What it means

A miscarriage is when a pregnancy starts but stops developing before it can continue further. It usually happens after implantation, and sometimes even after early signs like rising beta hCG or a heartbeat have been seen.

When it’s used

This term is used when a pregnancy ends during the early stages, often within the first few months. In IVF, it may come up after a confirmed pregnancy, during follow-up scans or tests.

Why people get confused

Some people confuse miscarriage with very early loss like chemical pregnancy. The difference is timing. A miscarriage usually happens a bit later, when the pregnancy has already developed further, even if only slightly.

Think of it this way

The pregnancy has already started and begun to grow, but for some reason, it cannot continue.

What to expect

This experience can unfold over time, often with changes seen in scans or hormone levels. Each situation can feel different, and there isn’t always a clear reason why it happens, which can make it harder to understand.