What can cause a late miscarriage?

The membranes may rupture early, the placenta may separate, or the cervix may open before the pregnancy can continue. Conditions affecting the womb's shape, blood clotting or control of illnesses such as diabetes or thyroid disease may also be considered. Sometimes testing does not identify a clear explanation.

A late miscarriage is not caused by ordinary movement, exercise, work or something you thought or said. People often search for a specific action to blame, but pregnancy loss is generally outside the pregnant person's control.

The pattern can offer clues: the cervix opening with little or no pain may suggest cervical weakness, while fever or feeling unwell may suggest infection. Bleeding and pain can occur with several pregnancy complications, so symptoms cannot determine the cause without examination and investigations.

Contact your maternity unit if you are currently bleeding, leaking fluid, having cramps or noticing a change in fetal movement. A clinical assessment and ultrasound, sometimes including transvaginal ultrasound, may be used to understand the pregnancy and cervix.

After a confirmed loss, the team will explain what to expect and discuss suitable care. Depending on the clinical situation and your preferences, options may include waiting, medical management of miscarriage or surgical management of miscarriage. Tests may examine the placenta or pregnancy tissue, infection, blood clotting, the womb and relevant health conditions.

Emotional recovery has no fixed schedule. Bereavement support, follow-up with the maternity team and a plan for a future pregnancy can all be requested.

Get urgent help during pregnancy for heavy bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal pain, fluid leaking from the vagina, fever, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, breathlessness or feeling seriously unwell. Contact maternity services promptly for regular tightenings, pelvic pressure or a noticeable reduction or change in fetal movement.

Following a pregnancy loss, urgent review is needed for very heavy bleeding, worsening pain, fever, offensive-smelling discharge, dizziness, collapse or increasing weakness. These signs can indicate substantial blood loss or infection.

You may want to ask which explanations fit the findings, what tests are available, when results will return and whether they could change care in another pregnancy. Also ask whether early specialist review, cervical monitoring, medicines or additional scans would be considered next time.