Embarazo

Miscarriage

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Losing a pregnancy can be very hard. Here are the signs of miscarriage, when to get help, what happens next and where to find support.

What miscarriage is

A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends on its own in roughly the first half of pregnancy. Depending on the country, doctors use the word for a loss before 20 or 24 weeks. Miscarriage is common. About 10 to 20 in every 100 known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the true number is higher, because many happen before a person knows they are pregnant. Most happen in the first 3 months. Losing a pregnancy at any stage can be painful and upsetting, and whatever you feel is valid.

Why it happens

Most miscarriages happen because the pregnancy is not developing properly. This is often linked to a genetic problem, such as an extra or missing chromosome. The chance is higher from age 35, when the baby's father is 45 or over, and with some long-term health conditions, such as diabetes that is not well controlled. A miscarriage is usually not caused by anything you did. Most of the time it happens by chance and is no one's fault. Everyday things such as exercise, sex, normal work or an argument do not cause it.

Signs to look out for

The main sign is bleeding from the vagina, from light spotting to heavier bleeding. You may also have cramps or pain in your lower tummy or lower back, or notice fluid or tissue coming from your vagina. Bleeding or pain does not always mean a miscarriage. Still, contact a doctor, nurse or midwife straight away if you have any bleeding, fluid leaking from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you.

When to get emergency help

If you are pregnant or could be, call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department if you have sudden, sharp and very bad tummy pain, pain in the tip of your shoulder, or heavy bleeding that soaks a pad soon after you put it on. Do the same if you have pain or bleeding and also feel very dizzy, faint or sick, or look very pale. These signs can also point to an ectopic pregnancy, which needs urgent treatment.

What happens next

A doctor may use blood or urine tests and an internal ultrasound scan to see what is happening. If an early miscarriage is confirmed, there are usually three options. You can wait for the pregnancy to pass on its own, which usually takes about 2 weeks, but can take longer. You can take medicine to help it pass. Or you can have a short procedure, where a thin tube is passed through the vagina into the womb to remove the pregnancy tissue.

Support and the future

Grief after a miscarriage is normal, whatever the stage of pregnancy. Support is available, and counselling may help you cope. After a miscarriage, many people later have a healthy pregnancy. If you decide to try again, a doctor can talk you through any risks. If you have had 3 or more miscarriages, ask a doctor about tests to look for a cause.

This is general information. If you have bleeding or pain in pregnancy, contact a doctor, nurse or midwife. If pain is severe, get emergency help.