What are the symptoms of a threatened miscarriage?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on March 21, 2025
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When threatened miscarriage occurs, pregnant women often experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. However, at this time, the fetal heartbeat and embryo are generally still in good condition, and timely treatment to preserve the pregnancy can be effective. But if the patient experiences a significant amount of bleeding and severe pain, accompanied by backache and a sense of heaviness, it may indicate a threatened miscarriage. It is advised to go to a hospital for an ultrasound examination and to have blood tests to check progesterone levels to determine if treatment to preserve the pregnancy is needed. If, after such treatment, vaginal bleeding stops and abdominal pain disappears, then the pregnancy can typically continue.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is threatened miscarriage dangerous?

There are various causes of threatened miscarriage, so the danger of a threatened miscarriage depends on the cause. If the reason for the threatened miscarriage is due to abnormal fetal chromosome development, gynecological inflammation, or endocrine dysfunction, then it is necessary to receive timely treatment. If fetal development abnormalities are detected, the pregnancy must be terminated promptly and cannot continue. However, if the threatened miscarriage is simply due to low progesterone levels, then generally, the pregnancy can be successfully maintained by timely supplementation of progesterone, and this situation is not severe.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What should be done for a threatened miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage, as the name suggests, is a precursor to miscarriage, typically manifesting in several ways: first, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen; second, vaginal bleeding. The presence of these two symptoms often indicates signs of a miscarriage. Regarding the management of threatened miscarriage, whether to proceed with treatment to preserve the pregnancy primarily depends on the severity of the condition and the value of preserving the pregnancy. First, for minor cases of threatened miscarriage, if there is only slight bleeding and mild abdominal pain, medication can be used to inhibit uterine contractions and reduce bleeding. Second, if there is significant vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain, and if the embryo has already been confirmed to have ceased developing, preserving the pregnancy is generally not recommended. It is advised to terminate the pregnancy promptly or let it proceed naturally. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What is the cause of nausea in threatened miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage refers to signs of miscarriage during pregnancy, and some women with threatened miscarriage may experience nausea. This situation includes several reasons: First, threatened miscarriage is not the same as a natural miscarriage; women are still pregnant, hence early pregnancy reactions such as nausea are normal. If the nausea is mild, rest and observation are advisable. However, if severe, it is important to visit the hospital for an examination to rule out hyperemesis gravidarum. Second, some cases of threatened miscarriage are caused by gastrointestinal inflammation, such as acute gastritis causing uterine contractions, which then leads to threatened miscarriage. The nausea in these situations is due to acute gastritis, so the nausea is a symptom caused by the condition that leads to the threatened miscarriage, not a direct result of the threatened miscarriage itself.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can you eat chili peppers with a threatened miscarriage?

When a threatened miscarriage occurs, pregnant women should not eat chili peppers. This is because chili peppers are spicy and stimulating foods, and consuming them can easily lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and reflexively cause uterine contractions, which may result in miscarriage. After a threatened miscarriage occurs, it is essential to pay attention to diet. It is recommended to eat light, easy-to-digest foods, such as thin porridge, soft noodles, or soft bread. Additionally, it is important to increase the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. These supplements of vitamins and proteins can enhance the immune capacity of pregnant women and strengthen their resistance, which is also helpful for successful pregnancy maintenance.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How long should one stay in bed for a threatened miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage, as the name implies, is the appearance of signs of miscarriage, such as lower abdominal pain, bleeding, and a feeling of heaviness. For threatened miscarriage, it is appropriate to choose bed rest for treatment, but absolute bed rest is not necessary during threatened miscarriage. Prolonged bed rest is not always beneficial for the recovery of a woman’s health. Being bedridden for a long time can cause constipation, prevent vaginal bleeding from being expelled, and lead to mental stress. It is generally recommended to get out of bed for light activities during the day, aside from normal sleeping hours. Simple, light activities will not worsen the miscarriage. Generally, after a threatened miscarriage, it is advised to rest in bed for 3-5 days at most, and during this period, it is necessary to get out of bed intermittently.