat miscarriages, or recurrent pregnancy loss, is the loss of two pregnancies in a row. About 1 in 100 pregnant people (1 percent) have repeat miscarriages. The risk of having a second miscarriage is 20 in 100 (20 percent). After two miscarriages in a row, the risk of another miscarriage increases to about 28 in 100 (28 percent). And after three or more miscarriages in a row, the risk of having another miscarriage is about 43 in 100 (43 percent).

What causes miscarriage and repeat miscarriages?

We don’t know what causes every miscarriage. But some miscarriages and repeat miscarriages can be caused by:

Problems with chromosomes

Up to 7 in 10 (70 percent) of all miscarriages are caused when an embryo (fertilized egg) gets the wrong number of chromosomes. This usually happens by chance and is not caused by a problem that’s passed from parent to child through genes. Chromosomes are the structures in cells that holds genes. Each person has 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 in all. For each pair, you get one chromosome from your mother and one from your father. Miscarriages that happen in the first 3 months of pregnancy are often caused by chromosomal problems.  Examples include::

• Blighted ovum. This is when an embryo implants in the body but doesn’t develop into a baby. If you have a blighted ovum, you may have dark-brown bleeding early in pregnancy.
• Intrauterine fetal demise. This is when an embryo stops developing and dies.
• Molar pregnancy. This is when tissue in the uterus forms into a grape-like structure or tumor at the beginning of pregnancy.   
• Translocation. This is when part of a chromosome moves to another chromosome. Translocation causes a small number of repeat miscarriages.
• Other chromosome issues, such as anencephaly (a type of neural tube defect), trisomies (a problem that can cause conditions such as Down syndrome), renal agenesis (a type of kidney defect) or hydrops (a type of thalassemia)

Problems with the uterus or cervix.

Problems with the uterus and cervix that can cause miscarriage after 12 weeks but before 20 weeks include:

• Septate uterus. This is when a band of muscle or tissue (called a septum) divides the uterus in two sections. If you have a septate uterus, your provider may recommend surgery before you try to get pregnant to repair the uterus to help reduce your risk of miscarriage. Septate uterus is the most common kind of congenital uterine abnormality. Septate uterus is a common cause of repeat miscarriages.
• Asherman syndrome. If you have this condition, you have scars or scar tissue in the uterus that can damage the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Before you get pregnant, your provider may use a procedure called hysteroscopy to find and remove scar tissue. Asherman syndrome may often cause repeat miscarriages that happen before you know you’re pregnant.
• Fibroids and polyps or scars from surgery on the uterus. Fibroids, polyps and scars can limit space for your baby or interfere with your baby’s blood supply. Before you try to get pregnant, you may need a surgery called myomectomy to remove them.
• Cervical insufficiency (also called incompetent cervix). This is when your cervix opens (dilates) too early during pregnancy, usually without pain or contractions. To help prevent this, your provider may recommend cerclage. This is a stitch your provider puts in your cervix to help keep it closed.

Infections

Infections can cause miscarriage.  Common infections include:

• Parvovirus B19. Parvovirus causes fifth disease, a common childhood illness.
• Cytomegalovirus
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  STIs, such as genital herpes and syphilis, are infections you can get from having sex with someone who is infected. If you think you may have an STI, tell your health care provider right away. Early testing and treatment can help protect you and your baby. 
• Listeriosis.  Listeriosis is a kind of food poisoning. If you think you have listeriosis, call your provider right away. Your provider may treat you with antibiotics to help keep you and your baby safe.

Other possible causes of miscarriage include:

• Abnormal blood clots
• Placental abruption
• Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). PROM is when the amniotic sac around your baby breaks (your water breaks) before labor starts.
• Preterm labor

Are you at risk for a miscarriage?

Some things may make you more likely than other pregnant people to have a miscarriage. These are called risk factors. Risk factors for miscarriage include:

• Having two or more previous miscarriages
• Being 35 or older. As you get older, your risk of having a miscarriage increases. The age of your partner also may increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol or using street drugs. Street drugs include cocaine and methamphetamines. If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant and need help to quit, tell your provider.  
• Being exposed to harmful chemicals. You or your partner having contact with harmful chemicals, like solvents, may increase your risk of miscarriage. A solvent is a chemical that dissolves other substances, like some detergent mixtures and paint thinner. Exposure to lead, arsenic, radiation or air pollution can also be harmful. Talk with your provider about what you can do to protect yourself and your baby.

