Yes, a miscarriage can occur without bleeding. While vaginal bleeding is a common symptom associated with miscarriage, it's not always present. Many women experience a miscarriage without any bleeding or spotting at all. This type of miscarriage is often called a "missed miscarriage" or "silent miscarriage."
Understanding Missed Miscarriages
A missed miscarriage occurs when the fetus dies in the uterus, but the body doesn't immediately expel the pregnancy tissue. There may be no noticeable symptoms like bleeding or cramping. The only indication might be a lack of further pregnancy development or symptoms, detected during an ultrasound scan, which will show the absence of a fetal heartbeat.
Other Signs of Miscarriage (Even Without Bleeding)
Although bleeding isn't always present, other symptoms may indicate a miscarriage, including:
- Abdominal cramping or pain: This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.
- Loss of pregnancy symptoms: Nausea, breast tenderness, or other early pregnancy symptoms may disappear suddenly.
- Vaginal discharge: This discharge might be stringy and whitish-pink in color.
It's crucial to remember that experiencing some or none of these symptoms doesn't definitively confirm or rule out a miscarriage. A medical professional should be consulted for proper diagnosis and care. An ultrasound scan is essential to confirm a miscarriage and monitor for complications.
Sources:
- Several sources confirm that miscarriages can happen without bleeding. For example, Medical News Today and Ada both explicitly state that a miscarriage can occur without bleeding. The Miscarriage Association details missed miscarriages, highlighting the lack of bleeding as a common characteristic. Parents.com similarly describes missed miscarriages where the pregnancy loss is only discovered through ultrasound.
