What to Do If You Suspect a Miscarriage
A miscarriage requires prompt medical evaluation and gentle physical and emotional care. Learn the immediate steps to take and when to seek urgent emergency assistance.
Quick answer
4 steps — read this before anything else
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1
Contact your healthcare provider or midwife immediately for evaluation.
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2
Go to an emergency room if you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, or fever.
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3
Use sanitary pads instead of tampons to monitor blood loss and prevent infection.
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4
Rest in a comfortable position and avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting.
Warning
Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads per hour for two hours), severe pain, high fever, or fainting.
Important — please read
This content is general educational and informational only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical care because of something you read here. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call your local emergency services (police, fire or ambulance) immediately.
Experiencing potential signs of a miscarriage can be physically taxing and emotionally overwhelming. If you suspect you are having a miscarriage, prioritizing your physical health and seeking prompt medical care is essential.
Emergency Warning Signs
Call your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience any dangerous symptoms. Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you experience severe lower abdominal or shoulder pain, heavy bleeding (soaking through two or more maxi pads per hour for two consecutive hours), passing blood clots larger than a lemon, high fever, chills, dizziness, or fainting. These symptoms can indicate serious complications such as severe hemorrhage, ectopic pregnancy, or dangerous pelvic infection.
What to Do Immediately
- Contact your doctor or midwife: Call your prenatal healthcare provider or an urgent health advisory line right away to describe your symptoms and receive guidance on where to be evaluated.
- Use sanitary pads only: Wear maxi pads rather than tampons or menstrual cups. Using pads allows you to accurately monitor the volume of blood loss and significantly reduces the risk of introducing bacteria.
- Rest and stay comfortable: Lie down in a comfortable position and keep warm. Avoid any physical exertion, heavy lifting, or intense movement.
- Save passed tissue if requested: If you pass recognizable tissue, your healthcare provider may ask you to collect it in a clean, sealed container so it can be evaluated by a laboratory.
What NOT to Do
- Do not insert anything into the vagina: Avoid using tampons, douching, or having sexual intercourse while you are bleeding to prevent physical trauma and serious infection.
- Do not take unprescribed medications: Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory pain relievers without medical advice, as some medications can increase bleeding risks.
- Do not blame yourself: The vast majority of early miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities beyond anyone's control and are not caused by routine exercise, working, or daily stress.
Follow-Up Care and Emotional Support
Even if physical symptoms subside on their own, you must attend all scheduled medical follow-up appointments. Your physician will ensure that all tissue has cleared naturally to prevent late-onset infection or severe complications. Remember that pregnancy loss can take a profound emotional toll. Reach out to specialized grief counselors, healthcare social workers, or support groups when you feel ready to talk.
Take time to recover physically and emotionally, and lean on trusted loved ones or medical professionals to support your healing process.
This article provides general informational guidance and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Sources & references
Information verified with official organizations.
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