Some health conditions may increase your risk for miscarriage. Treatment of these conditions before and during pregnancy can sometimes help prevent miscarriage and repeat miscarriages. If you have any of these health conditions, tell your health care provider before you get pregnant or as soon as you know you’re pregnant: 

• Autoimmune disorders. These health conditions happen when the body attacks its own healthy tissue by mistake. Autoimmune disorders that may increase your risk of miscarriage include antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE). If you have antiphospholipid syndrome, your body makes antibodies that attack certain fats that line the blood vessels; this can sometimes cause blood clots. If you have antiphospholipid syndrome and have had repeat miscarriages, your provider may give you low-dose aspirin and a medicine called heparin during pregnancy and for a few weeks after you give birth to help prevent another miscarriage.
• Obesity. This means your body mass index (also called BMI) is 30 or higher. BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. To find out your BMI, go to cdc.gov/bmi.
• Hormone problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (also called PCOS) and luteal phase defect. Hormones are chemicals made by the body. Progesterone is a hormone that helps regulate your periods and gets your body ready for pregnancy. Luteal phase defect is when you have low levels of progesterone over several menstrual cycles. If you have luteal phase defect, your provider may recommend treatment with progesterone before and during pregnancy to help prevent repeat miscarriages.
• Preexisting diabetes 
• Preexisting hypertension
• Thyroid problems
• Severe kidney disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Severe malnutrition. This means not getting enough food or nutrients before getting pregnant.
• Group B beta strep infection
• Certain prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. These tests have a slight risk of causing a miscarriage. Your provider may recommend them if your baby is at risk for certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome.

Having an injury to your belly, like from falling down or getting hit, isn’t a high risk for miscarriage. Your body does a good job of protecting your baby in the early weeks of pregnancy.

Having an injury to your belly, such as from falling or getting hit or a motor vehicle accident, may be a risk for miscarriage depending on the force of the injury or fall. Your body usually does a good job of protecting your baby in the early weeks of pregnancy. If this happens contact your provider to make sure you and your baby are not injured.

Other factors that may increase your risk of miscarriage include:

• Certain medications. Some studies show that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (also called NSAIDS) including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac may increase risk. NSAIDs are a type of medicine used to relieve pain and swelling. The acne medicine isotretinoin has also been linked to miscarriage and fetal abnormalities.
• Getting pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are devices placed in your body to prevent pregnancy. In rare cases, people can get pregnant while using an IUD.
• Stress. Both short, intense times of stress and long-term stress can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Socioeconomic status and other social determinants of health. Racial, ethnic or financial inequalities, being at risk for violence, being homeless or not having enough food can negatively affect your health. These factors increase your risk of developing other serious and chronic health conditions that can increase your chances of miscarriage.

You may have heard that getting too much caffeine during pregnancy can increase your risk for miscarriage. Caffeine is a drug found in foods, drinks, chocolate and some medicine. It’s a stimulant, which means it can help keep you awake. More research is needed to understand the effect of caffeine on pregnancy. Until we know more about how caffeine can affect pregnancy, it’s best to limit the amount you get to 200 milligrams each day. This is what’s in about one 12-ounce cup of coffee.

You also may have heard that having sex or exercising while pregnant can cause a miscarriage. There is no proof that this is true.

How can you prevent a miscarriage?

Miscarriages usually can’t be prevented, but being healthy before pregnancy can help prevent pregnancy complications. Good pre-pregnancy health includes getting a pre-pregnancy checkup and talking with your provider about health conditions that can affect your pregnancy. It also includes taking folic acid to help prevent birth defects and making changes in your life that may affect the health of your baby.

What are the signs and symptoms of miscarriage?

Signs and symptoms of miscarriage include:

• Bleeding from the vagina or spotting. Many people experience spotting early in their pregnancy. In most cases, it is not a sign of miscarriage. To be safe, if you have spotting or any of these signs or symptoms, call your provider.
• Cramps, like the ones you have with your period
• Severe belly pain
• No longer “feeling pregnant,” such as no longer feeling the baby move, feeling nauseated or no longer having breast tenderness
• Back pain
• Vaginal discharge with a bad smell
• Fever

Miscarriages can be dangerous if they’re not treated. Your provider may want to do some tests to make sure everything’s OK. These tests can include blood tests, a pelvic exam and an ultrasound.

