Missed Miscarriage: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Pregnancy can be characterised as a hopeful, expectant and dream-filled journey. Unfortunately, for some women, the journey can become tragic with what's referred to as a missed miscarriage or even a silent miscarriage. While a normal miscarriage has symptoms like heavy bleeding or cramping that indicate loss, the missed miscarriage is one that can go unnoticed quietly, without visible signs.

This absence of symptoms can be extremely troubling for pregnant parents since the diagnosis usually comes as a surprise while undergoing a normal ultrasound. Knowing missed miscarriage symptoms, what could cause it and what can be done about it can relieve anxiety and bring much-needed comfort to an emotionally challenging situation.

What is a Missed Miscarriage?

Missed miscarriage occurs when the development of the fetus or embryo stops, but the body fails to expel the pregnancy tissue. Because there are usually no initial signs of warning, it is also known as a silent miscarriage.

In most cases, women continue to feel that they are pregnant because the body still produces pregnancy hormones for some time. A missed miscarriage is typically identified on a scan where there is no fetal heartbeat or where the fetus has not developed properly.

This is different from other miscarriages, in which symptoms such as bleeding, passing tissue or severe cramping are more evident.

Causes of Missed Miscarriage

The exact cause of a missed miscarriage is often difficult to determine, but several factors can play a role:

  • Hormonal imbalance: Low levels of progesterone or other hormonal issues could prevent the pregnancy from developing.
  • Structural defects: Uterus abnormalities, fibroids or scarring can occasionally interfere with embryo development.
  • Lifestyle or environmental causes: Severe infections, certain medications or toxic exposure.

It's also worth realising that in the overwhelming majority of cases, a missed miscarriage is not the mother's fault (or lack of it). Reassurance is key; self-blame only makes the emotional pain worse.

Symptoms and Signs of Missed Miscarriage

An unrecognised miscarriage can be complicated because no signs can be observed. However, some women can detect some changes:

  • No indication of any pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or breast tenderness, which might resolve suddenly.
  • No fetal heartbeat or growth on an ultrasound.

It is worth noting that such changes are not always a sign of miscarriage. Diagnosis is possible only through a medical examination, most commonly by ultrasound.

Diagnosis

Physicians usually make the diagnosis of a missed miscarriage with:

  • Ultrasound scan: Shows no fetal heartbeat or stalled fetal development.
  • hCG blood tests: Indicate hormone levels are not increasing as they should.

Since this diagnosis has a lot of emotional baggage, physicians will repeat tests or scans in a few days to ensure before speaking about treatment. 

Treatment Options

Treatment following a missed miscarriage is subject to medical recommendations, individual choice and emotional readiness. The primary methods are:

  • Expectant management: Permitting the body to expel the pregnancy tissue naturally over time. This takes days to weeks.
  • Management of medication: Employing drugs like misoprostol to facilitate the passage of tissue more rapidly.
  • Surgical management (D&C – dilation and curettage): A short surgical procedure that evacuates tissue from the uterus, allowing quicker physical recuperation.

All these alternatives have advantages and factors to be considered. Physicians work with women and couples to facilitate these options, weighing medical safety against emotional comfort.

Book an online appointment with Dr. Ankita Wanchoo for Pregnancy & Gynecology related issues.

Coping Emotionally

Aside from the physical, a missed miscarriage can be deeply grieving. Women experience shock, grief or guilt and their partners can also fight with the loss. Ways of coping are:

  • Talking to family members, friends or a supportive partner.
  • Talking with a counsellor or attending a support group for pregnancy loss.
  • Permitting yourself to mourn and process the loss on your own schedule.

The good news is that the majority of women who have a missed miscarriage are able to have successful pregnancies in the future.

When to Call a Doctor?

Following a missed miscarriage diagnosis or treatment, call a doctor immediately if you have:

  • Excessive bleeding (soaking two or more pads an hour).
  • Severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis
  • Fever or chilliness

It's also crucial to call if you're experiencing prolonged depression, sadness or anxiety. Mental health is just as essential as physical health.

Compassionate Care at Cloudnine

Our approach at Cloudnine is that a missed miscarriage is not merely a medical diagnosis; it is an emotional experience. What separates us from others is our holistic approach that combines clinical expertise with compassionate care. From high-tech diagnostic labs to tailored treatment plans, our experts make each woman feel cared for at each stage. In addition to medical care, we also offer emotional counselling and support services, understanding the importance of healing both body and mind. Cloudnine's purpose is to provide each woman with comfort, clarity and confidence as she moves forward towards brighter days.

Conclusion

Dealing with a missed miscarriage can feel all-consuming and somewhat complex physically and emotionally. While navigating through it is never easy, learning about the causes of missed miscarriages, potential silent miscarriage symptoms, and treatment options can help you put everything into perspective at a difficult time. With appropriate medical management and emotional support, it is also possible to heal from this painful loss, and most women will go on to have successful and healthy pregnancies. You are not alone, and respectful and understanding support is always possible to access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I had a missed miscarriage?

Missed miscarriage can only be diagnosed by medical tests, typically an ultrasound and occasionally a blood test. Symptoms, however, are not true indicators.

2. How long does a missed miscarriage take to pass naturally?

It may be several days or even weeks before the body eliminates pregnancy tissue. Others may prefer surgical or medical interventions for faster resolution.

3. What is the most typical week for a missed miscarriage?

A majority of missed miscarriages happen during the first trimester, between weeks 6 and 12.

4. What are the signs of a missed miscarriage beginning?

A missed miscarriage may begin with a sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms like nausea or breast tenderness, but usually without heavy bleeding or cramping. The only reliable way to confirm it is through an ultrasound showing no heartbeat or growth.

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