Missed miscarriage at 6 weeks: when might bleeding start?

A missed miscarriage can be present without the bleeding commonly associated with miscarriage. Pregnancy tissue may stay in the uterus while hormone levels change gradually. Light spotting, period-like cramps, or no physical change can all occur before treatment. Ultrasound findings and the clinical picture guide confirmation; pregnancy dates alone cannot predict exactly when bleeding will begin.

Arrange a review with your maternity or gynaecology team rather than waiting without a plan. They may offer expectant care, prescribed medicine, or a procedure. Discuss how long waiting is reasonable for you, what supplies to keep at home, how to manage discomfort, and how completion will be checked. See [Medical Management of Miscarriage](/treatments/medical-gynaecology/medical-management-of-miscarriage/) or [Surgical Management of Miscarriage](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/surgical-management-of-miscarriage/) for more detail.

Get urgent care if bleeding becomes heavy, pain is severe or one-sided, you feel faint, or you develop fever, chills, or unpleasant-smelling discharge. Do not wait for bleeding to start if you have severe symptoms. Contact the treating team if bleeding has not begun within the agreed timeframe or if you are worried that symptoms are changing.

Ask when bleeding might occur in your situation, whether waiting is suitable, which pain medicines you can use, how to recognise excessive bleeding, and when a scan or pregnancy test will confirm that the miscarriage is complete.