Miscarriage: signs, causes, care and which doctor to see
The signs of miscarriage, why it usually happens, how it is confirmed and managed, warning signs that need urgent care, and support for what comes after.
Also known as: Pregnancy Loss; Spontaneous Abortion
What a miscarriage is
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy on its own before the baby could survive outside the womb. Doctors usually use the term for losses in roughly the first half of pregnancy, and most happen in the first three months — often so early that a woman may not yet know she is pregnant. In medical records you may see it written as 'spontaneous abortion'. This is a medical term only; it does not mean anything was done to end the pregnancy.
Miscarriage is common, much more common than most people realise, because it is rarely talked about. Many women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards. If you are reading this because it has happened to you or someone close, the most important thing to know is that a miscarriage is almost never anyone's fault.
Signs and symptoms
- Vaginal bleeding, from light spotting to heavy bleeding with clots
- Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen, similar to period pain or stronger
- Lower back pain
- Passing tissue or fluid from the vagina
- Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness fading suddenly
Bleeding in early pregnancy does not always mean a miscarriage. Many women have some spotting and go on to have a healthy baby. But any bleeding in pregnancy should be checked by a doctor so the cause can be found. Sometimes a miscarriage causes no symptoms at all and is discovered on a routine scan — this is often called a missed or silent miscarriage.
Pain on one side of the lower abdomen, pain in the tip of the shoulder, dizziness or fainting in early pregnancy can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy — a pregnancy growing outside the womb — which is an emergency.
Why miscarriage happens
Most early miscarriages happen because the pregnancy is not developing normally, very often because of a chance problem with the chromosomes — the packages of genetic information — in the developing embryo. This is not inherited and is not caused by anything the mother or father did. In many cases no specific cause is ever found.
Some factors make miscarriage more likely:
- The mother's age, with the chance rising in the late thirties and beyond
- Previous miscarriages
- Smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs
- Long-term conditions that are not well controlled, such as diabetes or thyroid disease
- Some problems with the shape of the uterus or a weak cervix, which are more linked to later losses
- Certain infections, and some medicines — check with your doctor before taking any medicine in pregnancy
- Being significantly overweight or underweight
Ordinary daily life does not cause miscarriage. Working, travelling, climbing stairs, gentle exercise, sex in an uncomplicated pregnancy, a fall without major injury, an argument or a minor shock are not causes. Many women blame themselves or are blamed by relatives for something they ate or did; this is almost always unfounded and adds needless guilt to grief.
How it is confirmed
- Ultrasound — usually a vaginal scan in early pregnancy, which gives clearer pictures. It shows whether there is a pregnancy in the womb, whether there is a heartbeat, and whether any tissue remains. Sometimes it is too early to be sure and the scan is repeated after a week or two.
- hCG blood test — measures the pregnancy hormone. Two tests a couple of days apart show whether the level is rising, as in a continuing pregnancy, or falling.
- Pelvic examination — to check the cervix and the amount of bleeding.
- Blood group and a blood count — to check your Rh type and whether heavy bleeding has caused anaemia.
Waiting for repeat tests can feel very hard. Ask your doctor to explain what each result means and when you will know more.
Treatment and care
If the miscarriage is complete — all the pregnancy tissue has passed — often no further treatment is needed. If tissue remains in the womb, there are usually three options. Your gynaecologist will explain which are suitable for you, depending on how far along the pregnancy was, how much you are bleeding, any signs of infection, and your own preference:
- Expectant management — waiting for the tissue to pass naturally, usually over days to a couple of weeks, with a plan for pain relief and when to return
- Medical management — medicines, taken by mouth or placed in the vagina, that help the womb empty
- Surgical management — a short procedure, usually with anaesthesia, to remove the tissue by gentle suction (often called vacuum aspiration, or D&C)
If your blood group is Rh negative, your doctor may advise an anti-D injection to protect future pregnancies, depending on how far along the pregnancy was and the treatment you had. Afterwards, bleeding usually lasts a week or two, and periods generally return within a few weeks. Avoid tampons and follow your doctor's advice about sex until the bleeding stops, to reduce the risk of infection.
