How Common Is a Silent Miscarriage?

In a missed miscarriage, a pregnancy has stopped developing but the body has not yet passed the pregnancy tissue. Pregnancy symptoms may continue for a time, fade gradually, or change for reasons unrelated to miscarriage. A home test cannot confirm whether a pregnancy is developing normally. Ultrasound is commonly used to assess the pregnancy, and a repeat scan or blood tests may be advised when the findings are not yet clear. Nothing you felt, ate, or did necessarily caused this outcome.

Arrange follow-up with an obstetric or gynaecology team to discuss waiting for the tissue to pass, medicines that help the uterus empty, or a procedure to remove the tissue. Your clinician can explain expected bleeding, pain relief, follow-up testing, and what to do with pregnancy loss symptoms. Emotional support from a trusted person or counsellor can be useful, and grief can be present even when the diagnosis was unexpected.

Seek urgent medical help for heavy bleeding, severe or worsening pain, faintness, shoulder pain, fever, chills, or discharge with an unpleasant smell. These symptoms can signal bleeding, infection, or another urgent pregnancy problem. Contact your care team if you are worried, even if symptoms are mild, because symptom intensity does not confirm whether a miscarriage has occurred.

Ask how the diagnosis was confirmed, whether another scan is needed, which management options suit your health, and how follow-up will check that the uterus has emptied. You can also ask when it is medically reasonable to try for another pregnancy.