If you have been told you have a missed miscarriage, are experiencing bleeding or pain in early pregnancy, have had a spontaneous miscarriage, or are worried about incomplete miscarriage or retained pregnancy tissue, we can help you understand what is happening and what your options are. The Women’s Health Hub provides assessment, treatment planning and follow-up in Southeast Auckland.
A missed miscarriage means a pregnancy has stopped developing but bleeding or pain may not have started. Early-pregnancy bleeding does not always mean miscarriage, so symptoms, hCG results and ultrasound findings may need to be considered together before a diagnosis is confirmed.
After a confirmed miscarriage, management may include expectant care (waiting for the pregnancy to pass naturally), medical management with medication, or referral for surgical management. We explain the benefits, practical considerations and follow-up involved so you can make an informed choice based on your preferences and clinical circumstances.
Medical management is considered only after the pregnancy loss has been appropriately confirmed and the treatment is clinically suitable. We review your history, results and symptoms, explain the prescribed medicines, expected bleeding and cramping, pain relief and what to do if treatment does not work as expected.
When appropriate, medical management can often take place at home. You receive clear written instructions, an individual treatment plan and access to our 24/7 on-call clinical support. We also explain when symptoms require urgent hospital or emergency assessment.
Follow-up is tailored to your symptoms and results. This may include repeat hCG testing, an external ultrasound referral when clinically indicated, review of ongoing bleeding and confirmation that the miscarriage has resolved before the episode of care is closed.
Bleeding or pain in early pregnancy is common and does not always mean miscarriage. We assess your symptoms, arrange appropriate hCG testing or ultrasound referral, review results and explain when urgent evaluation is needed, including warning signs of ectopic pregnancy.
If bleeding continues after a spontaneous miscarriage or there is concern about retained pregnancy tissue, we can review your symptoms and results, arrange further assessment where indicated, and discuss expectant care, medical management or referral for surgical treatment.
Cramping and bleeding can be stronger than a usual period during medical management. Nausea, diarrhoea, chills and fatigue can also occur. Sometimes additional medication, an ultrasound or surgical treatment is needed if the miscarriage does not fully resolve.
Seek urgent medical assessment for very heavy bleeding, severe or worsening pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting or fever. We provide personalised safety-net advice and explain how to contact us during your care.
A missed miscarriage is usually confirmed using ultrasound findings interpreted in the clinical context. If the diagnosis is uncertain, further assessment may be needed before treatment is started.
After a confirmed early pregnancy loss, options may include expectant management, medical management and referral for surgical management. We discuss what each option involves and help you choose a pathway that fits your clinical circumstances and preferences.
When medical management is clinically suitable, treatment can often take place at home with written instructions, pain-relief advice, a follow-up plan and 24/7 on-call clinical support.
Ongoing bleeding, pain or concern about retained pregnancy tissue may require further clinical review, repeat hCG testing or an ultrasound referral. We review results and discuss whether expectant, medical or surgical management is most appropriate.
Follow-up depends on your symptoms, treatment and results. We may arrange hCG testing, ultrasound referral or further review to confirm that the pregnancy loss has resolved and there are no signs of ongoing pregnancy or other complications.
If you have just had a scan, have been told you have a missed miscarriage, or are still bleeding after a pregnancy loss, these pages explain the most common questions in plain language.
Missed miscarriage — understanding what happens next
