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Cramps 2 weeks after miscarriage


How Long Does a Miscarriage Last? Physical Symptoms Last 2-8 Weeks

  • Symptoms of a miscarriage, primarily heavy bleeding and cramping, can last up to two weeks, while lighter bleeding may continue another one to two weeks.
  • It can take four to six weeks to get a normal period again, and irregular periods immediately following miscarriages are common.
  • The emotional effects of a miscarriage, which are less often discussed, can be long-lasting and difficult. 

Miscarriage is medically defined as the loss of pregnancy up to 20 weeks. After that point, it is technically considered a stillbirth. 

However, miscarriage is often used as an umbrella term for pregnancy loss at any point. Miscarriage occurs in about 15%-25% of pregnancies in the United States, and most happen within the first 10 weeks of gestation. Only 5% of women will experience two consecutive miscarriages, and 1% will experience three or more.

There are likely more miscarriages than we know because some occur before the pregnancy is detected by a test, says Amanda Kallen, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.

Here are some signs of pregnancy loss, and what to expect if you're experiencing a miscarriage.

How long does a miscarriage last?

Symptoms of miscarriage — primarily heavy bleeding and cramping — can last up to two weeks. Lighter bleeding can last an additional one to two weeks. Depending on how far along the pregnancy was, pregnancy hormone levels can remain high for days or several weeks. 

It can take four to six weeks to get a normal period again, though irregular periods immediately following miscarriages are common. 

Sometimes, even more complicated than the physical symptoms are the emotional consequences of miscarriage, says Kallen, who herself has had two losses. The psychological pain is complicated by the tendency for women to suffer in silence because there is a societal taboo surrounding miscarriages, Kallen says.

According to research, social support has shown to be crucial in the emotional healing that occurs after pregnancy loss.

"There can be a significant grieving process, and it is often not linear," Kallen says. "Depending on how much time has passed, or if someone has invested time and energy into fertility treatments — or even for someone who got pregnant easily and feels a connection to that pregnancy — the process can last a long time and be complex."

Types of miscarriage and symptoms

Spotting in the first trimester — the initial 12 weeks of the pregnancy — is quite common. But if the bleeding is heavy and accompanied by cramping, it could be a sign of something worse.

"Any bleeding that is soaking a pad within an hour should be carefully evaluated," says Kallen. "Initial instances of bleeding should be at least discussed with a provider. That can be managed with more observation and discussion."

Different types of pregnancy loss:

Chemical pregnancy – Also called "biochemical pregnancy," this is a pregnancy loss that occurs within the first five weeks of gestation. The body makes enough of the reproductive hormone – human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – to result in a positive test but does not progress into a clinical pregnancy. About 50%-75% of all miscarriages are believed to be chemical pregnancies. Potential causes include advanced maternal age and chromosomal abnormalities. 

Missed miscarriage – In a missed miscarriage – also known as a silent miscarriage or missed abortion – tissues from the placenta and embryo remain in the uterus, but the embryo has died or never properly formed. People who experience this have three options. They can wait it out to see if the body naturally passes the tissue, or take misoprostol, a medication that prevents stomach ulcers but can also help manage miscarriages. The third option is a D&C, or dilation and curettage, which uses either surgical instruments or suctions to remove the tissue manually. The decision depends on each individual's preferences, the circumstances of the miscarriage, and the doctor's recommendation, Kallen says.  

First-trimester loss – Missed miscarriages and chemical pregnancies both fall under the umbrella of first-trimester loss. These miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Risk factors include maternal age of 35 or older, chronic conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease, and obesity, along with cigarette smoking and illicit drug use. About 80% of pregnancy loss occurs in the first trimester. 

Second-trimester loss – Miscarriages that occur between 12 and 24 weeks of gestation are far less common – only 2%-3% of pregnancies are lost during this time. Unlike earlier miscarriages,  the loss is more likely caused by trauma, infections, or clotting disorders, Kallen says. There may also be problems with fetal development or issues with the uterus, such as abnormalities in shape. 

Late pregnancy loss – Losses that occur in the final term are often caused by problems with the placenta, birth defects, infections in the fetus or placenta, or umbilical cord complications. Like second trimester miscarriage, diabetes or preeclampsia can also play a role. The use of marijuana, cigarettes, and illicit drugs increases the risk of stillbirth. 

