Bleeding and Pain in Early Pregnancy

• You may be experiencing a miscarriage, which can be difficult. Your local GP will be able to provide the support and management that you need.  
• Some people bleed because they have an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the pregnancy is growing outside the uterus usually in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies are rare but can have serious impacts on health and fertility if not managed.  
• Some people have some bleeding around the uterus, this can be called implantation bleeding. Your doctor will find out about this with an ultrasound. 
• Other causes, such as polyps, infection or changes in your cervix may be the cause of bleeding or pain. 
• The reason may not be identified, and the pregnancy could continue as normal 

Medical Services: 

• Your GP or community health service  
• Eastern Health Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) 
• Nearest emergency department with a maternity service such as Angliss or Box Hill Hospital 
• ‘Nurse on Call’ – 1300 60 60 24  

Miscarriage happens when a pregnancy stops growing, before the baby (fetus) can survive outside the womb (uterus).  

Miscarriage is very common in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

One in five women, who know they are pregnant, will have a miscarriage before 20 weeks, and most of these will happen in the first 12 weeks. 

Women seek care at varying stages of a miscarriage. Some women experience symptoms of miscarriage such as vaginal bleeding or pain, whilst some women don’t experience any symptoms at all, and in this situation a miscarriage may be identified on a routine ultrasound or blood test. 

A combination of symptoms, examination findings, ultrasound and blood tests will confirm whether you have had, or are having a miscarriage. Some pregnancies require more than one ultrasound or blood test to diagnose a miscarriage.  

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to prevent miscarriage once it has begun.   
Management options aim to avoid heavy bleeding and infection whilst looking after your physical and emotional health.  
 

There are three management options for miscarriage: 

Expectant management  

You can choose to wait for the body to pass the pregnancy naturally. The size of the pregnancy and your past history may impact the safety and success of this option for you.  
Overall, expectant management will typically take longer than other management options. 

Medication management  
Medical management involves taking medications to help expel the pregnancy tissue. This can shorten the time to manage the miscarriage. 

Surgical management  
Surgical management involves a minor surgical procedure known as a suction dilatation and curettage (D&C). It is done in an operating theatre, under general anaesthetic. The surgery is performed via the vagina, and there is no cutting involved. The cervix (neck of the uterus) is gently opened, and the remaining pregnancy tissue is removed so that the uterus is empty. The surgery takes 5-10 minutes, but you can expect to be in the hospital for about four to five hours. 

Your doctor and/or midwife will help you decide which option is best for you based on your gestation, medical history, results from blood tests and ultrasounds and your personal preferences. 

Red Nose Miscarriage, stillbirth, baby, or child death support.  
Tel: 1300 308 307 (24/7 Australia-wide) 

Beyond Blue Mental Health support 
www.beyondblue.org.au  offer online webchat 24 hours.  
Tel: 1300 224 636 for counselling.  

The Pink Elephants Support Network  Support network for miscarriage and bereavement 
www.pinkelephants.org.au 
Tel: 1300 726 306 

Bears of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support   
Tel: 1300 11 HOPE