Frequently asked questions about miscarriage

Most miscarriages are not caused by anything you have or have not done. However, there are factors that can increase the risk.

No. Some women have light spotting or bleeding that doesn’t lead to a miscarriage.

Stress is not linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.

The first step is to visit your GP and ask them to refer you to a specialist doctor at your local hospital.

Unfortunately, miscarriages are common. We don’t always know why they happen so it can be difficult to prevent them. However, there are some things you can do to help reduce the risk.

The most common symptom of a miscarriage is usually vaginal bleeding. Contact your GP, midwife or 111 if you think you’re having a miscarriage.

If you think you may be having a miscarriage, you’ll be offered some tests to confirm what’s happening.

If you have a miscarriage, some hospitals may offer you a simple funeral with a burial or cremation.

If you miscarry, your body will go through some changes. You may experience some bleeding and tummy cramps.

If and when to try for another baby after a miscarriage is a personal decision, but there are a few things to be aware of.

We have answered some of the most commons questions women and couples have asked our midwives about what causes pregnancy loss.

In most cases, an ultrasound scan will show whether you are still pregnant but, in some cases, you may not be able to find out straight away.

If you’ve had a late miscarriage or 3 miscarriages in a row, you’ll be offered some tests to try and find out why.

Having a miscarriage is distressing and it’s natural to worry about it happening again. However, if you have miscarried before it doesn’t mean that it will happen again.