When to see a doctor for miscarriage

Kallen says if you experience any bleeding after a positive pregnancy test, tell your doctor, who can further evaluate the status of the pregnancy.

If there are no signs of infection, also called a septic miscarriage, it can be safe to allow the early miscarriage to happen naturally, Kallen says. 

But if symptoms of septic miscarriage are present, such as fever, chills, lower abdominal tenderness, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, an individual should seek immediate medical attention.

If a doctor deems it necessary to use medication to manage the miscarriage at home, some options include:

  • Misoprostol pills: These are placed in the vagina, which usually leads to cramps and bleeding that will start within two to six hours afterward. Misoprostol may also be prescribed orally.
  • Ibuprofen: Taking ibuprofen can help with cramps. 

"For miscarriages in the second and third trimester, there will need to be medical intervention," Kallen says.

For those having a D&C, doctors will often recommend taking pain medicine beforehand. The procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes and may take place in a doctor's office on an outpatient basis or in the hospital. General or local anesthetic will be used, and most women experience minor cramping and bleeding for a few days after.

Insider's takeaway

Miscarriages are relatively common, and each woman's experience will vary depending on the circumstances. Early pregnancy loss is more common than later miscarriage and can often be managed at home. 

If you suspect you are having a miscarriage, always contact your doctor to discuss options. The physical effects can last for several weeks, but the emotional effects, which are seldom discussed, can be long-lasting and difficult.  

"Pregnancy loss is different for each individual," Kallen says. "It can be sort of a secret experience because women can go through it without many people knowing. The silence around it is the hardest part."

  • What causes miscarriages, and disproving common myths
  • You cannot prevent a miscarriage but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk
  • A chemical pregnancy is a miscarriage, but doctors say it's a good sign if you're trying to get pregnant
  • You've had a miscarriage. Here's how long doctors recommend you wait before trying again
  • How many periods you can miss before you should worry

Lindsay Kalter

Lindsay Kalter is a health freelance writer and contributor to Insider who has held positions with Politico, the Boston Herald, and the American Heart Association. Her work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, Hour Detroit Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and WebMD. She has covered topics from mental health and opioid use to cutting-edge medical research and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Miscarriage - what you might actually see and feel

Miscarriage - what you might actually see and feel | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

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WARNING — This article contains some graphic descriptions of what you might see during a miscarriage.

A miscarriage requires prompt medical care. If you think you are having a miscarriage, call your doctor or midwife for advice and support. Go to the Emergency Department if:

  • you are bleeding very heavily (soaking more than 2 pads per hour or passing clots larger than golf balls)
  • you have severe pain in your tummy or shoulder
  • you have a fever (a temperature above 38 degrees C)
  • you are dizzy, fainting or feel like fainting
  • you notice fluid coming from your vagina that smells bad
  • you have diarrhoea or pain when you have a bowel motion (do a poo)

Miscarriage is a very unfortunate and sad outcome of pregnancy that takes a significant emotional and physical toll on a woman. It also happens more frequently than many people think. It's important to recognise that there's no right or wrong way to feel about a miscarriage.

Despite close to one in 5 pregnancies ending in miscarriage, what actually happens and what a woman needs to know and do when faced with a possible miscarriage are subjects that rarely get discussed.

This article aims to give you an idea of what happens and what a woman needs to know and do at different stages in her pregnancy.

Please call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 if you have any concerns or wish to discuss the topic further.

What might I feel during a miscarriage?

Many women have a miscarriage early in their pregnancy without even realising it. They may just think they are having a heavy period. If this happens to you, you might have cramping, heavier bleeding than normal, pain in the tummy, pelvis or back, and feel weak. If you have started spotting, remember that this is normal in many pregnancies — but talk to your doctor or midwife to be safe and for your own peace of mind.

Later in your pregnancy, you might notice signs like cramping pain, bleeding or passing fluid and blood clots from your vagina. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may pass tissue that looks more like a fetus, or a fully-formed baby.

In some types of miscarriage, you might not have any symptoms at all — the miscarriage might not be discovered until your next ultrasound. Or you might just notice your morning sickness and breast tenderness have gone.

