What Is a Miscarriage? Understanding Pregnancy Loss Before 20 Weeks

Miscarriage is one of the most sensitive topics in women’s health, yet it’s far more common than most people realize. Even though millions of women experience miscarriage every year, many still struggle to understand what it means, why it happens, and how to heal from it. At Hera Clinics, specialists meet countless women and couples searching for compassionate support and accurate information during one of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.

Understanding miscarriage medically, emotionally, and physically helps reduce fear, guilt, and confusion. Whether you’re learning for yourself, supporting someone you care about, or spreading awareness, this expanded guide will help you better understand pregnancy loss before 20 weeks from every angle.

What Is a Miscarriage?

A miscarriage refers to the natural loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks, often caused by the embryo or fetus stopping development. Most miscarriages happen early—sometimes so early that they resemble a delayed period.

While emotionally painful, miscarriage is often a sign that the pregnancy wasn’t developing as expected. It's important to remember: miscarriage is common, and it’s rarely caused by something the mother did or didn’t do.

What Happens During a Miscarriage?

In most cases, miscarriage occurs due to chromosomal abnormalities, meaning the embryo wasn’t genetically healthy enough to continue growing. The body naturally ends the pregnancy and starts the process of pregnancy loss.

Common miscarriage signs and symptoms include:

• Unexpected vaginal bleeding
• Lower abdominal cramps
• Back pain
• Loss of early pregnancy symptoms

The doctors at Hera Clinic, especially Dr. Sairandhri Kate-Shinde, encourage anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek medical advice early for proper care and guidance.

What Are the Different Types of Miscarriage?

1. Threatened Miscarriage

A threatened miscarriage occurs when there are early symptoms such as light vaginal bleeding or mild abdominal cramps but the pregnancy may still continue normally. The cervix remains closed, and an ultrasound often shows a fetus with a heartbeat. This stage requires monitoring, rest, and sometimes follow-up scans to ensure the pregnancy remains healthy. Many women who experience a threatened miscarriage go on to have successful pregnancies.

2. Inevitable Miscarriage

In an inevitable miscarriage, the symptoms become stronger and more concerning. Bleeding becomes heavier, cramping intensifies, and the cervix begins to open. These signs indicate that pregnancy loss cannot be prevented. An ultrasound may show that the fetus is no longer viable or that the gestational sac is moving toward the cervix. Medical care focuses on ensuring the mother’s safety, managing discomfort, and preventing complications.

3. Incomplete Miscarriage

An incomplete miscarriage means that some pregnancy tissue has passed, but some remains inside the uterus. This can cause continuous cramping, heavy bleeding, and discomfort. Medical intervention is often recommended to remove the remaining tissue—either through medication or a minor procedure to prevent infection or further bleeding.

4. Complete Miscarriage

A complete miscarriage occurs when all pregnancy tissue naturally leaves the body. Bleeding and cramping usually decrease soon afterward. A follow-up ultrasound is typically done to ensure the uterus is clear. Physically, recovery may happen quickly, but emotional healing may take time, and support is essential during this period.

5. Missed Miscarriage

A missed miscarriage happens when the embryo or fetus stops developing, but there are no outward symptoms. There is usually no bleeding or cramping, and many women do not realize anything is wrong until an ultrasound shows the absence of a heartbeat or halted fetal growth. Treatment options include waiting for the body to pass the tissue naturally, medication, or a minor surgical procedure. This type of miscarriage can be especially difficult emotionally because there are no physical warning signs.

6. Chemical Pregnancy

A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that happens before the fifth week of pregnancy. Many women mistake it for a delayed period. This occurs when the fertilized egg implants but does not develop properly. Even though the pregnancy does not progress, the emotional impact can still be significant, especially for those trying to conceive.

7. Recurrent Miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage refers to having two or more consecutive pregnancy losses. This may be due to hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, uterine abnormalities, or medical conditions like thyroid disorders. Women experiencing recurrent losses usually require a thorough medical evaluation to identify underlying causes. Early diagnosis and personalized treatment can greatly improve future pregnancy outcomes.

