Late miscarriage is a miscarriage that occurs between weeks 14 and 20.
1. What is late miscarriage?
Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, before 13 weeks. A woman’s pregnancy is divided into three stages:
- First trimester: 1 – 13 weeks.
- Second trimester: 14 – 24 weeks.
- Third trimester: week 25 onwards.
If a miscarriage happens between weeks 14 and 20, your doctor may call it “late.” About 2 to 3 percent of miscarriages happen in the second trimester, and miscarriages that happen after 20 weeks are called stillbirths .
2. Symptoms of late miscarriage
Most miscarriages occur because of unclear fetal development. There may be no signs of any problems and the loss may only become apparent when an ultrasound scan shows no fetal heartbeat .
Some other pregnant women may experience changes in symptoms, including:
Fetal movement is low
During the second trimester, the fetus begins to move in ways that the mother can feel. If the movement decreases or stops, it can indicate an abnormality.
Bleed
Light bleeding or spotting is fairly common during pregnancy. However, heavier bleeding may indicate that the cervix is opening without labor contractions. This problem is called cervical insufficiency and can lead to pregnancy problems, premature birth, or miscarriage.
Other signs of cervical insufficiency include a feeling of pelvic pressure, new back pain, cramping, and changes in vaginal discharge .
Cramps
Regular cramps, similar to menstrual cramps or abdominal pain, can be a sign that labor is starting.
Pass through tissue or mucus
Sometimes, when a miscarriage occurs, tissue, blood, or mucus will leak from the vagina.
Feeling exhausted or lightheaded
Fatigue and dizziness are common during any stage of pregnancy. However, if you feel unwell, see your doctor right away.
3. When should I see a doctor immediately?
A miscarriage that occurs between weeks 14 and 20 is not necessarily a medical emergency. However, see your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes to the above signs.
Other signs that medical intervention is needed include:
- Very heavy vaginal bleeding , such as bleeding through a large patch every hour for 1–2 hours.
- Severe nausea.
- Severe pain.
- High fever.
- Vaginal discharge has an unpleasant odor.
After a miscarriage, the fetus may remain in the uterus and this causes dangerous changes in the body. It increases the risk of bleeding significantly. For this reason, pregnant women, especially those who have had a miscarriage, must contact their doctor immediately.
4. Diagnosis of late miscarriage
Your doctor may determine a late miscarriage when an ultrasound shows no fetal heartbeat and may recommend a blood test to measure pregnancy-related hormone levels.
When diagnosed with miscarriage, the pregnant mother may be prescribed treatment according to some of the following methods:
Medication: Pregnant women may be prescribed misoprostol, a prostaglandin-like substance, which helps to completely remove fetal tissue and placenta from the uterus.
Procedure: If the pregnant woman cannot take medication, suction curettage is the procedure recommended by the doctor. This is also the preferred treatment method for pregnant women with heavy bleeding, signs of infection, etc.
5. Prevent miscarriage
To reduce the risk of miscarriage, pregnant women should have regular check-ups according to the doctor’s appointment, at least once a month, and see a doctor immediately if there are any unusual signs. Take medication as directed by your doctor, supplement iron, calcium and folic acid, and eat a nutritious diet. During pregnancy, absolutely do not use alcohol and stimulants. Build a healthy diet, full of nutrients and exercise or do gentle yoga exercises to help relax the mind.
