Miscarriage vs Period: How to tell the difference?

When you want to get pregnant, there is an obvious worry and anxiety every time you feel a cramp or see spotting. The tension could also stem from the fact that cramps and spotting or bleeding could be early miscarriage symptoms that you could get after just 2 weeks of implantation. The same goes for those who’ve missed a period or had a late period, which could be one of the symptoms of missed miscarriage in the first trimester.

In such cases, how does one know the difference between period and miscarriage? Let us look at the differentiating features.

• How is a miscarriage similar to periods?
• Miscarriage vs period: Tips for identification
• What Does Miscarriage Blood Look Like?
• Menstrual cycle after pregnancy loss
• What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?

A miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy that occurs when a foetus is not able to survive before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Many a times women aren’t even aware of their pregnancies which result in miscarriage. Now you may be wondering how is this possible? Well, sometimes the egg implants itself in the uterus for a brief period and then dislodges, bringing an end to the pregnancy. In such a situation, most women would not even realise that they were pregnant.

In most cases, miscarriages occur in the first six weeks of pregnancy, and tend to become less likely to happen as you go further along in the pregnancy. Hence, the first trimester is typically when there is a higher risk of miscarriages.

If a miscarriage occurs before the person is even aware that they are pregnant, they may find it difficult to tell whether they’ve had an early period or miscarriage. That’s because there are some symptoms that are common for both an early period and a miscarriage. They are:

• Bleeding, heavy bleeding or bleeding longer than usual

• Cramping

• Pain

Also, here are some signs to tell if you’ve had a miscarriage:

1. If you notice a decrease in or absence of pregnancy symptoms that you experience before such as nausea, vomiting, or sore breasts.
2. If you feel sick, like having a fever. This is more likely to happen if you’ve had a miscarriage due to an infection.
3. If your period arrives less than 2 weeks after you expected it. In such a scenario, it could be difficult to ascertain whether you’ve had a late period or a miscarriage as pregnancy loss at such an early stage doesn’t usually involve heavier or longer bleeding.

We know that cramping and bleeding are typically the common symptoms of early miscarriage. However, these aren’t the only signs that miscarriages show. Here are some other unusual symptoms that you may experience:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• If you notice fluids, larger-than-normal blood clots, or tissue passing from your vagina

Other factors to consider are:

It’s important to note that you can have a miscarriage any time after fertilisation occurs. In cases where the person hasn’t realised that they were pregnant, it could be mistaken for a period easily. However, after the first eight weeks or so, the delay in your period will be very evident and you’ll able to tell the difference between period and miscarriage.

You know your body better than anyone and would have a fair idea about how long and heavy your period is usually. With a miscarriage, typically, the bleeding is heavier and lasts longer than a period.

Moreover, as your cervix starts to dilate, you’ll experience more painful cramping than usual.

This is an important factor that will help you identify the difference between miscarriage and period clots. During miscarriage, bleeding can appear brown and similar to coffee grounds. It can also range from pink to bright red in colour. The flow may alternate between light and heavy, or even stop altogether for a brief period before starting again.

A miscarriage before eight weeks of pregnancy may feel and look the same as a heavy period. However, if you miscarry later on in the pregnancy, you’re most likely to notice fetal or placental tissue.

The evidence you find on your menstrual product such as a sanitary pad can tell a lot about what’s happening. For instance, heavy bleeding, pieces of tissue or large blood clots on your pad could signal that you’re going through that something more than just a heavy period. If you notice any of these signs or you find that your tampon or pad is soaking through after every hour or so for more than two hours continuously, then you must contact a doctor immediately.

Just as there is no uniformity in how women get their periods, it’s the same for miscarriages. The symptoms you experience may not necessarily apply for everyone. However, there are a few common signs that most women experience. These will help you identify the difference between miscarriage and period clots.

Miscarriage bleeding can range from light pink or red, brown, or black in colour. It could be grainy like coffee grounds or just like a normal period. Miscarriage bleeding happens to be heavier than a period and can last longer too. You may experience less clotting if the loss occurs early in your pregnancy. The more your pregnancy has progressed, the denser and larger your clots might be.

If you notice that you’re bleeding different than usual, you must inform your doctor immediately.

After a miscarriage, a person can expect their next period after around four to six weeks, with ovulation occurring somewhere after two weeks. You’ll notice that your vaginal discharge may be slippery and clear for the next few days.

While it’s true that pregnancy loss affects your menstrual cycle, there are a host of other factors that can cause menstruation patterns to change. Hence, if you notice any changes in your period, it cannot be assumed as proof of a miscarriage. For instance, it could also be endometriosis. It is a condition when tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus grows somewhere else in the body. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include:

• menstrual cramps that tend to worsen over time

• if you have spotting and bleeding between periods

• pain in the lower back and pelvis

It is recommended that you get medical assistance when you notice any unusual changes in your menstrual cycle. And it’s always better to be prepared to manage the bleeding. Use superior quality products such Always pads which are thoughtfully designed for ultimate ease, comfort, and protection. Try the Maxi Thick pads as they are equipped with unique anti-leakage barriers in the front, centre, and back for maximum coverage. Its extra absorbent core is designed to absorb liquid, so you don't feel a thing. It has a clean and dry topsheet, which ensures you stay dry and protected all day.

For days when you have heavy bleeding, you could opt to use an Always tampon as well a pad for added protection. Try the Always Tampax Compak tampons which comes with a smooth, compact applicator for discretion, and a built-in protective skirt to help prevent leakage for up to eight hours.

A chemical pregnancy, also known as very early miscarriage, is when pregnancy loss happens shortly after implantation. It usually results in heavy bleeding and lasts no longer than your typical period. In such cases, it’s possible that a late or heavy period could, in fact, be a chemical pregnancy.

Curious about the signs ovulation is over? Our guide offers clear insights to help you understand your cycle better.

Any unexpected or unusual pain that you experience must be reported to your doctor. It could be an early miscarriage or an underlying medical condition. If you notice any other symptoms such as below, you must immediately see a doctor:

• Tissue passing through vagina

• Blood clots passing through vagina

• Painful uterine contractions

• Dizziness

Takeaway
Identifying the difference between period and miscarriage may be difficult. However, whether it is early period or miscarriage, if you notice heavy or unbearable pain, you must consult a doctor.

Wondering can you get pregnant before your period? Learn how ovulation impacts your chances.

FAQs

Yes, it is possible. Sometimes, the egg implants itself in the uterus for a brief period and then dislodges, bringing an end to the pregnancy. This is a situation in which, most women would not even realise that they were pregnant. In such cases, it is difficult to tell whether it’s an early period or miscarriage.

Early miscarriage can be like normal period bleeding. The difference between miscarriage and period clots is that miscarriage bleeding can be grainy like coffee grounds. It also happens to be heavier than a period and can last longer too. You may experience less clotting if the loss occurs early in your pregnancy. The more your pregnancy has progressed, the denser and larger your clots might be.

If your period arrives less than 2 weeks after you expected it, there are chances that it’s not an early period but a miscarriage. The bleeding could have been longer and unusually heavy and grainy, with maybe some clotting.

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