Miscarriage is a term that is used to describe a pregnancy that terminates on its own within the first 5 months. It is also known as spontaneous abortion but since this term gives women a negative feeling, people use the word “miscarriage” to refer to any type of pregnancy loss or spontaneous abortion less than 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Almost 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies result to miscarriage. This makes miscarriage the most common type of pregnancy loss. Chemical pregnancy is the culprit in 50 to 70 percent of all miscarriages. This happens when bleeding occurs just after the implantation period resulting to a pregnancy loss. The woman may not even realize she was pregnant because bleeding occurs during her expected 1st day of menstruation.
Pregnancy is no doubt an exciting time for all mothers-to-be. But with the increasing number of miscarriage cases, it is beneficial for one to be informed about it in the event that she or someone close to her is faced with it.
There are a lot of medical terms that are mostly jargons for many, and there are moments that can be confusing in miscarriage. There are many types of miscarriage, treatments for each may vary, and the risks of having one may also differ. This website gives you an overview of miscarriage and the information you are provided with will help you gain knowledge so you will not be lost in case you are faced with a miscarriage situation. It is important to remember however that your best resource for pregnancy complications is still your health care provider.
What causes a miscarriage?
The most common cause of miscarriage during the first trimester is chromosomal abnormality. This is due to an abnormal sperm or egg cell or due to problems that occurred during the time the zygote underwent the division process.
The following may also cause a miscarriage:
Hormonal problems
Maternal infections or medical conditions
Smoking, drinking alcohol, drug addiction
Radiation exposure
Implantation problems
Trauma
Maternal Age
Contrary to beliefs, moderate exercise, sexual intercourse or working do not cause miscarriage.
Who are at risk of having a miscarriage?
Maternal age and a previous history of miscarriage are important factors in determining the risk of miscarriage.
Women who are under 35 years of age have 15 percent chance of miscarriage.
Women who are in between 35 to 45 years of age have 20 to 35 percent chance of having a miscarriage.
Women above 45 years of age have 50 percent chance of miscarriage.
Women who have had a previous miscarriage have 25 percent chance of having it again.
If you are experiencing any of these warning signs it is important to call your doctor so he can evaluate if you are indeed having a miscarriage.
Moderate to severe back pain
Whitish to pinkish discharge
Weight loss
Color brown or bright red bleeding
Cramping
Sudden loss of pregnancy signs and symptoms
Tissue and clots passing out of the vagina
How is miscarriage treated?
The main goal of treatment is focused on preventing bleeding and infection. Usually, a medical intervention or procedure is not required if you had a miscarriage early in the pregnancy because your body will expel all fetal tissues by itself.
If the body does not expel all of the fetal tissues, a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) is done to prevent hemorrhage and infection. Prescription medications are administered after D&C to prevent hemorrhage. A post D&C patient should watch out for signs and symptoms of bleeding at home. If an increase in bleeding is noticed or if fever and chills are present, it is important to contact your doctor immediately.
Another goal of treatment is to hasten physical and emotional recovery. Miscarriage can happen to anyone. Many women are left with baffling questions about their recovery especially with when is it okay to conceive after a miscarriage. Some find it hard to recover from grief of pregnancy loss. It is important for women to have a strong support system like family, friends and health care providers. Keeping the line of communication is vital in recovery.
How do I prevent a miscarriage?
Since most miscarriage cases are caused by an abnormality of the chromosomes, there isn’t much we can do to prevent them. One important step is to stay as healthy as you can before trying to get pregnant. This is to provide healthy conditions for conception to occur.
Here are some things you can do to stay healthy and fit:
Exercise
Eat healthy foods
Do not smoke or drink alcohol
Take vitamins and mineral supplements such as Folic Acid
Keep weight limits within normal
Once you’re pregnant, you need to keep both you and your baby as healthy as possible by:
Taking care of your tummy
Do not smoke or drink alcohol
Avoid caffeine
Avoid infectious diseases and radiation
Avoid heavy contact sports to lessen or eliminate risk of injury
Consult your doctor before taking in any over-the-counter drugs