Many pregnant people have these signs and symptoms in early pregnancy and don’t have a miscarriage.

What treatment do you get after a miscarriage or repeat miscarriages?

Treatment depends on how far along you were in your pregnancy, your overall health, your age and other factors. If you’ve had a miscarriage, your provider may recommend:

1. Dilation and curettage (also called D&C). This is a procedure to remove any remaining tissue from the uterus. Your provider dilates (widens) your cervix and removes the tissue using an instrument called a curette.
2. Dilation and extraction (also called D&E). This is a procedure to remove any remaining tissue from the uterus. Your provider dilates (widens) your cervix and removes the tissue using suction.
3. Medicine. Your provider may recommend medicine that can help your body pass tissue that’s still in the uterus. If your blood type is Rh negative, you also may get a shot of Rh immunoglobulin after any miscarriage or bleeding episode in pregnancy. This can help prevent problems with future pregnancies. Rh immunoglobulin is a medicine that stops a person who is Rh negative from reacting to Rh-positive blood.

Do you need any medical tests after a miscarriage or repeat miscarriages?

If you miscarry in your first trimester, you probably don’t need any medical tests. Because we don’t often know what causes a miscarriage in the first trimester, tests may not be helpful in trying to find out a cause.

If you have repeat miscarriages in the first trimester, or if you have a miscarriage in the second trimester, your provider usually recommends tests to help find out the cause. Tests can include:

• Chromosome tests. You and your partner can have blood tests, like karyotyping, to check for chromosome problems. Karyotyping can count how many chromosomes there are and check to see if any chromosomes have changed. If tissue from the miscarriage is available, your provider can test it for chromosomal conditions.
• Hormone tests. You may have your blood tested to check for hormone problems. You may also have a procedure called endometrial biopsy that removes a small piece of the lining of the uterus to check for timing in the cycle and hormones.
• Blood tests to check your immune system. Your provider may test you for autoimmune disorders like, APS and lupus.
• Looking at the uterus. You may have an ultrasound, a hysteroscopy (when your provider inserts a special scope through the cervix to see your uterus) or a hysterosalpingography (an X-ray of the uterus) or other test.

How long does it take to recover from a miscarriage?

It can take a few weeks to a month or more for your body to recover from a miscarriage. Depending on how long you were pregnant, you may have pregnancy hormones in your blood for 1 to 2 months after you miscarry. Most women get their period again 4 to 6 weeks after a miscarriage. Talk to your provider about how to care for yourself during this time.

It may take longer to recover emotionally from a miscarriage. You may have strong feelings of grief about the death of your baby. Grief can make you feel sad, angry, confused or alone. It’s OK to take time to grieve after a miscarriage. Ask your friends and family for support, and find special ways to remember your baby. For example, if you already have baby things, like clothes and blankets, you may want to keep them in a special place. Do what’s right for you. Ask your provider about support groups or services that can help you to with recovery from grief.

Certain things, such as hearing names you were thinking of for your baby or seeing other babies, can be painful reminders of your loss. You may need help learning how to deal with these situations and the feelings they create. A support group can help. Tell your provider if you need help to deal with your grief.

If you miscarry, when can you try to get pregnant again?

This is a decision for you to make with your partner and your provider. It’s probably OK to get pregnant again after you’ve had at least one normal period. Some studies show that trying to get pregnant again soon after a miscarriage can increase your chances of conceiving. Be sure to take a vitamin supplement that has 400mcg of folic acid even if you don’t get pregnant right away. If you’re having medical tests to try to find out more about why you miscarried, you may need to wait until after you’ve had these tests to try to get pregnant again.

You may not be emotionally ready to try again so soon. Miscarriage can be hard to handle, and you may need time to grieve. It’s OK if you want to wait a while before trying to get pregnant again.

More information

From Hurt to Healing (free booklet from the March of Dimes for grieving parents)

Centering Corporation (grief information and resources)

Compassionate Friends (resources for families after the death of a child)

Journey Program of Seattle Children’s Hospital (resources for families after the death of a child)

Lupus Research Alliance: Pregnancy and family planning

Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support (resources for families with pregnancy or infant loss)

Last reviewed: February 2023