Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Pregnancy Related Conditions
  • Miscarriage
Content

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. (Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths.)

A miscarriage may also be called a "spontaneous abortion." This refers to naturally occurring events, not to medical abortions or surgical abortions.

Other terms for the early loss of pregnancy include:

  • Complete abortion: All of the products (tissue) of conception leave the body.
  • Incomplete abortion: Only some of the products of conception leave the body.
  • Inevitable abortion: Symptoms cannot be stopped and a miscarriage will happen.
  • Infected (septic) abortion: The lining of the womb (uterus) and any remaining products of conception become infected.
  • Missed abortion: The pregnancy is lost and the products of conception do not leave the body.

Your health care provider may also use the term "threatened miscarriage." The symptoms of this condition are abdominal cramps with or without vaginal bleeding. They are a sign that a miscarriage may occur.

Alternative Names

Abortion - spontaneous; Spontaneous abortion; Abortion - missed; Abortion - incomplete; Abortion - complete; Abortion - inevitable; Abortion - infected; Missed abortion; Incomplete abortion; Complete abortion; Inevitable abortion; Infected abortion

Causes

Most miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the baby to develop. Usually, these problems are not related to the mother's or father's genes.

Other possible causes of miscarriage include:

  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Exposure to environmental toxins
  • Hormone problems
  • Infection
  • Obesity
  • Physical problems with the mother's reproductive organs
  • Problem with the body's immune response
  • Serious body-wide (systemic) diseases in the mother (such as uncontrolled diabetes)
  • Smoking

Around half of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) spontaneously, usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Among women who know they are pregnant, 15 to 20 out of every 100 will have a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. The rate of miscarriage drops after the baby's heartbeat is detected.

The risk of miscarriage is higher in women:

  • Who are older. The risk increases after age 30, becomes even greater between 35 and 40, and is highest after 40.
  • Who have had previous miscarriages.

Open Article Detail

Symptoms

Possible symptoms include:

  • Low back pain or abdominal pain that is dull, sharp, or cramping
  • Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
  • Vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal cramps

Exams and Tests

During a pelvic exam, your health care provider may see that your cervix has opened (dilated) or thinned out (effacement).

Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound may be done to check the baby's development and heartbeat, and the amount of your bleeding.

The following blood tests may be performed:

  • Blood type (if you have an Rh-negative blood type, you would require a treatment with Rh-immune globulin. See: Rh incompatibility)
  • Complete blood count (CBC) to determine how much blood has been lost
  • HCG (qualitative) to confirm pregnancy
  • HCG (quantitative) done every several days or weeks
  • White blood count (WBC) and differential to rule out infection

Treatment

When a miscarriage occurs, the tissue passed from the vagina should be examined. This is done to determine if it was a normal placenta or a hydatidiform mole (a rare growth that forms inside the womb early in pregnancy). It is also important to determine whether any pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus.

If the pregnancy tissue does not naturally leave the body, you may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. Surgery (suction curettage, D and C) or medicine may be needed to remove the remaining contents from your womb.

After treatment, women usually resume their normal menstrual cycle within 4 to 6 weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately. It is recommended that you wait one normal menstrual cycle before trying to become pregnant again.

Possible Complications

Complications of a complete miscarriage are rare.

An infected abortion may occur if any tissue from the placenta or fetus remains in the uterus after the miscarriage. Symptoms of an infection include fever, vaginal bleeding that does not stop, cramping, and a foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Infections can be serious and require immediate medical attention.

Women who lose a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy receive different medical care. This is called premature delivery or fetal demise and requires immediate medical attention.

After a miscarriage, women and their partners may feel sad. This is normal. If your feelings of sadness do not go away or get worse, seek advice from family and friends as well as your health care provider.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if vaginal bleeding with or without cramping occurs during pregnancy.

Call your health care provider if you are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material that passes through your vagina. Collect the material and bring it to your health care provider for examination.

Prevention

Early, comprehensive prenatal care is the best prevention for complications of pregnancy, such as miscarriage.

Miscarriages that are caused by systemic diseases can be prevented by detecting and treating the disease before pregnancy occurs.

Miscarriages are also less likely if you avoid things that are harmful to your pregnancy. These include x-rays, recreational drugs, alcohol, high caffeine intake, and infectious diseases.

When a mother's body has difficulty keeping a pregnancy, signs such as slight vaginal bleeding may occur. This means there is a possibility of miscarriage. But it does not mean one will definitely occur. A pregnant woman who develops any signs or symptoms of threatened miscarriage should contact her prenatal provider immediately.

Taking a prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement before you become pregnant can greatly lower the chances of miscarriage and certain birth defects.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee opinion no. 462: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116(2 Pt 1):467-8. PMID: 20664420 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20664420.

