Risk of missed miscarriage by week

A missed miscarriage means a pregnancy has stopped developing but the body has not yet passed the pregnancy tissue. Bleeding and pain may be absent, and pregnancy symptoms can continue for a while. Calendar weeks are only an estimate because ovulation, implantation, and dating scans do not always align. A single scan may be inconclusive when the pregnancy is very early or dates are uncertain.

Diagnosis may require a repeat ultrasound after an appropriate interval, sometimes alongside pregnancy-hormone testing. A fall in symptoms alone cannot confirm miscarriage, and ongoing symptoms cannot confirm that development is continuing. Your clinician will interpret measurements and timing together.

Arrange medical review if you are worried about symptoms or have had a scan with uncertain findings. Write down the first day of your last menstrual period, cycle pattern, scan dates, bleeding, and pain. Avoid blaming yourself: everyday activity, exercise, or emotional stress is not usually the cause. If miscarriage is confirmed, choices may include waiting for the tissue to pass, medicines, or Surgical Management of Miscarriage; your clinician can explain each option.

Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, fainting, dizziness, fever, foul-smelling discharge, or feeling very unwell. These symptoms can indicate significant blood loss, infection, or another pregnancy complication. Use maternity or emergency services if symptoms escalate rather than waiting for a repeat scan.

Ask whether the scan is diagnostic or needs repeating, how pregnancy dating was calculated, and what symptoms should prompt emergency review. If miscarriage is confirmed, ask about expected timing, pain relief, follow-up, and Medical Management of Miscarriage as well as surgical care.