A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy, usually before 20 weeks gestation. It can happen for a number of reasons and it's not unusual for it to be very early (early pregnancy loss). A miscarriage can cause bleeding, pain or cramping in the pelvic area, back or lower abdomen. The bleeding may look like a heavy period, but it could also be lighter, pink or red, brown or black in color and have clots that are denser and larger than normal. It might last longer than a regular period as well.
Some women don't have any symptoms during a miscarriage. This is called a missed miscarriage or a silent miscarriage. This happens when the fetus dies but the products of conception remain in the uterus. This type of miscarriage usually happens after the first trimester, and can be difficult to diagnose.
Bleeding during a miscarriage can vary in color and size from light to very heavy. It might also be accompanied by cramping, or a feeling of weakness or exhaustion.
Whether or not you have any symptoms, it's important to contact your doctor if you think you're having a miscarriage. Your doctor can talk to you about your symptoms, do a physical exam and do blood tests to check your hormone levels. They may also do an ultrasound or a procedure like a hysterosalpingogram to see inside your uterus. The good news is that most of the time, a miscarriage has nothing to do with anything you did or didn't do.