Miscarriage Symptoms: Signs to Watch For and When to Seek Care

Ava Health
February 26, 2026

If you’re reading this, you may be feeling anxious, uncertain, or quietly afraid. You might be noticing changes in your body, experiencing symptoms that don’t feel right, or simply seeking information for peace of mind. Whatever brought you here, your concern is valid.

Pregnancy can come with many unfamiliar sensations, and it isn’t always easy to know what’s normal and what isn’t. Learning about miscarriage symptoms is not about expecting the worst—it’s about understanding your body and knowing when to seek care. You deserve clear, calm information and compassionate support as you navigate this moment.

What Is a Miscarriage?

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks, most commonly in the first trimester. Many miscarriages occur very early, sometimes before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Miscarriage is far more common than many realize, and it is almost never caused by something you did or didn’t do.

Things to Remember

Most miscarriages happen due to chromosomal changes

Everyday activities do not cause miscarriage

Experiencing a miscarriage does not mean future pregnancies won’t be healthy

Understanding the symptoms can help you respond with care—not fear.

How Common Is Miscarriage?

Miscarriage occurs in approximately ¼ of known pregnancies. The actual number may be higher, as many happen before pregnancy is confirmed.

While common, miscarriage is still deeply personal. Statistics don’t lessen emotional impact—but they can help reduce isolation and self-blame.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms vs. Miscarriage Symptoms

One of the most difficult parts of early pregnancy is that normal pregnancy symptoms and miscarriage symptoms can overlap.

Some discomfort, spotting, or cramping can be normal. The key is understanding patterns, severity, and progression.

Common Miscarriage Symptoms

1. Vaginal Bleeding

Bleeding is the most common symptom associated with miscarriage, but not all bleeding means miscarriage.

What to Know:

Light spotting can be common in early pregnancy

Bleeding associated with miscarriage is often heavier

It may include clots or tissue

Bleeding may increase over time rather than stop

Any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy should be reported to your ob-gyn or midwife. They will guide you through any further testing or recommended care.

2. Cramping or Abdominal Pain

Cramping can occur in healthy pregnancies, but miscarriage-related cramping often feels different.

Characteristics May Include:

Strong or persistent cramps

Pain that worsens over time

Pain felt in the lower abdomen or back

Cramping combined with bleeding

Seek immediate medical care for pain that is considerably worse than your menstrual cramps, or for severe pain that is localized low on one side of your belly or the other.

3. Lower Back Pain

Dull or sharp lower back pain may accompany uterine changes during miscarriage.

While back pain can be common in pregnancy, persistent or intense pain combined with bleeding is a sign to seek care.

4. Passing Tissue or Clots

Passing grayish or pink tissue, or larger clots, may indicate pregnancy loss.

This can be frightening. If this happens:

Seek medical care promptly

Know that support is available

5. Sudden Loss of Pregnancy Symptoms

A noticeable decrease or sudden disappearance of pregnancy symptoms may raise concern.

This can include:

Breast tenderness fading quickly

Nausea stopping abruptly

Fatigue significantly decreasing

Symptoms can fluctuate naturally, but a sudden change combined with other signs may warrant evaluation.

Less Obvious Symptoms of Miscarriage

1. Pelvic Pressure

A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis may occur as the uterus changes.

2. Fever or Chills

Fever may indicate infection, which can occur during or after miscarriage and requires prompt care.

3. Emotional Changes That Feel Sudden or Overwhelming

While emotional shifts are normal in pregnancy, intense sadness, shock, or a sense that “something isn’t right” may accompany physical symptoms.

Your intuition deserves attention.

Types of Miscarriage and How Symptoms May Differ

Threatened Miscarriage

Bleeding and cramping

Cervix remains closed

Pregnancy may continue

Missed Miscarriage

Pregnancy loss without immediate symptoms

Often discovered on ultrasound

Incomplete Miscarriage

Some tissue has passed

Bleeding and cramping continue

Complete Miscarriage

All pregnancy tissue has passed

Bleeding and pain gradually decrease

Understanding these distinctions can help explain why symptoms vary widely.

When to Seek Medical Care Immediately

Contact a healthcare provider or seek urgent care if you experience:

Heavy bleeding (soaking two pads in an hour)

Severe abdominal or shoulder pain

Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

Fainting or dizziness

Foul-smelling discharge

These symptoms require prompt evaluation for safety and well-being.

What Does Not Cause Miscarriage?

This is important to say clearly:

Miscarriage is not caused by:

Exercise

Lifting groceries

Stress

Sexual activity

Working or traveling

Emotional upset

Miscarriage most often happens because the pregnancy could not develop as expected.

Risk Factors for Miscarriage

Some factors may increase risk, including:

Chromosomal differences

Advanced maternal age

Certain chronic conditions

Untreated infections

Smoking

Drinking Alcohol

Using Recreational Drugs

Unmanaged Diabetes

Having risk factors does not mean miscarriage will happen. It simply helps guide medical care.

After a Miscarriage: What to Expect Physically

Physical recovery varies.

You may experience:

Bleeding for several days to weeks

Cramping that gradually subsides

Hormonal shifts affecting mood and energy

Follow-up care helps ensure healing and answers questions.

Emotional Responses to Miscarriage

There is no “right” way to feel.

You may experience:

Grief

Shock

Anger

Guilt

Relief

Numbness

All of these responses are valid. Emotional recovery does not follow a timeline.

Miscarriage and Future Fertility

One of the most common fears after miscarriage is whether it will happen again.

The reassuring truth:

Most women go on to have healthy pregnancies

One miscarriage does not significantly increase future risk

Fertility often returns quickly

A healthcare provider can help guide timing and next steps when you’re ready.

A Holistic Perspective on Loss and Care

Miscarriage does not erase the meaning of your pregnancy or the care you held in your heart. Life has value even when it is brief, and grief does not require justification.

You are not weak for hurting. You are not broken because this happened. Healing is possible—and it can coexist with remembrance, hope, and compassion for yourself.

Reflection: You Are Allowed to Take This One Step at a Time

If you are worried about symptoms, it’s okay to seek reassurance. If you are experiencing loss, it’s okay to take time to grieve.

Educational, supportive resources exist to offer clarity without pressure and care without judgment.

Support and Next Steps

If you’re experiencing possible miscarriage symptoms:

Reach out to a healthcare provider

Seek evaluation if symptoms worsen

Ask questions—you deserve answers

If you’ve experienced loss:

Allow yourself time

Seek emotional support if needed

Know that you are not alone

Care is available. Compassion is available. And you deserve both.

Sources

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Early Pregnancy Loss.” ACOG, Nov. 2018, www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/early-pregnancy-loss.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Repeated Miscarriages.” ACOG, July 2023, www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/repeated-miscarriages.

Cleveland Clinic. “Miscarriage (Pregnancy Loss).” Cleveland Clinic, 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9688-miscarriage.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Miscarriage.” Mayo Clinic, 18 Aug. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298.

MedlinePlus. “Miscarriage.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, updated 2023, medlineplus.gov/miscarriage.html.

Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. “Evaluation and Treatment of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Committee Opinion.” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 98, no. 5, 2012, pp. 1103–1111.

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Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ava Health does not refer for or perform abortions. All medical information is accurate at the time of publishing.

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