How Long does a Miscarriage Last

A miscarriage can be termed as a natural or spontaneous abortion that results in termination of pregnancy. It can be one of the worst experiences for a woman, not only due to the bleeding and physical pain associated with it, but also due to the feeling of losing an unborn child. It generally occurs within 24 weeks of pregnancy, with most of the cases occurring within the first 12 weeks. Miscarriages have been more frequently observed in women over 35 years of age. Before discussing how long does a miscarriage last, let's take a look at some of the causes or the risk factors for miscarriages.

Causes of Miscarriage
There can be several causes for a miscarriage, chromosomal abnormality of the embryo being one of the most common miscarriage causes. Chromosomal defects of the embryo may or may not have any association with the genetic disorders of the parents. Sometimes, genetic defects of the embryo can either be a matter of chance, while at other times, they can be carried by either or both of the parents. Chromosomal defects of the embryo usually cause miscarriages in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage taking place during the 3rd trimester is more commonly related to certain illnesses of the mother and not to chromosomal defects. Such illnesses include poorly controlled diabetes, erythematosus, infection caused by herpes simplex virus and chlamydia, systemic lupus, high blood pressure, rubella, etc. Hypothyroidism can be another risk factor for miscarriages.

Sometimes, a miscarriage may be a result of hormonal imbalances taking place in a mother's body. Progesterone is a crucial hormone for sustaining pregnancy, as it prepares the lining of the uterus to hold the fertilized egg. So, a low level of progesterone can result in termination of pregnancy. Abnormalities of the uterus and cervix, either present from birth, or developed at a later age, also accounts for almost 15% of miscarriages. Autoimmune response can be one of the most important reasons for miscarriage, where the immune system of the mother recognizes the baby as a foreign object, as half of its genetic materials come from the father. Autoimmune diseases and presence of certain antibodies can also increase the risk of a miscarriage.

How Long Does a Miscarriage Last?
The first sign of a miscarriage is spotting blood or mild bleeding. But for many women, bleeding is very common in early pregnancy, and which not necessarily indicates a miscarriage. In all, it has been observed that almost 50% of the cases of bleeding during early pregnancy result in miscarriages or some other complications. Along with bleeding, a miscarriage is often accompanied by mild or severe abdominal pain or cramping. In addition to these, one may also feel low back pain. Bleeding, as well cramping, usually worsens until the body completely expels the pregnancy tissues and placenta.

A miscarriage can last for several days or weeks depending on a number of factors. It is mainly determined by the time period taken by the body to eliminate all the pregnancy tissues. For some women, bleeding and cramping can settle within a week, while in others it can last for about 3 weeks. The majority of the cases of miscarriage usually settle within 2 weeks, though in certain instances, miscarriages have been observed to last for only a single day. It may be possible for some women to experience miscarriages without much bleeding and difficulties, if the embryo is reabsorbed by the body.

Generally, heavy and prolonged bleeding takes place in case of an incomplete miscarriage, where the body fails to expel the remaining products of pregnancy. So, the duration of miscarriage can vary from woman to woman, but if it lasts for more than two weeks, it is better to inform your physician. This is because, bleeding and abdominal cramps lasting more than two weeks is an indicator of incomplete pregnancy, which means that some pregnancy tissues are still present in your body. This in turn can cause infection and other complications. An incomplete miscarriage may need medication or surgery for removing the remaining pregnancy tissues.

Thus, the question 'how long does a miscarriage last' does not have a definite answer, as it is mostly determined by how soon the mother's body can remove the pregnancy tissues and placenta. Though bleeding and physical pain of a miscarriage usually disappear within a few weeks, the emotional trauma seems to continue for a much longer time. To ensure that recurrent or multiple miscarriages do not take place, consult your physician and take some precautionary measures. Eating a healthy diet, regular exercising, maintaining normal weight, and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes are some measures that would help you in the process. However, multiple miscarriages require some tests to be performed to find out the exact causes in order to prevent their recurrences.