Bleeding after a miscarriage what is normal

What Does a Miscarriage Look Like? Bleeding, Duration, and More

A miscarriage is a spontaneous pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation. Some 8 to 20 percent known pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the majority happening before the 12th week.

The signs and symptoms of miscarriage vary from person to person. Symptoms may also vary depending on how far along you are. For example, a fetus at 14 weeks will be much larger than a fetus at 5 weeks of gestation, so there may be more bleeding and tissue loss with a later miscarriage.

Miscarriage symptoms may include:

spotting or bleeding from the vagina
abdominal cramping or pain in the lower back
passage of tissue, fluid, or other products from the vagina

Read on to learn more about identifying a miscarriage and what to do if you suspect you’re experiencing one.

Bleeding may start as light spotting, or it could be heavier and appear as a gush of blood. As the cervix dilates to empty, the bleeding becomes heavier.

The heaviest bleeding is generally over within three to five hours from the time heavy bleeding begins. Lighter bleeding may stop and start over one to two weeks before it completely ends.

The color of the blood can range from pink to red to brown. Red blood is fresh blood that leaves the body quickly. Brown blood, on the other hand, is blood that’s been in the uterus a while. You may see discharge the color of coffee grounds, or near black, during a miscarriage.

Exactly how much bleeding you’ll experience depends on a variety of circumstances, including how far along you are and whether or not your miscarriage is progressing naturally.

While you may see a lot of blood, let your doctor know if you fill more than two sanitary pads an hour for two or more hours in a row.

What does a missed miscarriage look like?

You may not experience bleeding or other symptoms with a miscarriage, at least at first.

A missed miscarriage, also referred to as a missed abortion, happens when the fetus has died but the products of conception remain in the uterus. This type of miscarriage is usually diagnosed via ultrasound.

Just as with the amount of blood you’ll see, the duration of a miscarriage will vary from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.

In many cases, a miscarriage will take around two weeks to pass naturally. Your doctor may prescribe the medication misoprostol (Cytotec) to help a miscarriage pass more quickly. Bleeding may start within two days of beginning the medication. For others, it may take up to two weeks.

Once the miscarriage has started, the tissue and heaviest bleeding should be passed in about three to five hours. After the fetus has passed, you may still experience spotting and mild tissue loss for one to two weeks.

It may be difficult to tell a very early miscarriage from a late period. In fact, many miscarriages happen before a person even knows they’re pregnant.

In general, a miscarriage will cause more intense symptoms than a menstrual period. For example:

Your menstrual flow may be relatively similar from month to month with heavy days and light days. A miscarriage can also have heavy and light days, but bleeding may be especially heavy at times and last longer than you’re used to.
Bleeding from a miscarriage may also contain large clots and tissue you don’t normally see during your period.
Cramps can be a part of your normal monthly cycle, but with a miscarriage, they may be particularly painful as the cervix dilates.
The color of blood during your period can range from pink to red to brown. If you see a color you’re not used to seeing, it may be a sign of miscarriage.

Always contact your doctor if you’re pregnant and experience bleeding. While a miscarriage can’t be stopped once it starts, you doctor can run tests to help determine if you’re experiencing the loss of your pregnancy or something else.

To diagnose a miscarriage, your doctor will likely perform an ultrasound to look for the baby’s heartbeat, if you’re far enough along to see a heartbeat. Your doctor may also order a blood test to check human chorionic gonadotropin (hcG) levels to see if they’re rising or falling.

If a miscarriage is confirmed, your doctor may suggest “expectant management” or waiting for the miscarriage to pass naturally. This generally happens within two weeks.

Incomplete miscarriage

The miscarriage may be incomplete if:

your bleeding is particularly heavy
you have a fever
an ultrasound reveals there’s still tissue in your uterus

If this is the case, your doctor may suggest a dilation and curettage (D and C), which is a surgical procedure done to remove remaining tissue. The procedure is done under general or regional anesthesia, and is considered safe. D and C doesn’t usually lead to long-term complications.

Threatened miscarriage

It’s important to report any bleeding or pain you experience in your pregnancy to your doctor. In some cases, you may have what’s called a threatened miscarriage, and there may be certain treatments that can help. These include:

hormone supplements if the bleeding is caused by low progesterone
a cerclage (stitch in the cervix) if the issue is with the cervix opening prematurely

Speak with your healthcare provider if you’re looking to get pregnant again after a miscarriage. While it may be safe to start trying after your first normal period, you may want to schedule a checkup depending on the cause or the number of miscarriages you’ve had.

The reason for loss isn’t always known, but around half of miscarriages are caused by issues with the baby’s chromosomes.

