Many of us embark on our path to parenthood with excitement, optimism and anticipation. Some of us even know that the journey isn’t always smooth, having friends or family members who’ve struggled to grow their families or hearing stories about miscarriage and loss. Still, we never expect it to happen to us—and when it does, we can feel incredibly isolated and confused.
Since miscarriage is rarely discussed out in the open, many of us have no idea what to expect. What does a miscarriage look like? How long does it last? When can we try again? What does it mean for our future fertility?
The reality is, miscarriage can look a little different for everyone who experiences it. Not only can it happen at different stages of pregnancy, but it can also be accompanied by a host of symptoms. In fact, some people don’t even have “symptoms” of a miscarriage at all, yet still experience pregnancy loss.
Symptoms of Miscarriage
Here are some of the most common symptoms that can happen with miscarriage.
Bleeding: This is the most common symptom and can range from light spotting to heavy bleeding, similar to a period. The color of the blood can vary from pink to red to brown, with brown often indicating older blood. How long you bleed or to what intensity may vary based on how far along you were when you miscarried.
Cramping: Abdominal cramps, similar to menstrual cramps, are another frequent symptom. These cramps can be mild or severe, depending on how far along you were when you miscarried. Some women might experience this cramping for a short few hours, while others may experience it for a day or longer.
Loss of pregnancy symptoms: If you’ve been experiencing morning sickness, breast tenderness, or fatigue, these might diminish or disappear altogether. It’s worth pointing out, however, that this doesn’t happen to everyone. With a “missed miscarriage” for example, you may continue to experience pregnancy symptoms after you’ve technically miscarried.
Tissue passing: In some cases, you may pass tissue or clots from the vagina. This can be a very emotional experience, and it’s important to remember that everyone reacts differently.
What Does Miscarriage Bleeding Look Like?
Miscarriage bleeding can look a lot like a period, but it can vary greatly in its appearance and intensity. It might be bright red, which indicates recent tissue passing, pink, which can be lighter bleeding or older blood mixing with fresh blood, or it can be brown, which signifies older blood that’s been in the uterus for some time. Your bleeding may also be accompanied by large blood clots, potentially larger than those in your period.
In terms of amount of blood, this can also vary. You may experience light spotting if you were early on in your pregnancy or if you had a chemical pregnancy, or a miscarriage before five weeks. Heavier bleeding is likely to accompany a loss past six weeks of pregnancy. You may experience clots as well.
In some cases, particularly with missed miscarriages, there may be no bleeding at all, which may require certain medications or procedures to actually remove the pregnancy tissue from your uterus.
If you experience any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it’s crucial to see your doctor. They can determine the cause and recommend the best course of action.
What Does Miscarriage Tissue Look Like?
Seeing tissue pass during a miscarriage can be a very emotional experience, especially if you can make out the actual parts of your baby. It’s important to remember that everyone reacts differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to feel. Here’s what you might encounter:
Pregnancy Tissue: The expelled tissue may look like small, white or pink clumps. These could be remnants of the embryonic sac or placental tissue.
Blood Clots: Clots can vary in size and color, ranging from red to brown depending on how long the blood has been present in the uterus.
Fetal Tissue: In later miscarriages (closer to 20 weeks), you might see very small undeveloped features resembling a fetus. However, this is uncommon in early miscarriages.
There’s no right or wrong way to handle the passed tissue. You can dispose of it in the toilet, wrap it in a sanitary pad and discard it in the trash or you could keep it for a brief period of time, which some women choose to do for emotional closure before disposal. It’s important to understand that tissue decomposes quickly, so this wouldn’t be a long-term option. If you see anything unusual, like large, very pale, or foul-smelling tissue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
When to Seek Medical Attention
A miscarriage at home can be a physically and emotionally overwhelming experience. While some miscarriages pass naturally without medical intervention, there are situations where seeking medical attention is crucial. Here’s a guide to help you navigate when to call your doctor:
You’re experiencing heavy bleeding or cramping
If you experience bleeding that soaks through more than one sanitary pad per hour for two hours in a row, seek immediate medical attention. This could indicate a more serious condition requiring intervention. Unbearable cramping that doesn’t respond to pain medication is a reason to call your doctor.
You spike a fever or have chills
A fever, especially above 100.4°F (38°C), can indicate an infection in the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Chills accompanying a fever are another red flag and suggest a potential infection.
You’re experiencing foul-smelling discharge
A strong, unpleasant odor coming from your vagina could indicate retained tissue or infection and warrants a doctor’s visit.
You’re bleeding for more than two weeks straight
Most people bleed about the length of a period after a miscarriage. If bleeding continues for more than two weeks after a suspected miscarriage, consult your doctor. This might indicate incomplete miscarriage, where some tissue remains in the uterus.
You’re feeling depressed or anxious
The emotional toll of losing a pregnancy is significant, and hormonal changes associated with miscarriage can intensify these feelings, says Carly Snyder, M.D., reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist. “Women with a history of depression, anxiety, PMDD, or bipolar disorder may be at higher risk of prolonged emotional distress or relapse of a previously stable condition after a miscarriage,” she says. “If you find that your mood remains low for an extended period, seek professional support, as it’s important to be mindful of your emotional state and reach out to a psychiatrist or therapist if needed.”
Experiencing a miscarriage can be deeply emotional, and it’s crucial not to go through it alone. Share your feelings with your partner, friends and family for support. “Many women feel a misplaced sense of responsibility for the miscarriage, but it’s important to understand that miscarriage is a common aspect of reproductive life and is not your fault,” says Dr. Snyder. “Opening up about your emotions can help with the healing process and alleviate feelings of isolation.”
If you’re looking for someone to talk to about going through your miscarriage, we at Miscarriage Movement have two helpful resources:
Sign up for loss and infertility coaching
Our co-founder Jenn Sinrich is on-track to become a certified bereavement doula, a trained professional who provides emotional and practical support to individuals and families experiencing grief and loss. They differ from traditional doulas, who typically focus on childbirth and postpartum care; instead, they specialize in supporting those grieving the death of a loved one, including spouses, parents, children and friends. They can also offer support for pregnancy loss, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
Participate in My Miscarriage Mentor
This FREE program, launching in the coming months, will connect women who’ve gone through pregnancy loss in a similar vein—whether it’s an ectopic pregnancy, incompetent cervix, subchorionic hemorrhage, stillborn, second-trimester loss, AVM, termination for medical reasons or more. We crave having someone to confide in who’s been in our shoes before—and that’s what this program will provide. If you’re interested, please sign up here and we will send you an email as soon as this is up and running.