Repeated miscarriages
Most women who have one miscarriage do not have another. If you have had repeated miscarriages, your doctor may recommend tests to look for treatable causes, such as hormone problems, blood clotting conditions, problems with the shape of the uterus, or chromosome changes in either partner. Ask for a referral to a gynaecologist with experience in recurrent pregnancy loss; it may also be useful to read about female infertility.
Emotional recovery
Grief after a miscarriage is real, whatever the stage of pregnancy. Sadness, guilt, anger, anxiety and numbness are all common, and partners grieve too, sometimes differently. Family members may not know what to say, and some women find well-meant comments or pressure to try again hurtful. It is all right to take time, to talk about the loss, and to ask for help.
If low mood, anxiety, poor sleep or loss of interest last for weeks or start to affect daily life, speak to your doctor; depression and anxiety after pregnancy loss are treatable. A counsellor or clinical psychologist can help. India's national mental health helpline, Tele-MANAS, is available on 14416. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, this is an emergency: call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
When to try again depends on your physical recovery and on when you and your partner feel ready. Your doctor may suggest waiting until after your next period so dates are easier to work out, or longer in some situations. Starting folic acid before the next pregnancy and booking early for antenatal care are sensible steps.
When it is an emergency
Call 112 or 108, or go to the nearest emergency department, if during pregnancy or after a miscarriage you have:
- Very heavy bleeding — soaking through a pad every hour, or passing large clots
- Severe abdominal pain, especially on one side, or pain in the shoulder tip
- Dizziness, fainting, a racing heart or feeling very weak
- Fever, shivering, or a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, which may mean infection
Which doctor to see
A gynaecologist (obstetrician-gynaecologist) assesses bleeding in pregnancy, confirms a miscarriage and manages treatment and follow-up. For emotional support, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can help, particularly if distress is lasting or severe.
You can find gynaecologists in Bengaluru or clinical psychologists in Bengaluru on The Doctor Index, each with a registration you can check.
Common questions
Questions people ask
- Did I cause my miscarriage?
- Almost certainly not. Most miscarriages happen because the pregnancy was not developing normally, often due to a chance chromosome problem. Working, travelling, exercise, sex, lifting a child or ordinary food do not cause miscarriage. Feeling guilty is common, but it is not your fault.
- Does bleeding in early pregnancy always mean a miscarriage?
- No. Light bleeding or spotting is fairly common in early pregnancy, and many women who bleed go on to have healthy babies. Because bleeding can also signal a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, always contact your doctor so you can be examined and scanned.
- Can I get pregnant again after a miscarriage?
- Yes. Most women who have had a miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Your periods usually return within a few weeks. Your doctor can advise when it is physically safe to try again, but the right time also depends on when you feel emotionally ready.
- Will I need a D&C after a miscarriage?
- Not always. If all the tissue has passed, no procedure is needed. If some remains, waiting, medicines or a short surgical procedure are all options. Your gynaecologist will discuss which is suitable based on your scan, bleeding, any signs of infection and your preference.
This condition is usually assessed by a gynaecologist. Every profile shows the doctor’s registration and what has been checked.
Gynaecologists in Bangalore
A few gynaecologists listed on The Doctor Index. They are shown because of their speciality, not a stated interest in Miscarriage; ask the clinic whether the doctor sees it.
Related conditions
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vaginitis
All obstetrics and gynaecology conditions →
Practical reading
All postsSources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine — Miscarriage
- Government of India — Emergency Response Support System (112)
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine — Miscarriage — Public-domain health-topic summary
- Human Phenotype Ontology Consortium — terminology definitions — HPO licence; definitions reproduced without alteration
Miscarriage: signs, causes, care and which doctor to see is original text by The Doctor Index; the compiled source draft was used for research. Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999; July 2026 data, CC BY 4.0. This product uses the Human Phenotype Ontology (hp/releases/2026-09-01). Only sources listed for this article apply. Source material has been selected and arranged; HPO definitions are reproduced without alteration. No source organisation endorses this compilation. Köhler S et al. The Human Phenotype Ontology project: linking molecular biology and disease through phenotype data. Nucleic Acids Research 2014;42(D1):D966–D974. doi:10.1093/nar/gkt1026.
General information, not advice about your situation. Errors can be reported through the corrections process. Reference TDI-C-1562.