Missed miscarriage at 16 weeks: what to know

With a missed miscarriage, pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after development has stopped. Some people still feel pregnant, while others notice that symptoms lessen; neither pattern can establish the diagnosis. A clinician reviews the ultrasound findings and pregnancy dates and may arrange another scan if anything is uncertain. This loss is not caused by ordinary movement, work, exercise, or something you thought or said.

Your maternity or gynaecology team will explain care options suited to this stage of pregnancy, your health, the scan findings, and your preferences. Management may involve medicines that help the uterus empty or a procedure in hospital. Before treatment, the team may discuss pain relief, blood tests, what bleeding to expect, examination of pregnancy tissue, and follow-up. Do not start or stop prescribed medicines unless the treating team advises it. Emotional support and time to ask questions are also part of care.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for heavy bleeding, severe or worsening abdominal pain, fever, chills, fainting, marked dizziness, breathlessness, or fluid leaking from the vagina. If you feel faint, are soaking through pads rapidly, have trouble breathing, or cannot safely travel, call emergency services. Seek assessment even if a follow-up appointment is already booked.

Ask how the scan confirmed the loss, which management choices are suitable now, where treatment will happen, and what pain relief is available. You may also want to ask what to expect physically, who to contact overnight, whether any medicines need changing, and how follow-up and emotional support will be arranged.