What are the symptoms of threatened miscarriage?

Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
Updated on April 13, 2025
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Threatened miscarriage refers to a small amount of vaginal bleeding occurring before 28 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, the amount of bleeding does not exceed that of a normal menstrual period, and the blood may be dark red or appear as bloody vaginal discharge. The color of the bleeding is not significant. No pregnancy tissue is expelled initially, and this may be followed by episodic lower abdominal pain or back pain, although these symptoms may not occur. During a gynecological examination, the cervix is closed, the membranes are intact, and the size of the uterus corresponds to the gestational age. After rest and treatment, the symptoms may disappear, and the pregnancy can continue. If the amount of vaginal bleeding increases or lower abdominal pain intensifies, accompanied by the expulsion of pregnancy tissue, it progresses to inevitable miscarriage. Inevitable miscarriage refers to a miscarriage that cannot be avoided. Based on the symptoms of a threatened miscarriage, the amount of vaginal bleeding increases, and episodic lower abdominal pain intensifies, possibly accompanied by vaginal fluid discharge. During a gynecological examination for inevitable miscarriage, the cervix is dilated, and embryonic tissue or the amniotic sac can be seen obstructing the cervical opening.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Early symptoms of threatened miscarriage

Premature birth refers to the condition where delivery occurs after the pregnancy has reached 28 weeks but before completing 37 weeks. Premature infants have a very high mortality rate. If a woman experiences prolonged back pain and a hardening of the lower abdomen during this time, it is due to contractions of the uterus. There can also be vaginal discharge of fluids, indicating early breaking of waters. Increased vaginal discharge, sometimes with traces of blood, might also indicate imminent premature birth; medical check-ups and treatment should be sought immediately.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What are some medications for threatened miscarriage to stabilize the pregnancy?

When threatened miscarriage occurs, it is necessary to use medications to sustain the pregnancy. Commonly used medications include the following types: The first type is progesterone medications, which have the effects of stabilizing the uterus and suppressing the immune system; the second type is estrogen medications, which can promote the proliferation of the endometrium, providing a favorable environment for the implantation and growth of the gestational sac; third, traditional Chinese medicine formulations, which also have the effects of stabilizing the uterus, promoting the development of the gestational sac, and reducing bleeding. In addition, it is necessary to conduct examinations based on the symptoms of threatened miscarriage to determine if there are any abnormalities in coagulation indicators. If the threatened miscarriage is caused by abnormal coagulation indicators, anticoagulant medications can be used for treatment.

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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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the threatened miscarriage is not completely miscarried?

When there is a threatened miscarriage and the miscarriage is not complete, the treatment method needs to be determined based on the size of the residual tissue. It is recommended to first go to the hospital for an ultrasound to evaluate the amount of residual tissue in the uterus. If the residual tissue is relatively small, it can generally be treated with oral medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which helps the uterus contract and aids in the expulsion of the remaining tissue. However, if the residual tissue is large and medication is ineffective, a repeat uterine curettage may be necessary. Therefore, when there is residual tissue in the uterine cavity, it must be dealt with promptly, otherwise it can lead to repeated vaginal bleeding, decrease the body's resistance, and increase the risk of anemia and infections.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is a threatened miscarriage the same as a biochemical pregnancy?

Threatened miscarriage and biochemical pregnancy are two important terms used to describe the state of pregnancy in early stages, but they are two completely different physiological states. First, threatened miscarriage refers to a situation where an intrauterine pregnancy has been confirmed and the gestational sac is unstable or affected by external stimuli, showing symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and spotting. These symptoms merely indicate signs of a possible miscarriage, and with timely treatment, it is possible to revert to a normal pregnancy. Second, a biochemical pregnancy is a type of natural miscarriage. It refers to early pregnancy where the HCG levels are relatively low, no clear gestational sac has formed, and upon re-examination, the HCG levels are found to decrease quickly, accompanied only by minimal vaginal bleeding.