What happens if a dead fetus is not removed?
Asked by: Ceasar Runte | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (49 votes)
If a dead fetus isn't removed, the body may eventually expel it naturally, but there are risks of serious complications, including severe bleeding (disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC), severe infection (sepsis), pain, fever, vomiting, and the development of blood clots, especially if retained for weeks. Medical intervention, like inducing labor or a dilation and curettage (D&C) for early loss, is usually recommended to prevent these risks and allow for physical and emotional healing.
How long can a deceased fetus stay in the womb?
A dead baby (stillborn) can stay in the womb, with labor often starting naturally within two weeks, but prolonged retention (over 4 weeks) becomes risky, potentially causing dangerous blood clotting issues, requiring induced delivery for the mother's health, though some women choose induction sooner for emotional reasons.
What happens if a fetus dies but no miscarriage?
A missed miscarriage happens when an embryo stops growing, but the body doesn't recognize the loss right away. This means the pregnancy tissue stays in the uterus, and the placenta may keep making hormones. As a result, you may still feel pregnant.
What happens if a baby dies in the womb and isn't removed?
If a fetus dies in the womb but isn't expelled (a missed miscarriage or stillbirth), the body may reabsorb some tissues, but serious risks develop over time, including severe bleeding, infection (endometritis), and blood clotting disorders (disseminated intravascular coagulation), requiring medical intervention like inducing labor or surgical removal (D&C, D&E) to prevent maternal health complications.
What does the hospital do with a dead fetus?
The provider may dispose of the miscarried fetus by burial or cremation. You can ask your healthcare provider if you want to know the specific method for disposition. A pathology exam can give you and your doctor a better understanding of why the pregnancy ended.
What are the risks associated with leaving a dead fetus in the womb for an extended period?
What happens if you don't remove a dead fetus?
Women who retain the dead embryo/fetus can experience severe blood loss or develop an infection of the womb. These are rare complications.
What happens if you have a miscarriage and don't get cleaned out?
Often, some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after a miscarriage. If it is not removed by scraping the uterus with a curette (a spoon-shaped instrument), you may bleed for a long time or develop an infection.
How long can a miscarried fetus stay in the body?
No treatment (expectant management)
If it is an incomplete miscarriage (where some but not all pregnancy tissue has passed) it will often happen within days, but for a missed miscarriage (where the fetus or embryo has stopped growing but no tissue has passed) it might take as long as three to four weeks.
What are the symptoms of carrying a dead fetus?
Symptoms of a baby dying in the womb (stillbirth) often include a significant decrease or complete stop in fetal movement, vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramping, and sometimes a decrease in other pregnancy symptoms like nausea, with diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound showing no heartbeat. Seek immediate medical attention for any changes in movement or bleeding, as these are urgent signs requiring prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider to rule out fetal demise or other serious complications.
What happens if you have a miscarriage and don't go to the doctor?
If you have a miscarriage and don't go to the doctor, your body might pass the pregnancy tissue naturally (expectant management), but you risk complications like infection or heavy bleeding if it doesn't pass completely, requiring medical intervention (medication or D&C) to remove remaining tissue and prevent serious issues like hemorrhage. Waiting it out can take days or weeks, with symptoms like bleeding and cramping, but you need a doctor to confirm it's all gone and check for infection.
How long after fetal death does miscarriage start?
It's not at all clear why some miscarriages happen within days of a baby dying and others take much longer before the pregnancy hormone levels drop and the physical miscarriage begins. Sometimes that delay may be a matter of days, but it might take several weeks.
What to do if a fetus dies in the womb?
If a woman's baby dies before labour starts, she will usually be offered medicine to help induce labour. This is safer for the mother than having a caesarean section. If there's no medical reason for the baby to be born straight away, it may be possible to wait for labour to begin naturally.
What happens if you have a miscarriage and don't pass the baby?
Your options and decisions after an incomplete miscarriage
There are 3 options available: waiting for the miscarriage to complete by itself (expectant management) taking medication (medical management) having surgery to remove the pregnancy (surgical management)
What happens if a fetus dies in the first trimester?
Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy, which is about the first 13 weeks. The symptoms can include: Bleeding from the vagina with or without pain, including light bleeding called spotting. Pain or cramping in the pelvic area or lower back.
What does the Bible say about unborn babies going to heaven?
I believe that God is clear in Scripture that He welcomes into heaven each baby who dies, born or unborn (Ps 139). And this extends to young children and the mentally disabled who die before they are able to understand salvation. God is not silent on this question.
How many weeks can a dead fetus stay in the womb?
After a fetus dies, labour will usually begin on its own within 2 weeks. But if you don't want to wait that long, you can choose to have labour induced.
What causes dead fetus in the womb?
Causes of Stillbirth
- Preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy) or eclampsia.
- Injuries.
- Blood clotting disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Diabetes that is poorly controlled.
- A poorly controlled thyroid disorder.
- Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
What habits can cause a miscarriage?
Habits that can increase miscarriage risk include smoking, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, consuming excessive caffeine, and having uncontrolled health conditions like diabetes; also, certain medications (like some NSAIDs), high stress, mercury exposure (from some fish/fillings), and some herbal teas/foods (like sprouted potatoes) are linked to higher risks, so it's crucial to manage lifestyle, medications, and diet carefully and consult a doctor for personalized guidance, as most miscarriages are due to chromosomal issues.
How long does it take for a miscarried baby to come out?
Most women pass the tissue within 2 weeks of a miscarriage diagnosis, but it can take longer. If it takes too long, your ob-gyn may recommend medication to start the process. (Once the process starts and cramping and bleeding begin, most of the tissue passes within a few hours.
Do you see the baby when you miscarry?
Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may see clots and tissue or the form of a small baby if you have a miscarriage.
What happens if I miscarry and don't go to the hospital?
If you miscarry at home or somewhere else that's not a hospital, you are very likely to pass the remains of your pregnancy into the toilet. (This can happen in hospital too.) You may look at what has come away and see a pregnancy sac and/or the fetus – or something you think might be the fetus.
Why is my body not expelling a miscarriage?
A missed miscarriage (also known as a “silent miscarriage” or a “missed abortion”) occurs when a fetus dies in utero but the woman's body does not expel the tissue, often because the placenta is still releasing hormones and thus telling the body there's still a pregnancy.
Are you more fertile after a miscarriage?
It's a common belief, but not definitively proven, that fertility might increase after a miscarriage; some studies suggest a higher chance of conception soon after, while others find no difference or even a slight delay, but generally, your fertility often returns to normal, and many women conceive successfully in subsequent pregnancies, with some evidence suggesting shorter intervals (under 6 months) might even lower risks for future losses.