Spotting and missed miscarriage

A missed miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy has stopped developing but the body has not yet passed the pregnancy tissue. Some people have spotting or bleeding; others have no bleeding or pain. The amount or colour of blood does not identify the cause.

Your clinician may ask when the spotting started, how it is changing, and whether you have cramps, pain, dizziness or fever. Ultrasound and pregnancy details help assess the situation. A pregnancy test may remain positive and cannot provide the answer by itself.

Contact your maternity or gynaecology team for advice about new spotting in pregnancy, especially if it continues or is accompanied by cramps. Note the timing and amount, use the recommended sanitary product if monitoring is advised, and follow instructions for assessment. If a missed miscarriage is confirmed, ask about waiting, medicine or a procedure.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, faintness, dizziness, fever, chills, shoulder-tip pain or feeling very unwell. These symptoms can require prompt assessment and should not be judged by spotting frequency alone.

Ask what may explain the spotting, whether you need an ultrasound or repeat assessment, how to monitor bleeding, and which symptoms mean you should attend emergency care. Ask who to call if bleeding changes outside clinic hours.