Other possible causes include:

uterine issues
hormonal imbalances
other health conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome

After a miscarriage, you may have hcG in your blood for one to two months, which could lead to a false positive pregnancy test. In most cases, your period will return within four to six weeks, though you may start ovulating almost immediately following a miscarriage.

Speak with your doctor about birth control options if you don’t wish to become pregnant after a miscarriage.

Will I miscarry again?

Having one miscarriage doesn’t necessarily increases your chances of having another. The risk remains around 20 percent.

Two or more miscarriages is referred to as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The risk of miscarriage after two losses is 28 percent. After three consecutive losses, it increases to 43 percent.

Only 1 percent of people experience three or more miscarriages. About 65 percent of those with unexplained RPL go on to have successful pregnancies.

Activities like exercise, work, morning sickness, and sex don’t cause miscarriages. Even things like smoking or drinking alcohol or caffeine, which can lead to other complications, are also unlikely to lead to early pregnancy loss.

A miscarriage can be physically painful, and it may also cause a variety of emotions. While your body may recover in a few weeks, be sure to take time to process your feelings, grieve, and reach out for help when you need it.

What Does a Miscarriage Look Like? Bleeding, Duration, and More

A miscarriage is a spontaneous pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation. Some 8 to 20 percent known pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the majority happening before the 12th week.

Miscarriage symptoms may include:

spotting or bleeding from the vagina
abdominal cramping or pain in the lower back
passage of tissue, fluid, or other products from the vagina

Read on to learn more about identifying a miscarriage and what to do if you suspect you’re experiencing one.

Bleeding may start as light spotting, or it could be heavier and appear as a gush of blood. As the cervix dilates to empty, the bleeding becomes heavier.

The heaviest bleeding is generally over within three to five hours from the time heavy bleeding begins. Lighter bleeding may stop and start over one to two weeks before it completely ends.

Exactly how much bleeding you’ll experience depends on a variety of circumstances, including how far along you are and whether or not your miscarriage is progressing naturally.

While you may see a lot of blood, let your doctor know if you fill more than two sanitary pads an hour for two or more hours in a row.

What does a missed miscarriage look like?

You may not experience bleeding or other symptoms with a miscarriage, at least at first.

Just as with the amount of blood you’ll see, the duration of a miscarriage will vary from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.

It may be difficult to tell a very early miscarriage from a late period. In fact, many miscarriages happen before a person even knows they’re pregnant.

In general, a miscarriage will cause more intense symptoms than a menstrual period. For example:

Your menstrual flow may be relatively similar from month to month with heavy days and light days. A miscarriage can also have heavy and light days, but bleeding may be especially heavy at times and last longer than you’re used to.
Bleeding from a miscarriage may also contain large clots and tissue you don’t normally see during your period.
Cramps can be a part of your normal monthly cycle, but with a miscarriage, they may be particularly painful as the cervix dilates.
The color of blood during your period can range from pink to red to brown. If you see a color you’re not used to seeing, it may be a sign of miscarriage.

If a miscarriage is confirmed, your doctor may suggest “expectant management” or waiting for the miscarriage to pass naturally. This generally happens within two weeks.

Incomplete miscarriage

The miscarriage may be incomplete if:

your bleeding is particularly heavy
you have a fever
an ultrasound reveals there’s still tissue in your uterus

Threatened miscarriage

hormone supplements if the bleeding is caused by low progesterone
a cerclage (stitch in the cervix) if the issue is with the cervix opening prematurely

The reason for loss isn’t always known, but around half of miscarriages are caused by issues with the baby’s chromosomes.

Other possible causes include:

uterine issues
hormonal imbalances
other health conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome

Speak with your doctor about birth control options if you don’t wish to become pregnant after a miscarriage.

Will I miscarry again?

Having one miscarriage doesn’t necessarily increases your chances of having another. The risk remains around 20 percent.

Two or more miscarriages is referred to as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The risk of miscarriage after two losses is 28 percent. After three consecutive losses, it increases to 43 percent.

Only 1 percent of people experience three or more miscarriages. About 65 percent of those with unexplained RPL go on to have successful pregnancies.

What to do after a miscarriage - recovering from a miscarriage

A miscarriage can be a difficult topic to talk about, but sometimes talking is the best way to come to terms with it and start healing from the whole experience.

Let's dive deeper into what happens to the body after a miscarriage, as well as learn how to deal with your own feelings.

A miscarriage is when an embryo or fetus does not survive in the uterus during the first 23 weeks of pregnancy. ^[1] Miscarriage is more common than most people think: every 4th pregnancy ends like this. Just because it isn't talked about often doesn't mean it's rare.

Talking about miscarriages can be difficult, because often it is a real grief. However, this topic is becoming less and less taboo, and many women come together in solidarity to share their experiences. This way they know they are not alone in their grief.

