Many people do not know that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Serious early problems in the development of an embryo or fetus are the most common reasons that a pregnancy releases. If you experience a miscarriage, it was not caused by something you did, did not do, or thought. Miscarriage itself, or more than one miscarriage, does not endanger your future ability to become pregnant. Three or more miscarriages in a row may indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance or other indication for exploring fertility testing and/or support.
Some people first suspect they are having a miscarriage when they notice that they no longer “feel pregnant”. Some people notice an onset of menstrual-like cramping and dark or bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet. Sometimes a person notices no symptoms at all and first learns of a miscarriage when a healthcare practitioner is unable to detect fetal heart tones or a fetal heartbeat. These experiences can take place whether you are planning to continue a pregnancy or planning an abortion.
Miscarriage can feel like an experience that is completely out of our control, but in fact, people may have options for managing their miscarriage. Options may include:1) wait for cramping and bleeding to become heavy and for pregnancy tissue to pass; 2) request medications called Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and/or Misoprostol to help the pregnancy tissue to pass; or 3) go to the clinic or urgent care for an in-clinic procedure. Some pregnant people begin with a wait-and-see approach and follow up with further options if needed. Recent research has shown that assisting miscarriage with medications (option 2) is more effective, and may be safer, than waiting for a miscarriage to take its own course. Your can ask your practitioner about miscarriage options.
Miscarriage is rarely an emergency, but if you are experiencing weakness and fainting due to heavy bleeding, you should go to Urgent Care or a hospital Emergency Room. If you are too lightheaded to walk, call 911, and an ambulance will help you get there. If you are not experiencing the above
symptoms, you do not have to go anywhere. Many people feel better with a support person at hand or nearby. Extreme abortion laws in some states can make some pregnant people who are having a miscarriage hesitate to ask for help. Please always feel free to call our call line with questions and for support.
Miscarriage Resources
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists assisting people who wish to become parents. Expertise in male and female infertility conditions, as well as women’s endocrine conditions.
Helping Wisconsin families find their way back to life after pregnancy loss.
University of Wisconsin healthcare clinic for people affected by pregnancy loss.
Advocates, experts, and lawyers fighting for gender justice and decriminalization of women’s bodies, pregnancy, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
UW Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic
University of Wisconsin healthcare clinic for people experiencing spotting, bleeding or cramping in early pregnancy.