# What is an early miscarriage, and what are its causes and symptoms? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-is-early-miscarriage-causes-symptoms Language: en Category: pregnancy Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.400Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.400Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-is-early-miscarriage-causes-symptoms ## What is an early miscarriage? An early miscarriage is the unexpected loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. It is sometimes referred to as a spontaneous abortion. Most early miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy, to the extent that some women may not realize they were pregnant at all. Early miscarriage is estimated to be common, occurring in about 10% of confirmed pregnancies [\[2\]](). ## What are the main causes of early miscarriage? An early miscarriage can happen in any pregnancy and is often caused by the fetus not developing correctly. This is frequently linked to a genetic issue in the fetus, such as an extra or missing chromosome. In many cases, the cause of the miscarriage may be unknown [\[1\]](). Some potential factors that may increase the chance of a miscarriage include [\[1\]](): - Uterine or cervical problems. - Chronic illnesses, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). - Genetic issues in the fetus. - Pregnancy after age 35. - Smoking, drug use, or alcohol consumption. - Certain chronic (long-term) health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes. - Severe malnutrition. ## What are the symptoms of early miscarriage to look out for? Signs of an early miscarriage may vary from one woman to another and depend on the stage of the pregnancy. Signs of miscarriage can include [\[1\]](): - Vaginal bleeding or spotting, with or without pain. Some women may experience spotting early in pregnancy without it being a miscarriage. To be certain, you must contact a healthcare provider immediately if there is any bleeding. - Dark-colored vaginal discharge. - A sudden rush of fluid or tissue from the vagina. - Cramping or pain in the abdomen or lower back. If anything seems unusual or concerning, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider [\[1\]](). ## What happens after an early miscarriage? Treatment after a miscarriage often depends on when it occurs during pregnancy. If the miscarriage happens very early, you may not need any treatment. In some cases, some tissue may remain in the uterus. If there are no signs of infection, a healthcare provider may recommend waiting for the tissue to pass naturally [\[1\]](). If treatment is needed to remove the tissue, it may include [\[1\]](): - Medication. - A procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) or vacuum aspiration. D&C is a procedure in which the cervix is dilated, and the tissue is then scraped or suctioned from inside the uterus [\[3\]](). Regardless of when it occurs, pregnancy loss can be a difficult experience. Counseling may help in coping with grief. Later, if you decide to try to conceive again, speak with a healthcare provider to understand any potential risks. Many women who have experienced a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies [\[1\]](). For more information on this topic, you can visit [Early Miscarriage: Causes, Symptoms, and What to Expect (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Miscarriage]() - [About Pregnancy Loss (Before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy)]() - [D and C]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-is-early-miscarriage-causes-symptoms#answer