What a miscarriage at 7 weeks may look like

Some people notice bleeding similar to a heavy period, while others see clots or strands of grey, pink or white tissue. Cramping may come in waves as the uterus contracts. The amount of bleeding and the appearance of material vary, and some miscarriages cause little visible tissue.

Visual clues cannot distinguish pregnancy tissue from a blood clot with certainty. Bleeding can also occur in an ongoing pregnancy or with another condition. A transvaginal ultrasound, pregnancy testing and a clinical review help establish what is happening.

Use pads rather than tampons while you are bleeding, and record changes in bleeding, cramps, temperature and general wellbeing. If you want to show a clinician what you saw, a photograph may be useful, but do not handle tissue if doing so feels distressing. Arrange medical advice even if bleeding settles.

When miscarriage is confirmed, management may involve waiting, prescribed medicine, or a procedure. Your care team can explain Medical Management of Miscarriage and Surgical Management of Miscarriage and help match the approach to your findings and wishes.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, intense or one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, severe dizziness, fever, chills, or offensive-smelling discharge. Urgent review is also needed if you have severe pain without much bleeding, because the symptoms may point to ectopic pregnancy or another problem.

Ask what your examination and ultrasound show, whether testing needs repeating, how to recognise incomplete miscarriage, and how to manage pain. It is reasonable to ask how long follow-up lasts and what support is available for grief or anxiety.