Being told that a pregnancy has stopped developing can be a lot to take in, especially when you may still feel pregnant or have had very little bleeding. A missed miscarriage means the pregnancy has stopped developing but the body has not yet passed the pregnancy tissue.
At The Women’s Health Hub, we can help you make sense of the diagnosis, understand your options and decide what feels right for you medically and personally.
They found no heartbeat — what happens now?
If a scan shows no heartbeat, the next step depends on the measurements, how certain the pregnancy dates are and whether the diagnosis is confirmed. Sometimes a repeat scan is needed before a miscarriage can be diagnosed with certainty.
The pregnancy is measuring behind — does that mean I’m miscarrying?
Not necessarily. Dates can sometimes be different from expected, especially early in pregnancy. If the scan raises concern, repeat ultrasound or hCG testing may be recommended before any treatment decision is made.
Do I have to wait for the miscarriage to happen naturally?
No. Once a miscarriage has been confirmed, options may include waiting for the pregnancy tissue to pass naturally, medical management of miscarriage with medication, or referral for surgical management. We will explain what each option involves and support you to choose the pathway that best fits your circumstances.
How long does a missed miscarriage take?
There is no exact timeline. Some women begin bleeding naturally within days, while for others it may take longer. If waiting feels physically or emotionally difficult, you can contact us to discuss whether another option would be more suitable.
What follow-up will I need?
Follow-up depends on your symptoms, scan findings and the management option you choose. This may involve hCG testing, ultrasound or further clinical review to make sure the miscarriage has resolved safely.
Request a confidential appointment or return to our miscarriage and early pregnancy loss care page.