Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. According to the University of Michigan Health Center, miscarriages are very common. In fact, one in four pregnancies result in a miscarriage. Miscarriages occur because the fertilized egg is not developing normally. The cause for the abnormal development is not known; however, stress, exercise or sex are generally not causes of a miscarriage. Signs of early miscarriage vary from woman to woman. Some women may even have a miscarriage before a pregnancy is identified. The body commonly expels early pregnancies and further medical procedures are often not required.
Bleeding
Bleeding from the vagina is a warning sign of miscarriage. Bleeding may be light or heavy, regular or intermittent. Color of the blood varies, from rusty brown to bright red. Light bleeding during the early stages of pregnancy is normal and doesn't identify a miscarriage has occurred. Bleeding may be confused with a woman's menstrual cycle. Still, women who have abnormal or excessive bleeding after a positive pregnancy test should seek medical attention to confirm if a miscarriage has occurred. Occasionally a dilation and curettage, or D&C, may be required to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue; however, this is not common in very early miscarriages. Women should monitor bleeding at home; chills or a fever should be reported to a medical professional.
Cramping
Pain may occur in the stomach, lower back or pelvis. The pain may be similar to menstrual cycle cramps or be more severe. The American Pregnancy Association states that heavy cramps similar to contractions of the uterus may occur; the contractions are felt every five to 20 minutes, signaling a miscarriage is occurring.
Decreased Breast Tenderness and Nausea
Common early signs of pregnancy are nausea and breast tenderness. Nausea occurs between two and eight weeks after conception reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Breast tenderness may begin as early as a few days after conception. According to miscarriagesupport.org, the loss of these two early pregnancy symptoms is a sign a miscarriage may have happened. The website also reports women may have the general sensation of simply no longer being pregnant.