A miscarriage is a whole process: your body will be under a lot of physical and emotional stress both during and after the miscarriage. Therefore, we will look at how this situation changes your body in terms of periods, future pregnancies and emotions.

What is bleeding and discharge during a miscarriage?

The most common symptom of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. The severity of this bleeding can vary from person to person: sometimes it is heavy with blood clots, other times it can be just spots or brown discharge. This bleeding can last up to 2 weeks. Another symptom of a miscarriage is abdominal pain. They occur when the muscles of the uterus contract to push all the tissues of the embryo or fetus out of the cavity in the form of clots through the vagina.

Regardless of the amount of blood you have from your vagina during pregnancy, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. While not all bleeding during pregnancy is a sign of a miscarriage (implantation bleeding is considered normal in the early stages of pregnancy), it's always best to see a doctor if you're concerned.

What will my first period be like after a miscarriage?

Having experienced a miscarriage, you may wonder how your body will react to it and if there will be any long-term consequences. Miscarriages rarely change the body forever, but you need to give the body time to get used to and return to its normal rhythm of life.

After a miscarriage, you can expect your period to return to normal in about 4-6 weeks, although recovery time varies from person to person and can take up to several months. ^[2]

Don't worry about the return of your period, instead give yourself time to rest while your body repairs and heals.

Getting pregnant after a miscarriage

Some women may immediately return to trying to conceive after a miscarriage, while others may take some time to "digest" the event. Some may even wonder if they even want to have children. Whatever your reaction to your own experience, it is important to recognize that there is no right or wrong way - we all cope differently.

If you still want to try again, it is usually recommended to wait until the symptoms of the miscarriage have passed to prevent infection. ^[3] You can also wait until your period starts again so that you can calculate your future pregnancy dates more accurately.

And remember: you can always consult your doctor about a new pregnancy, but most importantly, you decide when you are ready.

Dealing with your feelings after a miscarriage

The consequences of a miscarriage can be felt immediately after it or after a while - everyone mourns the baby in different ways. No matter how you react, it is important to understand that you did nothing wrong: miscarriage is not related to your personal strength or ability.

I hate to talk about this, but expressing thoughts and emotions can really help in the healing process. And even if at first it seems uncomfortable to talk to people about a miscarriage, you will be surprised how many women understand what you have gone through and are ready to provide support.

There are also many charities and associations dedicated to helping people with spontaneous abortions. So if you ever need comforting advice, there are many more people you can turn to besides friends and family.

Miscarriage is no doubt a difficult topic to discuss, but silence only reinforces the taboo and prevents many people from seeking support. Remember that you are not alone and that it is okay to speak up when you feel ready to do so.

To further discuss pregnancy, check out our articles on fertility treatments and what it's like to be childless by choice.

Medical disclaimer

The medical information contained in this article is for reference only and should not be used for any diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Consult your doctor about a specific medical condition.

[Links]

^[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/miscarriage/

^[2] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/miscarriage#after-a-miscarriage

^[3] https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/information/worried-about-pregnancy-loss/trying-again/

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bleeding after interruption pregnancy: the norm or cause for panic

Bleeding after termination of pregnancy: the norm or cause for panic

Uterine bleeding after termination of pregnancy is a common phenomenon in obstetric practice that occurs on the first day after the operation. The intensity and duration of blood loss are individual and depend not only on the characteristics of the female body, but also on the type of abortion.

Features of bleeding after abortion

Bleeding may be completely absent during the first two days after surgical termination of pregnancy, but later increases to menstrual bleeding and continues in some clinical pictures up to 6 weeks. This pathology indicates a hormonal imbalance, that is, there is insufficient "support" of endometrial tissues, which supports the development of pregnancy. As a result of this bleeding after termination of pregnancy can only increase, and continue intermittently for several weeks. It is important to understand that here we are talking about pathology.

Most women of reproductive age are concerned about the main question, how long will bleeding after an abortion last? The question is individual, but if it does not pass more than two weeks after getting rid of the fetus, it is important to urgently contact the local gynecologist. The duration of the hemorrhage also depends on the gestational age: the earlier an abortion is performed, the more likely it is to solve such a piquant problem in a gentle “mode” and without serious consequences.

Cause of abnormal bleeding after abortion

The occurrence of bleeding after an abortion should not confuse the patient, but its duration should be a cause for concern. Among the pathological causes of this symptom, the following should be singled out:

Perforation of the uterus;
Injury of the cervix;
Presence of residual fetal tissue;
bleeding disorder;
The reaction of the female body to individual anesthetics.

With such diagnoses, along with hemorrhage, there is an obvious violation of the temperature regime, convulsions, general weakness, fainting, hypotension, increased heart rate. It is important not to ignore such signs of shock, but to visit a medical center and a qualified specialist in a timely manner.