
Miscarriage + Loss
Miscarriage + Pregnancy Loss
Miscarriage, also known as pregnancy loss, is a spontaneous and typically unexpected loss of a pregnancy before the baby can survive outside of the womb.
Our Top Miscarriage Articles
- Beth’s ectopic pregnancy story
- Our favorite miscarriage gifts
- Why you don’t have to attend a baby shower after miscarriage

Medical terms are at odds with the way most (though not all) women experience such loss. Scientifically, the baby is called an embryo or a fetus, and the miscarriage is referred to as an abortion. But, to most pregnant women, this is a personal loss that causes emotional grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, and self-blame. For the record, self-blame is totally unnecessary.
How many pregnancies end in miscarriage? Estimates suggest that up to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, though many before a woman knows she’s pregnant. You can join the 1 in 4 community on Instagram.
Signs of Miscarriage
There are a few warning signs that you can look out for. Many pregnant women panic when they notice bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy.

Call your doctor if you experience red bleeding, but don’t panic. There are many reasons bleeding can occur during pregnancy that don’t result in pregnancy loss.
There are many potential causes of bleeding in early pregnancy, including implantation bleeding, subchorionic hematoma, and more.
Miscarriage Symptoms
Symptoms can include any or all of the following:
- light spotting to heavy bleeding
- back pain
- blood clots
- cramps.
A potential sign can be loss of regular pregnancy symptoms, but pregnancy symptoms themselves are not directly associated with miscarriage. Pregnancy symptoms may also regulate due to hormonal changes, and some women experience pregnancy with no symptoms at all.
Miscarriage Causes
There are a few causes that can induce a miscarriage, but Undefining Motherhood wants to be clear on one main point first: the miscarrying mother is not at fault. Exercising, drinking coffee, going to work, or having sex do not induce miscarriages.
Rather, miscarriages are almost always caused by genetic or physiological circumstances.
- Fetal genetic abnormalities: sometimes, during conception, chromosomes don’t work together to form a baby that can survive outside the womb
- Physical anomalies within the mother’s body: things like uterine abnormalities, blood clots, pools of blood in the gestational sac, major autoimmune disorders, et cetera
- Extreme trauma: car accidents and other tragic events that injure the womb

Note that trauma must be extreme. Many women endure experiences like bad car accidents and still carry a successful pregnancy. Research estimates that 50% of miscarriages are caused by genetic fetal abnormalities.
The Truth About Pregnancy Loss
Miscarriage is a tragic event that affects millions of women and their partners. At Undefining Motherhood, we want you to feel like you can openly talk about your loss and get to know other mothers who share similar experiences.
You are not alone!


What’s a Rainbow Baby? Rainbow Baby Meaning & What It’s Like to Have One
Rainbow Babies Having a child after pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death can be both exciting and terrifying. A child born after these traumatic events is usually called a rainbow baby. But while this rainbow baby definition is simple, the actual meaning of having a rainbow baby is much more complex. After suffering from recurrent […]
20+ Popular TTC and Infertility Podcasts for Hopeful Parents
If you’re like me, when you become fixated on something, take infertility for example, you do all the research humanly possible. Some of this research includes deep diving into reputable sources, while other research involves watching hours of Infertility Tiktok (yep, that’s a thing) and listening to tons of infertility podcasts. Don’t get me wrong–I […]
A Love Letter to New Loss Parents
A List of Advice and Resources that Helped Me in the Weeks and Months After Losing a Child First, I’m deeply sorry if you have a reason to be reading this essay. Whether you’ve lost a child or are Googling for ways to support a friend or family member who has experienced loss, I know […]
Does Morning Sickness Mean You’re Less Likely to Have a Miscarriage?
During the first trimester, most of us experience various pregnancy symptoms that make us feel like crap. Intermingled with the joy of growing our families is a delightful array of breast tenderness, fatigue, and, the best of the best: morning sickness. Blechhhhh. When the dreaded feelings of nausea kick in, most of us jump on […]
Celebrating Life and Loss with a Rainbow Baby Tattoo
Struggling through the hardships of miscarriage and stillbirth can feel like a never-ending hurricane of emotions. But when you finally overcome these battles, delivering a child can be the ray of colorful light you’ve dreamt about. The joy of experiencing parenthood can leave new parents searching for ways to celebrate their miracle babies and the […]
What Is a Rainbow Baby? Meaning, Definition, & Support
A rainbow baby is born after pregnancy or infant loss. The meaning of the term rainbow baby symbolizes the rainbow after the storm. For many, the baby brings longed-for joy after the storm of loss. Parents have conflicting feelings about the term “rainbow baby.” Many parents love the symbolism of a rainbow because they feel like it honors […]The Source of Our Helplessness: A Father’s Perspective on Miscarriage
“If we are to turn the corner and cope with uncertain losses, we must first temper our hunger for mastery. This is the paradox. To regain a sense of mastery when there is ambiguity about a loved one’s absence or presence, we must give up trying to find the perfect solution. We must redefine our […]
What is a Double Rainbow Baby and How Can You Prepare for One?
As if one pregnancy or infant loss wasn’t hard enough, dealing with TWO losses can feel catastrophic. However, if the moment arises when you can finally bring a baby into the world safely, this baby is often referred to as a double rainbow baby. The relationship between the phrase “rainbow baby” and miscarriage is more […]
Which Rainbow Baby Onesies are Right for Your Baby?
When loss parents experience a pregnancy after miscarriage, the journey can leave them worried and anxious. At the same time, though, the thought of bringing a new life into the world deserves celebration, which is where rainbow baby onesies come in! If you’re trying to find the perfect rainbow baby outfit for a long-awaited new […]
Coming to Terms with the Highs and Lows of a Rainbow Baby Pregnancy
The effervescent Dolly Parton once said, “If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.” While she probably wasn’t thinking about having a baby after a miscarriage or loss when she said this, it’s incredible how much the quote applies to a rainbow baby pregnancy. Becoming pregnant with a rainbow baby […]