What should you know about third-trimester miscarriage?

A loss in the third trimester can involve bleeding, contractions, fluid leakage, reduced or absent fetal movement, or no obvious warning symptom. It is not something you can confirm at home. In hospital, clinicians assess your symptoms and check the pregnancy with examination and ultrasound. They will explain what they find and discuss the next steps with you.

The cause is not always clear immediately. You may be offered tests on blood, the placenta, or other tissue, depending on your circumstances and local practice. Grief, shock, anger, and numbness can all occur; emotional support is part of care, not an optional extra.

Contact your maternity unit or emergency service immediately if you have bleeding, fluid leakage, regular tightening, significant abdominal pain, or reduced fetal movement. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or unwell. Bring your pregnancy records if readily available. The team may discuss waiting for labour, medicines to help labour, or a surgical procedure when needed. A transvaginal ultrasound may be used when it can answer a specific clinical question.

Treat any suspected third-trimester loss as urgent. Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, collapse, severe pain, breathing difficulty, or confusion. Go to maternity assessment urgently for reduced movement, fluid leakage, contractions, or new bleeding, even if the amount seems small. A clinician can also assess fever or worsening pain after delivery or treatment.

Ask what the examination and scan show, which care options are available, how pain and bleeding will be managed, and what follow-up is planned. You can ask about memory-making or seeing your baby, testing for possible causes, emotional support, and who to contact after leaving hospital.