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Vaginal bleeding is the warning sign that precedes nearly all miscarriages. However, it does not always lead to miscarriage. Many women experience spotting in early pregnancy and most do not miscarry.

Regardless, a woman should contact a physician if she experiences any bleeding, even light spotting, during pregnancy or if she suspects she is having a miscarriage. A pregnant woman should also contact her physician is she notices tissue or clot-like material passing from the vagina. This type of material should be collected in a clean container and brought to a physician for examination, when possible.

Other signs and symptoms of a miscarriage may include:

• Pelvic pain (usually worse than menstrual cramps)
• Weight loss
• White-pink mucus or discharge
• Painful contractions (occurring every five to 20 minutes)
• Frequent bowel movements
• Brown or bright red bleeding or spotting
• Decrease in signs of pregnancy (e.g., morning sickness or loss of breast tenderness)