What are the symptoms of a threatened miscarriage?

Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
Updated on May 31, 2025
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The symptoms of threatened miscarriage primarily include a small amount of vaginal bleeding and mild lower abdominal pain or sacral pain. Threatened miscarriage refers to the occurrence of a small amount of vaginal bleeding before 28 weeks of pregnancy, often dark red in color, with no pregnancy tissue expelled. This may be accompanied by intermittent lower abdominal pain or back pain, or it may occur without any pain symptoms. During a gynecological examination, the cervix is closed, the membranes are intact, and the uterine size matches the gestational age. After rest and treatment, the symptoms may disappear and the pregnancy can continue. If the amount of vaginal bleeding increases or the lower abdominal pain worsens, accompanied by dilation of the cervix and expulsion or shedding of pregnancy tissue, it can progress to an inevitable miscarriage, which then requires prompt and active management to terminate the pregnancy.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can threatened miscarriage be treated with medical abortion?

Threatened miscarriage only indicates signs of a potential miscarriage and does not necessarily result in a spontaneous miscarriage. During a threatened miscarriage, medication can be used to preserve the embryo. If one does not wish to continue the pregnancy upon signs of a threatened miscarriage, intervention can be managed like a normal miscarriage. In early pregnancy, if one chooses to have an abortion, there are two methods available: medical abortion and surgical abortion, which are not significantly different from each other. For the majority of typical women, medical abortion is an option during a threatened miscarriage, though it is notably painful and can be prolonged. Patients must be clearly informed about the specific procedures and drawbacks. Surgical abortion, on the other hand, tends to be simpler and less painful.

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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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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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What foods are good for threatened miscarriage?

When experiencing signs of threatened miscarriage, pregnant women should choose foods rich in vitamins and pay attention to a light diet, eating food that is easy to digest and absorb. They should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, as well as raw and cold seafood or other barbecue and hot pot foods, to prevent diarrhea and aggravate the miscarriage. When choosing foods, one can opt for soy products, fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, eggs, and walnuts. Additionally, it is advisable to select foods that are rich in vitamin E, which supports pregnancy, such as some soy products. It is also beneficial to choose foods containing roughage but avoid cold foods and thermogenic foods like longan, as longan is very heaty and should be avoided as it might induce miscarriage.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
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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.