Symptoms of threatened miscarriage and missed abortion

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 26, 2025
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In the event of threatened miscarriage or fetal developmental arrest, the first symptom to appear is vaginal bleeding, which is a very important sign. Mainly, the uterus expels the fetus that has stopped developing based on the principle of natural selection. Another symptom that may occur after embryonic arrest is pain in the lower abdomen, which is also common. Furthermore, after embryonic arrest, the hormones secreted in the body will gradually decrease, leading to a reduction or disappearance of early pregnancy reactions such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and breast tenderness in pregnant women. It is crucial to address fetal arrest promptly and to regularly conduct prenatal check-ups during pregnancy to monitor the health of the fetus.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should be noted for threatened miscarriage?

After the occurrence of threatened miscarriage, it is crucial to rest, and if possible, bed rest is recommended to reduce activity. Additionally, local hygiene must be maintained, frequently changing underwear to keep the area dry and fresh, preventing bacterial infection. Intercourse should be strictly avoided during a threatened miscarriage. It is important to observe vaginal bleeding and discharge. If any tissue-like materials are expelled, they should be preserved and brought to the hospital for examination to determine the nature of the expelled material. Nutrition should be enhanced by consuming light, easily digestible foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How many months will it take for a threatened miscarriage to stabilize?

Threatened miscarriage refers to the situation where abdominal pain and bleeding occur during pregnancy due to instability of the gestational sac or fetus. Most threatened miscarriages occur in the early stages of pregnancy, hence, the likelihood of experiencing threatened miscarriages during the mid or late stages of pregnancy is relatively low. Most threatened miscarriages stabilize after the first three months of pregnancy, which is approximately 12 weeks. By this time, the fetus has moved from the pelvic cavity into the abdominal cavity, and the placenta has formed. With the support of the placenta, the fetus can grow more stably. In early pregnancy, the instability of the gestational sac makes it susceptible to external influences, which can easily lead to threatened or even spontaneous miscarriage.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does a threatened miscarriage require a uterine curettage?

Threatened miscarriage, as the name suggests, refers to signs indicating a potential miscarriage. Whether a curettage is necessary in cases of threatened miscarriage mainly depends on the pregnancy outcome. For threatened miscarriage, treatment is chosen based on the patient's wishes. If the patient desires to continue the pregnancy and try to preserve it, medication can be used initially for conservation. However, if a woman experiencing threatened miscarriage does not wish to continue the pregnancy, she can opt for artificial intervention to induce the miscarriage. Miscarriage can be induced through oral medication or through a curettage procedure. Thus, curettage is not necessarily required for a threatened miscarriage, and even if the pregnancy is to be terminated, medication can be used as an alternative. Therefore, there is no inevitable connection between threatened miscarriage and curettage.

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Written by Wang Xiu Mei
Obstetrics
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How long does threatened miscarriage require bed rest?

Threatened miscarriage generally requires bed rest for about a week. A threatened miscarriage isn't an inevitable or natural miscarriage and may not necessarily result in the loss of the pregnancy. If the bleeding is minor and timely measures are taken to preserve the pregnancy, most cases won't progress to inevitable miscarriage. However, if measures to preserve the pregnancy are unsuccessful and not taken promptly, and if the bleeding is heavy and abdominal pain severe from the start, it will generally result in a miscarriage naturally within one to three days. During the treatment to preserve the pregnancy, it is crucial for the patient to rest in bed as much as possible, minimize physical activity to reduce the chances of miscarriage, and strictly avoid sexual activity to reduce stimulation to the uterus and fetus. Dietary nutrition should be increased, including more proteins, vitamin-rich foods, and high-fiber foods. It is important to actively prevent constipation, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, as well as cold, greasy foods, and maintain stable emotions.