Katz VL. Spontaneous and recurrent abortion: etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2012:chap 16.

Laurino MY, Bennett RL, Saraiya DS, et al. Genetic evaluation and counseling of couples with recurrent miscarriage: Recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. J Genet Couns. June 2005;14(3):165-81. Reaffirmed April 2010. PMID: 15959648 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15959648.

Simpson JL, Jauniaux ERM. Pregnancy loss. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 26.

Related Articles

From Sutter Health

    Talking To Your MD

      Self Care

        Other Related Content

          Patient Information

          Couple in kitchen looking at digital tablet

          Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

          • Accepted Health Plans
          • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
          • Health Insurance Guide

          Find a Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

          Education and Support

          Dad laying on the ground with two sons and holding a basketball

          Healthy Living

          Get advice on nutrition, fitness, stress relief and more.

          Woman taking notes while leading group class

          Classes and Events

          Find a health education class, workshop or support group near you.

          Stethoscope on tablet

          Ask an Expert

          Have a question about your health? Ask our experts!

          Related Videos

          Maggie Muir, a lactation consultant at Sutter's Palo Alto Medical Foundation, shares helpful tips for moms to create and maintain wellness after delivering a baby.

          Postpartum Wellness

          Maggie Muir, a lactation consultant at Sutter's Palo Alto Medical Foundation, shares helpful tips for moms to create and maintain wellness after delivering a baby.

          Postpartum Wellness
          Overview on breastfeeding from Lili Beggs, a lactation consultant at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center Santa Cruz.

          What is lactation, and how to breastfeed

          Overview on breastfeeding from Lili Beggs, a lactation consultant at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center Santa Cruz.

          What is lactation, and how to breastfeed
          What can moms expect in the three months after delivering a baby. Hear from obstetrician Laetitia Oderma at Sutter Health's Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

          The Fourth Trimester | the months after delivering a baby

          What can moms expect in the three months after delivering a baby. Hear from obstetrician Laetitia Oderma at Sutter Health's Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

          The Fourth Trimester | the months after delivering a baby
          Kelli Beingesser, M.D., sheds some light on what complications might occur during your pregnancy.

          Pregnancy Complications

          Kelli Beingesser, M.D., sheds some light on what complications might occur during your pregnancy.

          Pregnancy Complications

          Doctor Profiles

          The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
          Susan Maayah, M.D.

          Susan Maayah, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Tracy T. Phillips, M.D.

          Tracy T. Phillips, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Douglas E. Rittenhouse, M.D.

          Douglas E. Rittenhouse, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          P. Adam Dodd, M.D.

          P. Adam Dodd, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Stephen M. Tsang, M.D., FACOG

          Stephen M. Tsang, M.D., FACOG

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Larry Lo, M.D.

          Larry Lo, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Maxine A. Karimoto, M.D., FACOG

          Maxine A. Karimoto, M.D., FACOG

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Alla Skalnyi, M.D.

          Alla Skalnyi, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          Jenna M. Seufert, M.D.

          Jenna M. Seufert, M.D.

          • Obstetrics and Gynecology

          View All Related Doctors

          The Sutter Health Network of Care
          Expertise to fit your needs
          Primary Care

          Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

          Specialty Care

          Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

          Emergency Care

          For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

          Urgent Care

          After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

          Walk-In Care

          Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

          About Sutter

        • About Our Network
        • Annual Report
        • Awards
        • Community Benefit
        • Contact Us
        • News
        • Giving
        • Find Care

        • Birth Centers
        • Care Centers
        • Emergency Rooms
        • Hospitals
        • Imaging
        • Labs
        • Surgery Centers
        • Urgent Care
        • Walk-In Care
        • View All >
        • Featured Services

        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Services
        • Family Medicine
        • Home Health and Hospice
        • Orthopedics
        • Pediatrics
        • Pregnancy
        • Primary Care
        • Women's Health
        • View All >
        • Patient Resources

        • Accepted Health Plans
        • Classes and Events
        • Estimate Costs
        • Flu Resources
        • Health and Wellness
        • Medical Records
        • Medicare
        • My Health Online
        • Pay a Bill
        • Symptom Checker
        • Our Team

        • For Employees
        • Physician Careers
        • Recruiting Events
        • Sutter Careers
        • Vendors
        • Volunteers
          • ADA Accessibility
          • Contact
          • Privacy
          • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

          • LinkedIn Opens new window
          • YouTube Opens new window
          • Facebook Opens new window
          • Twitter Opens new window
          • Glassdoor Opens new window
          • Instagram Opens new window

          Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

          Cookie Policy

          We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By clicking on "Accept Cookies", closing this pop-up banner or by continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy   Cookie Preferences