Miscarriage: What to Watch For and What Comes Next

If you've just had a scary few days, you’re not alone. About 10–20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. That number sounds high, but most are due to early problems that weren’t under anyone’s control. This page gives clear, practical steps: how to spot a miscarriage, when to seek care, treatment choices, and ways to cope afterward.

When to get medical help

Spotting a miscarriage can feel confusing. Common signs include vaginal bleeding (anything from light spotting to heavy bleeding), cramps or sharp abdominal pain, and a sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms like nausea or breast tenderness. If you have heavy bleeding soaking a pad in an hour, fever, fainting, severe pain, or signs of infection, call emergency services or go to the ER right away.

At a visit, your provider will usually do a pelvic exam, a pregnancy test (hCG blood level), and an ultrasound to check the pregnancy’s status. If you’re Rh negative, you may need a blood shot called Rh immune globulin after bleeding to protect future pregnancies. Tests help confirm what’s happening and guide the next steps.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on how far along you were and your medical situation. There are three common paths: expectant management (waiting to see if the body passes the tissue on its own), medical treatment with medication like misoprostol to help the uterus empty, or a surgical procedure such as a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove tissue. Your doctor will explain risks and recovery time for each option.

If an infection is suspected, you may get antibiotics. If tests show an underlying condition—like thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or a blood-clotting issue—your care team will discuss treatment and monitoring plans to lower risks in future pregnancies.

Emotionally, miscarriage is often harder than people expect. Grief, anger, relief, and guilt are all normal reactions. Reach out to someone you trust and say what you need—quiet company, help with chores, or space to process. Many hospitals and clinics offer counseling or support groups. Online forums can help, but local support and professional counseling make a big difference for many people.

Thinking about trying again? Most people go on to have healthy pregnancies. Timing varies: some doctors say you can try in the next cycle, others suggest waiting until after a follow-up appointment. If you’ve had two or more consecutive miscarriages, ask your provider about testing to find causes that might be treatable.

Simple steps that may lower risk include managing chronic conditions (like diabetes or thyroid issues), taking folic acid before pregnancy, avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use, and keeping a healthy weight. Still, many miscarriages can’t be prevented—chromosomal issues are a common cause and aren’t controllable.

If you’re worried right now, contact your healthcare provider or local emergency services. If you need emotional support, ask your clinic about counseling or look for local pregnancy loss support groups. You don’t have to go through this alone.