Threatened miscarriage

A threatened miscarriage refers to vaginal bleeding, with or without cramping, in early pregnancy at a time when an ultrasound scan still shows a developing pregnancy with cardiac activity, if the pregnancy is far enough along to assess this. It does not mean that a miscarriage is certain to follow; many pregnancies with early bleeding continue without further problems. There is no medicine that has been shown to reliably prevent a miscarriage from happening once bleeding has started, and your clinical team will usually advise monitoring, sometimes with a repeat scan, rather than intervention. Contact your clinic if bleeding is heavy, or attend the nearest hospital emergency department if you have severe pain, soaking blood loss or feel unwell.

Also known as: bleeding in early pregnancy, spotting in pregnancy

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.