In this article:
What is a Missed Miscarriage?
A missed miscarriage is also known as a silent miscarriage. It happens when the baby stops growing in the womb, but your body doesn’t immediately recognise the loss. Your body may continue producing pregnancy hormones, so you could still feel pregnant with symptoms like nausea or breast tenderness.This condition is usually discovered during a prenatal check-up when an ultrasound shows no heartbeat or reveals that the baby is smaller than expected for the pregnancy stage. In some cases, the baby may have stopped growing very early, or the body may have reabsorbed the pregnancy tissue.
Common Signs of Missed Miscarriage
One of the hardest parts of this type of pregnancy loss is that it often comes without obvious symptoms. But there are some subtle symptoms of missed miscarriage you might notice:- Fading pregnancy symptoms: You may find that symptoms like morning sickness, breast soreness, or tiredness suddenly lessen or disappear completely.
- Spotting or unusual discharge: Some people notice light brownish or red vaginal discharge.
- No heartbeat on ultrasound: The ultrasound shows no heartbeat or a baby that’s smaller than expected for the gestational age.
- Gut feeling of uneasiness: Some individuals report feeling emotionally detached or sensing something is wrong, even without physical symptoms.
When Do Missed Miscarriages Happen?
These are most common between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy, though they can occur up to 20 weeks. At very early stages, you might notice a sudden stop in symptoms or an ultrasound might show an empty gestational sac (known as a blighted ovum).By 8 to 12 weeks, the loss of symptoms becomes more noticeable, and scans may show a foetus without a heartbeat. Your body can hold onto pregnancy tissue for days or even weeks after the baby stops developing. This is what makes it “missed,” as pregnancy hormones like hCG can remain in your system and keep pregnancy tests positive.
Why Do Missed Miscarriages Happen?
These are the main causes of a missed miscarriage:- Genetic abnormalities: The most common reason is chromosomal issues in the baby. These abnormalities are usually random and not inherited, meaning they’re not caused by anything you did.
- Hormonal issues: Problems with hormone levels can sometimes affect pregnancy development, though this is less common.
- Maternal health conditions: Certain conditions, such as infections, blood-clotting disorders, or hormonal imbalances, can increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Uterine or cervical problems: Structural issues in the uterus or cervix may contribute to pregnancy loss in some cases.
- Molar pregnancy: In rare cases, a molar or partial molar pregnancy occurs. It is a condition where abnormal cell growth in the fertilised egg or placenta leads to early pregnancy loss.
- Age factors: The risk increases if the mother is older than 35 or if the father is over 40.
Prevalence of Missed Miscarriages
Missed miscarriages make up about 1 to 5 per cent of all pregnancies, though exact numbers are hard to pin down since many go unnoticed. In general, miscarriages occur in 10 to 15 per cent of known pregnancies, with most happening in the first trimester.Emotional Impact of a Missed Miscarriage
Finding out about a missed miscarriage can be heartbreaking since it often comes without warning. You might feel a mix of shock, sadness, or even guilt, wondering why you didn’t notice something was wrong. These feelings are normal, but it’s important to understand that a missed miscarriage is not your fault. The lack of physical symptoms can make it harder to process, as you may have felt pregnant right up until the diagnosis.A missed miscarriage can be hard on your mental health, but grieving is different for everyone. Give yourself time to process what you are feeling and the loss you have been through. Asking for help shows strength, and you do not have to go through this alone.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on What is a Missed Miscarriage and How Does it Happen?
- What is the main cause of a missed miscarriage?
The most common cause is a problem with the baby’s chromosomes. This can prevent proper development and lead to the loss of the pregnancy. - How do you confirm a missed miscarriage?
A missed miscarriage is usually confirmed with an ultrasound. It shows whether the baby has stopped developing or if there is no heartbeat. - What are the first signs of a missed miscarriage?
Early signs can be very subtle. You might notice a decrease in pregnancy symptoms like nausea or breast tenderness. Some may experience light bleeding or mild cramping, but often there are no obvious signs at first.