8. Septic Miscarriage

A septic miscarriage is rare but serious. It occurs when there is an infection in the uterus during or after a miscarriage. Symptoms include fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge, and intense abdominal pain. Immediate medical care is crucial to prevent complications.

Why Do Miscarriages Happen?

A majority of miscarriages in early pregnancy stem from genetic problems. But other factors can also contribute:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Thyroid or diabetes disorders
• Uterine abnormalities
• Age-related risks
• Severe infections
• Lifestyle factors like smoking or alcohol

The medical team reminds families that everyday actions like walking, mild exercise, or routine stress do NOT cause miscarriage.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Miscarriage?

Several factors may increase the risk of miscarriage, such as:

• Age: Women above 35 experience higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities.
• Previous Miscarriage: One miscarriage doesn’t increase risk significantly, but multiple miscarriages may indicate deeper issues.
• Chronic Health Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disease, PCOS, autoimmune conditions, and hypertension can increase risk.
• Weight Extremes: Being significantly underweight or overweight can affect hormone balance.
• Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and a poor diet may increase risks.

At Hera Clinic, doctors often recommend pre-pregnancy counseling to identify and manage these risk factors early.

How Doctors Diagnose a Miscarriage

Early diagnosis helps protect physical and emotional health. Common diagnostic methods include:

• Ultrasound Scan: Checks fetal heartbeat, growth, and gestational sac development.
• Beta-HCG Blood Tests: Healthy pregnancies typically show rising HCG levels. Falling or plateauing levels may indicate pregnancy loss.
• Pelvic Examination: Checks for cervical dilation and signs of miscarriage.
• Progesterone Tests: Low progesterone levels may suggest problems with pregnancy support.

The compassionate care at Hera Clinic ensures that patients receive a clear explanation of test results, next steps, and emotional support throughout the process.

Treatment Options After a Miscarriage

Treatment varies depending on the type of miscarriage, symptoms, and personal preference.

• Expectant Management (Natural Miscarriage): Allowing the body to pass the pregnancy naturally. This method may take several days to weeks.
• Medical Management: Medication that helps the uterus clear out remaining tissue safely.
• Surgical Treatment (D&C Procedure): A quick, controlled procedure when bleeding is heavy, tissue remains, or natural/medical management is unsuccessful.

Doctors at Hera Clinic prioritize patient comfort, safety, and emotional wellbeing above everything else.

Healing After a Miscarriage — Physical & Emotional Recovery

Recovery is a blend of physical healing and emotional support. Physically, most women recover within 1–2 weeks, though spotting may continue for a little longer.

Physical recovery may include:

• Rest
• Hydration
• Avoiding intense exercise temporarily
• Watching for heavy bleeding or fever
• Regular follow-up checkups

Emotional recovery is equally important: Many women experience grief, disappointment, guilt, or even confusion. Partners may also struggle silently. At Hera Clinic, counseling often helps couples navigate grief, communication, and hope for the future.

Can a Miscarriage Be Prevented?

Not all miscarriages can be prevented, especially those caused by genetic issues. But you can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy by:

• Taking folic acid before conception
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing medical conditions
• Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs
• Getting early prenatal care
• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
• Reducing chronic stress

The preventive care programs at Hera Clinic are designed to support women from preconception through pregnancy.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding
• Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Fever or chills
• Recurrent miscarriages

Early medical care helps prevent complications and protects reproductive health.

Understanding Miscarriage Helps You Heal

Miscarriage is an emotional and often heartbreaking experience. But understanding it—medically and emotionally—helps lighten the burden of guilt and fear. With compassionate care, early diagnosis, and expert support from specialists led by Dr. Sairandhri Kate-Shinde, the best gynecologist in Marunji, Pune, women and couples can heal physically and emotionally, regain strength, and move forward with renewed hope.

Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks is not your fault, and you are not alone. Knowledge, support, and empathy create a foundation for healing and for healthier pregnancies in the future. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of early pregnancy loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hera Clinic for timely guidance and personalized care. Your wellbeing matters, and help is just a call away.