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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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 Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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What to do about a threatened miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage refers to the occurrence of a small amount of vaginal bleeding before 28 weeks of pregnancy, often dark red, with no pregnancy tissue expelled, and may include pain in the lower abdomen and back. During a gynecological examination, the cervix is closed and the membrane is unruptured, and the pregnancy can continue if the symptoms disappear after rest and treatment. In handling a threatened miscarriage, it is first necessary to analyze the causes of the miscarriage. Common causes include embryonic factors, mainly chromosomal abnormalities. If the miscarriage is caused by chromosomal abnormalities, it is mostly unavoidable. Maternal factors, such as systemic diseases in pregnant women, include increased blood pressure, severe anemia, high fever, etc. Pregnancy can mostly continue with treatment of the cause. Abnormalities in the reproductive organs, such as uterine malformations, submucous and intramural fibroids, adenomyosis, etc., can lead to miscarriage. With appropriate treatment to preserve the pregnancy, there is hope to continue the pregnancy. If due to endocrine abnormalities, such as luteal phase deficiency or hypothyroidism, supplementing with progesterone and thyroid hormones can mostly allow the pregnancy to continue. Identifying the cause of a miscarriage is extremely important, as different causes can lead to different pregnancy outcomes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a threatened miscarriage have a transvaginal ultrasound?

Whether or not to perform a transvaginal ultrasound during a threatened miscarriage mainly depends on the symptoms of the threatened miscarriage. A threatened miscarriage refers to the signs of a potential miscarriage, with common symptoms including vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain. If there is significant abdominal pain, a transvaginal ultrasound can be performed to determine the position of the gestational sac, or an abdominal ultrasound can also be done. If there is vaginal bleeding, performing a transvaginal ultrasound in this case may aggravate stimulation to the uterus and can easily lead to vaginal inflammation. In such cases, an abdominal ultrasound is generally recommended. Therefore, a transvaginal ultrasound can be performed if there is only abdominal pain during a threatened miscarriage, but it should not be done if there is concurrent vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is a threatened miscarriage considered a miscarriage?

Threatened miscarriage is not actually a miscarriage. If handled properly, it is possible to successfully preserve the pregnancy. However, if not treated in time, it could develop into an inevitable miscarriage. During a threatened miscarriage, the fetal heartbeat and embryonic tissue are generally normal, and there may be minor vaginal bleeding or slight lower abdominal pain. At this time, it is crucial to go to the hospital for an ultrasound and have blood tests for progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin. If the fetal heartbeat and embryo are normal, then treatment to preserve the pregnancy is needed. At this time, it is important to rest, reduce activity, and avoid any vigorous exercise.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Will there be stomach pain in a threatened miscarriage?

In general, when threatened miscarriage occurs, pregnant women often experience abdominal pain. This pain is usually a dull ache in the lower abdomen, similar to the pain experienced during menstrual cramps. If the symptoms of threatened miscarriage are severe and the pain is quite pronounced, miscarriage may occur. This type of pain is mainly caused by contractions of the uterus. Besides abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding often accompanies this condition, which can also lead to miscarriage. When threatened miscarriage occurs, it is essential to rest in bed, reduce physical activity, avoid emotional stress, and consider visiting a hospital for an ultrasound to observe the development of the gestational sac.