Miscarriage can happen for any number of reasons including a fetal genetic disorder, abnormalities of the uterus, or trauma. Certain lifestyle factors increase the risk of miscarriage (smoking, drugs) while other don’t (moderate exercise, sex). Knowing when to call a doctor or rush to the emergency room can be tricky since symptoms can often be vague rather than overt. Oftentimes, even the more obvious symptoms turn out to be nothing at all. Irrespective of this, when it comes to the possibility of a miscarriage — or any other complication for that matter — it’s best to be safe than sorry. Here are some of the more typical signs of miscarriage you should know about: When the.hCG levels start to fall, you doctor will most definitely want to monitor this. While it may mean nothing more than your pregnancy date has been miscalculated, it might also suggest a miscarriage or some other pregnancy complication, including an ectopic pregnancy. But cramping can also be a sign of miscarriage. If you’re experiencing serious cramping, constant cramping, spotting, or heavy bleeding, call your doctor right away as this could very well be a sign of miscarriage. This is especially true if it is accompanied by lower back pain. Severe pain one side of the body that is worsening may the sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which should always be treated as a medical emergency. On ultrasound, the lack of fetal growth, an inappropriate size of the gestational sac or fetal pole, or lack of a heartbeat are all signs that a miscarriage either has or will occur. A miscarriage that occurs without symptoms is referred to as a missed miscarriage. However, when the discharge is significant — appearing in grape-like clusters, often with fluid — it could be pregnancy tissue you’re looking at. See your doctor even if you’re not sure. Even a minor vaginal infection should be looked at and treated during pregnancy.
