This is a missed miscarriage. It is also called a silent miscarriage or a missed abortion. It means your baby has died, but your body has not recognized the loss. You may still have all your pregnancy symptoms. You may not have had any bleeding or cramping. The news often comes as a shock during a routine ultrasound or check-up when no heartbeat is found, or the baby measures smaller than expected.

What to expect physically?

Your body is holding onto what was. This can mean lingering pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or breast tenderness. These physical reminders can be a constant, painful echo of the life that was growing within you, now stilled.

What to expect emotionally?

The emotional world of a missed miscarriage is complex and often contradictory. You may feel numb, shocked, or completely overwhelmed. The news can feel unreal, a cruel trick of fate.

Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Suppressing emotions only prolongs the process. Give yourself permission to be angry, sad, numb, or confused.

What other people get wrong?

Many people, even those with good intentions, will struggle to understand the unique pain of a missed miscarriage. They may focus on the fact that you "weren't that far along," as if the length of the pregnancy dictates the depth of your love or your grief.

A slow honest look at missed miscarriage