Research indicates that up to 25 percent of pregnancies will end in miscarriage. A miscarriage refers to spontaneous pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation. Although most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (before the 12th week of pregnancy), 1 percent to 5 percent of pregnancies will end in miscarriage during the second trimester.
Anyone who is pregnant is at risk of experiencing this type of pregnancy loss. Below, you'll find information on what symptoms to look out for if you believe you might be experiencing a miscarriage, as well as what to do in response.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of miscarriage include vaginal bleeding, the passage of tissue and pain in the abdomen, pelvic region, and back, explained Kecia Gaither, M.D., MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in OB-GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine and director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.
"Sometimes, a patient may even have a heavy menstrual period. In this case, the individual might not even be aware that they were pregnant and are now having a miscarriage," Gaither said