ABSTRACT
The symptoms of miscarriage are also the symptoms of other problems in pregnancy, many of which right themselves and do not result in the pregnancy ending. Many early miscarriages, before/around the time the first period is missed, are not experienced as one because women may not have known they were pregnant. Slightly later miscarriages go undetected and are experienced as being like a period but a bit later and a bit heavier than usual. Scans have quietly revolutionised the experience of miscarriage and most women who are admitted to hospital threatening to miscarry, will have an ultrasound scan. While ultrasound is used extensively, some would say professionals rely too heavily on technology to the detriment of the development and use of clinical skills. Telling someone that they are miscarrying is never easy, but it does help if you are not surrounded by successfully pregnant women and if there is an agreed policy on communicating the result of the scan.
