After a miscarriage, bleeding can last for about 1 to 2 weeks, but light spotting may continue for longer. The heaviest bleeding usually happens over a few hours when the tissue passes, but afterward, lighter bleeding similar to a period can persist and gradually decrease over one to two weeks. The bleeding color may range from bright red to brown, and it should get lighter over time. It's common for women to experience bleeding and cramping resembling a period during this time. If bleeding is very heavy (soaking more than two sanitary pads an hour for two or more hours), or accompanied by severe pain, fever, or foul-smelling discharge, medical attention should be sought as it might indicate infection or retained tissue. A follow-up with a healthcare provider is typically recommended 2 to 3 weeks after the miscarriage to ensure everything is okay. In summary:
- Heaviest bleeding: a few hours during tissue passage.
- Lighter bleeding and spotting: up to 1-2 weeks or longer.
- Follow-up care recommended for health monitoring.
These details are consistent across medical sources including Healthline, the Royal Women's Hospital, and health services from New Zealand and Ireland.
