Reproductive health
Medicines for Miscarriage
The loss of a pregnancy in the first 23 weeks, most often in the early weeks — common and usually not caused by anything the woman did, with care and support available.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Miscarriage?
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks, and most happen in the first 12 weeks. It is common — many early pregnancies end this way, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
- How it is treated: Care depends on the situation and the woman's wishes.
- Self-care: Most miscarriages cannot be prevented and are not caused by normal activity, work, sex or stress.
- When to seek help: Contact your GP or early pregnancy unit for bleeding or cramping in pregnancy.
What it is
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks, and most happen in the first 12 weeks. It is common — many early pregnancies end this way, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. The usual signs are vaginal bleeding and cramping tummy pain, though bleeding in early pregnancy does not always mean a miscarriage. Most miscarriages are caused by chance problems with the developing baby's chromosomes and are not the result of anything the woman did or did not do — an important message, as many people wrongly blame themselves. Recurrent miscarriages are less common and may prompt further investigation.
How it is treated
Care depends on the situation and the woman's wishes. Where a miscarriage is confirmed, the options for managing it include waiting for it to complete naturally, taking medicine to help the process, or a minor procedure to remove the remaining pregnancy tissue — all discussed sensitively with the early pregnancy team. Bleeding in early pregnancy is assessed, often with a scan and blood tests, sometimes to check the pregnancy is developing or to exclude an ectopic pregnancy. Emotional support is a crucial part of care, and information on future pregnancies is offered. Recurrent miscarriage is investigated to look for treatable causes.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Miscarriage
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Most miscarriages cannot be prevented and are not caused by normal activity, work, sex or stress. General healthy measures before and during pregnancy (such as folic acid, not smoking and limiting alcohol) support a healthy pregnancy. Emotional support and time to grieve are important.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Contact your GP or early pregnancy unit for bleeding or cramping in pregnancy. Seek urgent care (999/A&E) for very heavy bleeding, severe pain, feeling faint, or shoulder-tip pain (which can indicate an ectopic pregnancy).
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Miscarriage: frequently asked questions
Did I cause my miscarriage?
Almost certainly not. Most miscarriages are due to chance chromosomal problems in the developing baby, not anything the woman did — normal activity, work, sex and stress do not cause miscarriage.
Does bleeding in early pregnancy always mean miscarriage?
No. Bleeding in early pregnancy is common and does not always mean a miscarriage, but it should be assessed, often with a scan, to check the pregnancy and exclude an ectopic pregnancy.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG126 — Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage
- NHS — Miscarriage
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