A missed miscarriage is when a baby dies or does not develop in the womb but there are no symptoms such as pain or bleeding as the baby has not been physically miscarried yet. This is very similar to an early miscarriage.
Sometimes it is also referred to as a silent or delayed miscarriage. The lack of symptoms means that a missed miscarriage often comes as a total shock to parents.
Why does a missed miscarriage happen?
Often, the cause of miscarriage is unknown. It is also unknown why some miscarriages happen physically within a short time of a baby dying and others take much longer, such as in the case of a missed miscarriage.
Why didn’t I know?
Your pregnancy hormones will usually remain high for some time meaning you will still feel and have symptoms of pregnancy. A missed miscarriage usually happens before you have started to feel baby move and without any pain or bleeding, you wouldn’t know it had happened.
What are the symptoms?
This type of miscarriage doesn’t have any symptoms and you will still very much feel the typical signs and symptoms of pregnancy. This is why the diagnosis is often so shocking.
How is it diagnosed?
A missed miscarriage is usually first picked up on an ultrasound scan, typically through your routine 12-week scan or 20-week scan. The scan may show a sac with a baby inside that is smaller than it should be or without a heartbeat.
How is a missed miscarriage treated?
The physical management may vary and depend on the stage of pregnancy as well as your wishes. Your doctor will chat with you about what the best option for you personally is.
Typically, there are three management options:
• Natural – whereby you wait for your body to pass the baby in its own time, this is typically recommended in the first trimester
• Medical – medication is used to speed up the process
• Surgical – an operation is performed to remove the pregnancy
The emotional side of a missed miscarriage and coming to terms with such upsetting and shocking news should also be recognised, and you should be directed to the support services available to you, should you need them. Alternatively, there's lots of miscarriage support you can turn to. You are not alone.