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Expert Q&A
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| By Michael D Benson, MD Attending Physician, Highland Park Hospital, IL | ||
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What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
The chief symptom of a potential miscarriage is vaginal bleeding. Perhaps one-third of women will have some bleeding in the first trimester though only half will go on to miscarry. Contrary to popular opinion (and some childbirth texts) mild cramping without bleeding and the disappearance of morning sickness or breast tenderness are common occurrences in healthy pregnancies and are not symptoms of an impending miscarriage. Though there is little that can be done to prevent a miscarriage, obstetricians can investigate the health of the embryo in those who are bleeding through ultrasounds and serial blood pregnancy tests (HCGs). An ultrasound that demonstrates an embryonic heartbeat or blood pregnancy test levels that rise when drawn two days apart can be reassuring.
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