What Medical Tests Are Done to Confirm Pregnancy Loss?

In the event of a suspected pregnancy loss, medical tests such as an ultrasound and/or bloodwork are typically used to determine miscarriage or stillbirth. It’s possible these tests may not provide instant confirmation, and depending on the test, may need to be repeated the next day or week. 

To confirm or diagnose miscarriage or stillbirth, tests may include:

• Ultrasound — Most often performed with a probe inserted vaginally, this allows doctors to determine if there is still a fetal heartbeat and if the pregnancy is developing normally. If there is no heartbeat or the fetus appears to have stopped growing, this may be an indication of pregnancy loss. If the results of an initial ultrasound aren’t clear, you will likely be asked to have another in about a week.
• Blood test — This measures the level of the pregnancy hormone hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin. The levels of hCG in the blood can indicate whether a pregnancy is progressing normally. If the levels are abnormally low or decreasing, it may be a sign of an impending miscarriage.
• Pelvic exam — Doctors may also perform a pelvic exam to check if your cervix has started opening, which can indicate a miscarriage.
• Tissue testing — If you’ve passed clots or tissue, it may be sent to the pathology lab to confirm pregnancy loss and/or determine if there was a different cause.

Sources

“Miscarriage: Diagnosis”. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/miscarriage/diagnosis/ 

“Miscarriage”. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354304