I have had a miscarriage. When does it get investigated, and was it something I did?

Almost certainly not something you did. Most early miscarriages are caused by a chromosomal problem in that particular pregnancy, which is not inherited, not caused by lifting, working, arguing, travelling or ordinary exercise, and not preventable. One miscarriage does not mean the next pregnancy is at risk — most women who have one go on to have a successful pregnancy.

Investigation is usually offered after two or three losses, or earlier if a loss was late or there is a known reason to look.

What gets checked varies: blood tests for clotting and thyroid problems, a scan of the shape of the womb, and sometimes chromosome tests for both partners. Often nothing is found, and that is genuinely common rather than a sign the search was done badly.

The emotional side is not a smaller part of this. Grief after an early loss is real and does not need a justification in weeks of gestation.

This cannot tell you why yours happened, whether it will happen again, or whether anything would change the outcome. It also cannot tell you whether you are physically ready to try again, which depends on your own recovery.

• Do you recommend any tests for us now, and why or why not?
• How long would you suggest waiting before trying again?
• Is there anything in my history that changes the picture?
• Where can I get support for how this has felt?

Seek care the same day for heavy bleeding that soaks a pad an hour, severe one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or feeling faint. Those need assessment now rather than an appointment.