How common is miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common, occurring in up to 1 in 5 known pregnancies, and most happen in the first trimester. Because many early losses occur before a pregnancy is even confirmed, the true figure is likely higher. You are far from alone in this experience.

Did I cause my miscarriage?

Almost certainly not. Miscarriage is not caused by working, exercising, lifting, travelling, stress, sex or normal daily activities. About half are due to chromosomal differences in the baby that occur by chance and cannot be prevented. Please try not to blame yourself.

ERPC stands for evacuation of retained products of conception, a minor surgical procedure to gently remove pregnancy tissue remaining in the womb, usually under anaesthesia. It is offered when tissue is retained, when bleeding is heavy, or by choice, and is successful in about 95 to 99% of cases.

How long should I wait before trying again?

Many couples can try again once bleeding has stopped and they feel physically and emotionally ready; periods usually return within four to six weeks. There is no fixed rule, so discuss timing with your doctor, who can also advise on any care for future pregnancies.

When should I seek emergency help?

Seek urgent care for very heavy bleeding (soaking a pad an hour or passing large clots), severe pain, fever or foul-smelling discharge, or feeling faint. In Singapore you can go to a hospital urgent O&G centre, such as the one at KKH, at any time.

Miscarriage in Singapore: Signs, Types, Management & Support

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 2 Jul 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks, and it is sadly common, happening in up to 1 in 5 known pregnancies, most often in the first trimester. If this has happened to you, please know it is almost never your fault. Miscarriage is not caused by everyday activities like working, exercising, lifting, travelling or stress; about half are due to chromosomal differences in the baby that could not have been prevented. Signs include vaginal bleeding and cramping. Management may be expectant (natural), medical (with medicine) or surgical. Seek urgent care for very heavy bleeding, fever or severe pain. Emotional support is available, and grieving is valid.

If you are reading this because you are worried about, or have experienced, a miscarriage, we are so sorry. Losing a pregnancy can be deeply painful, and your feelings, whatever they are, are valid. You are not alone: miscarriage happens in up to 1 in 5 known pregnancies, most often in the early weeks.

One of the most important things to understand is that a miscarriage is almost never caused by anything you did or did not do. This guide gently explains the signs, the types of miscarriage, the options for management available in Singapore, and where to find support for your body and your heart.

At a glance

Ways a miscarriage may be managed
Approach	What it involves	Typical success in clearing the womb
Expectant (natural)	Waiting for the body to pass the pregnancy tissue naturally, with monitoring	About 50 to 80% with adequate time (up to 8 weeks)
Medical	Medicine (such as misoprostol, sometimes with mifepristone) to help the womb empty	About 73 to 91%
Surgical (ERPC / evacuation)	A minor procedure to remove tissue from the womb, usually under anaesthesia	About 95 to 99%

It is not your fault

This deserves to be said clearly: a miscarriage is almost never caused by anything the mother did. Singapore health sources are explicit that miscarriage is not caused by eating any particular food, by stress, by working, travelling, exercising, lifting, or having sex.

About half of early miscarriages happen because of a chromosomal difference in the developing baby, a random event that could not have been predicted or prevented. The risk also rises naturally with age. Please be gentle with yourself; blaming yourself is understandable but not deserved.

Signs and symptoms

The most common signs of a possible miscarriage are:

Vaginal bleeding, which may be light spotting or heavier with clots
Abdominal or lower back cramping, similar to or stronger than period pain
A reduction in pregnancy symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness

Importantly, light bleeding or cramping does not always mean a miscarriage is happening, and many women go on to have healthy pregnancies. Some miscarriages have no symptoms at all and are found at a scan (a “missed miscarriage”). Any bleeding in pregnancy should be checked by a doctor.

Types of miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage: bleeding occurs but the pregnancy is still ongoing on scan.
Complete miscarriage: all the pregnancy tissue has passed and the womb is empty.
Incomplete miscarriage: some tissue remains in the womb.
Missed (silent) miscarriage: the pregnancy has stopped developing but there are no symptoms yet; it is found on ultrasound.
Recurrent miscarriage: three or more consecutive losses, which may prompt further investigation.

Management options in Singapore

If a miscarriage is confirmed, your doctor will discuss the options with you. There is often no single “right” choice, and your preferences matter.

Expectant management: waiting for the body to pass the tissue naturally, with monitoring. This works for about 50 to 80% of women given enough time.
Medical management: medicine to help the womb empty, successful in about 73 to 91% of women, with bleeding and cramping over several days.
Surgical management (ERPC, evacuation of retained products of conception): a minor procedure to remove tissue, usually under anaesthesia, successful in about 95 to 99% of women.

Your doctor will recommend an approach based on the type of miscarriage, how far along you are, bleeding, and your wishes.

Emotional support and recovery

Grief after a miscarriage is real, and there is no “right” way to feel. Some people feel intense sadness, others feel numb, guilty, or anxious about the future. Partners grieve too. Allow yourself time, and lean on people you trust.

Physically, bleeding usually settles over a week or two, and periods often return within four to six weeks. Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to try again and about any future care. If sadness, hopelessness or anxiety persist or feel overwhelming, please reach out to your doctor; counselling and support are available, including through hospital medical social workers and the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) helpline.

When to seek urgent care

Go to a hospital urgent O&G centre or emergency department immediately if you have:

Very heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour, or passing large clots)
Severe abdominal pain
Fever, chills or offensive-smelling vaginal discharge (possible infection)
Feeling faint, dizzy or unwell

In Singapore, KKH runs an Urgent O&G Centre (Women’s Tower, Basement 1) for exactly these situations. Do not wait if bleeding is heavy or you feel very unwell.

Related guides

Best Gynaecology Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
gynaecology clinics directory
Morning sickness
Confinement & postnatal recovery
Prenatal screening tests

Sources

Last updated 22 June 2026. Prices are typical market ranges gathered from the cited sources and vary by clinic, doctor and individual case — they are not quotes. This guide is general information, not medical advice; always consult a qualified, MOH-accredited doctor before any treatment.

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