It is normal to feel very emotional and upset when you realise you’re having a miscarriage. It can take a while to process what is happening. Make sure you have someone with you, for support, and try to be kind to yourself.

What happens during a miscarriage?

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to stop a miscarriage once it has started. Any treatment is to prevent heavy bleeding or an infection.

Your doctor might advise you that no treatment is necessary. This is called 'expectant management', and you just wait to see what will happen. Eventually, the pregnancy tissue (the fetus or baby, pregnancy sac and placenta) will pass naturally. This can take a few days or as long as 3 to 4 weeks.

It can be very hard emotionally to wait for the miscarriage because you don’t know when it will happen. When it starts, you will notice spotting and cramping and then, fairly quickly, you will start bleeding heavily. The cramps will get worse until they feel like contractions, and you will pass the pregnancy tissue.

Some women opt to have medicine to speed up the process. In this case, the pregnancy tissue is likely to pass within a few hours.

If not all the tissue passes naturally or you have signs of infection, you may need to have a small operation called a ‘dilatation and curettage’ (D&C). You may need to wait some time for your hospital appointment. The operation only takes 5 to 10 minutes under general anaesthetic, and you will be able to go home the same day.

While you are waiting for a miscarriage to finish, it’s best to rest at home — but you can go to work if you feel up to it. Do what feels right for you. You can use paracetamol for any pain. If you are bleeding, use sanitary pads rather than tampons.

What might I see during a miscarriage?

In the first month of pregnancy, the developing embryo is the size of a grain of rice so it is very hard to see. You may pass a blood clot or several clots from your vagina, and there may be some white or grey tissue in the clots. The bleeding will settle down in a few days, although it can take up to 2 weeks.

At 6 weeks

Most women can’t see anything recognisable when they have a miscarriage at this time. During the bleeding, you may see clots with a small sac filled with fluid. The embryo, which is about the size of the fingernail on your little finger, and a placenta might be seen inside the sac. You might also notice something that looks like an umbilical cord.

At 8 weeks

The tissue you pass may look dark red and shiny — some women describe it as looking like liver. You might find a sac with an embryo inside, about the size of a small bean. If you look closely, you might be able to see where the eyes, arms and legs were forming.

At 10 weeks

The clots that are passed are dark red and look like jelly. They might have what looks like a membrane inside, which is part of the placenta. The sac will be inside one of the clots. At this time, the developing baby is usually fully formed but still tiny and difficult to see.

At 12 to 16 weeks

If you miscarry now, you might notice water coming out of your vagina first, followed by some bleeding and clots. The fetus will be tiny and fully formed. If you see the baby it might be outside the sac by now. It might also be attached to the umbilical cord and the placenta.

From 16 to 20 weeks

This is often called a 'late miscarriage'. You might pass large shiny red clots that look like liver as well as other pieces of tissue that look and feel like membrane. It might be painful and feel just like labour, and you might need pain relief in hospital. Your baby will be fully formed and can fit on the palm of your hand.

After the miscarriage

You will have some cramping pain and bleeding after the miscarriage, similar to a period. It will gradually get lighter and will usually stop within 2 weeks.

The signs of your pregnancy, such as nausea and tender breasts, will fade in the days after the miscarriage. If you had a late miscarriage, your breasts might produce some milk. You will probably have your next period in 4 to 6 weeks.

Remember, it’ll be normal to feel very emotional and upset at this time.

More information

Read more about miscarriage:

  • What is a miscarriage?
  • What happens after a miscarriage
  • Emotional support after miscarriage
  • Fathers and miscarriage
  • Experiencing a pregnancy loss

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:
KidsHealth (Understanding miscarriage), The Royal Women's Hospital (Treating miscarriage), Pink Elephants Support Network (Sorry for your loss), Women’s and Children’s Health Network (Miscarriage), Patient.com (Miscarriage and bleeding in early pregnancy), Pink Elephants Support Network (Treatments and procedures), New Kids Center (Blood Clots of Miscarriage: What It Looks Like?), Babycenter Australia (Understanding late miscarriage)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2022


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Related pages

  • Fathers and miscarriage
  • Emotional support after miscarriage
  • What happens after miscarriage
  • Miscarriage
  • Experiencing a pregnancy loss

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