A miscarriage is the undesired loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. This condition is most common prior to the 12th week of pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, between 10 and 20 percent of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage; however, it is also noted that the actual number is higher because some miscarriages occur before the woman knows she is pregnant. A miscarriage is an emergency and should be treated as such.
Cramping
Lower back and lower abdominal cramping and/or pain are signs of a miscarriage. The cramping may come and go or be constant. It may be dull or sharp. If this cramping is accompanied by any other signs of miscarriage or a reduction in pregnancy symptoms, such as fatigue, breast tenderness or morning sickness, contact your doctor immediately for a check-up.
Vaginal Bleeding
The bleeding associated with miscarriage can be anywhere from spotting to heavy bleeding. While light bleeding during early pregnancy is common, it still warrants a call to your obstetrician. Generally, the bleeding associated with a miscarriage is dark brown or bright red. You may notice clots mixed in with the blood. Additionally, some women experience a gush of clear or pink fluid during a miscarriage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If possible, any fluid, clots or tissue passed from the vagina should be collected in a clean container and brought to the emergency room for the physician to examine.
Infection
Some miscarriages cause an infection in the uterus. Such miscarriages are called septic miscarriages and the signs of the infection may be the only warning of the impending miscarriage. The signs of this type of miscarriage include a thick, foul vaginal discharge, fever, flu-like body aches and chills. Any signs of infection warrant a trip to the emergency room, as this is a life threatening condition.
