Keep in mind that it’s normal for your period to come a few days late, especially if you’re stressed. This is usually not a sign of miscarriage. For instance, if you expected your period on October 1 but it arrived on October 8, then it’s possible you had a brief pregnancy. However, consider if you have other signs of a miscarriage before getting worried.

For instance, you might normally need to change your tampon every 3-4 hours on the first day of your period, but right now you might be soaking through a tampon every 1-2 hours. If you’re having a miscarriage later in your pregnancy, your discharge will likely contain more tissue. However, you likely won’t be expecting your period at that point, so it’ll be easier to recognize the discharge as a potential miscarriage.

Blood clots may range in color from light red to a dark red that’s almost black. It might be scary to see a lot of clots in your discharge, but they typically aren’t harmful to your health. If you’re worried, call your doctor for reassurance.

Visit your doctor to find out for sure what’s causing your discharge. It may be something else, so try not to worry.

If you normally spot for a few days before or during your period, you likely don’t need to be concerned about a miscarriage. However, if you’re swinging back and forth between heavy bleeding and no bleeding, it’s best to check with your doctor.

How long the bleeding will last depends on how long you were pregnant. If your period was only a week or 2 late, you might have an extra few days of bleeding.

You can typically take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with the pain. Check with your doctor first, though.

For instance, it’s normal to have tender breasts when you’re pregnant or having a period. If your breasts suddenly feel normal, it might be a sign of a miscarriage. Similarly, you may have had morning sickness that is subsiding.

If you sometimes experience these symptoms during your period, they might be normal for you. However, feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded is more likely to occur during a miscarriage than during a regular period.

If you can’t get in touch with your doctor, visit the emergency room to make sure everything is okay.

It’s possible to have a threatened miscarriage, which might be stopped. Don’t hesitate to get treatment just in case. If you’re having a miscarriage, you may need medical treatment to help you pass all of the tissue if you’ve been pregnant for several weeks to a few months. Your doctor will help you pick the right treatment for you. [11] X Research source

Severe abdominal pain, usually on 1 side Vaginal bleeding Pain in your shoulder Diarrhea or vomiting Feeling weak, faint, or lightheaded