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Pregnancy Miscarriage, Miscarriage after Pregnancy, Early Pregnancy Miscarriage, Miscarriage in Pregnancy Written by: Nancy Wurtzel |
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Miscarriage affects between 10 and 20% of all pregnancies and occurs when a pregnancy spontaneous ends before the 24 week, usually as a result of natural processes, (pregnancies that are terminated on purpose through medical procedures are called abortions). The greater percent of miscarriages occur because the body detects a problem with the way the genetic material from the fertilised egg has developed, but also imbalances in pregnancy hormones and serious viral infections can cause miscarriage. In most cases miscarriages cannot be prevented and often the true cause cannot be identified, but they rarely mean that you will not be able to conceive again and carry a baby successfully to its full term.
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are the most risky for miscarriages and the symptoms will include vaginal bleeding (which may include blood clots and a brown discharge) and pelvic/lower back pain and cramping. Once this occurs you may notice that the usual early signs of pregnancy stop unexpectedly, such as morning sickness and breast tenderness. Sometimes there are no obvious signs of miscarriage though and pregnancy symptoms can continue, and in these cases miscarriage is only diagnosed through a routine scan.
Bleeding during pregnancy is common for a number of reasons and does not necessarily mean you are experiencing a miscarriage. You should always consult your doctor or midwife if the bleeding is continuous, or accompanied by sharp pelvic/back pains and cramping, and you may be referred to the local hospital so that you can have an emergency ultrasound scan to discover if there is a problem with the uterus or developing egg. This may also be accompanied with an internal exam.
There are different types of miscarriage and different terms used to describe them such as:
* Threatened miscarriage - this describes bleeding during early pregnancy, which is not accompanied by any other severe symptoms, and the cervix is still plugged and secure. The pregnancy has a good chance of continuing, but doctors may advise more precautionary measures such as plenty of bed rest. * Inevitable miscarriage - this describes bleeding which is accompanied by pelvic pain and cramping, and an open cervix. This indicates that the pregnancy is likely to end.
* Incomplete miscarriage - this means that miscarriage has already begun, but that there is still some pregnancy tissue present in the uterus. * Complete miscarriage - this means that miscarriage has already taken place, and the uterus is empty of pregnancy matter and the cervix has closed again.
* Missed Miscarriage - this describes a pregnancy that has already ended, but is only revealed by a scan as there were no obvious signs or symptoms.
If you have experienced a complete miscarriage then you will not need any further medical treatment, although you may need some emotional support to recover from what can be a very traumatic experience. The Miscarriage Association, (www. www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk), offer a lot of support and advice for those woman who have been through a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and your doctor or midwife should also be able to inform you of any relevant support services in your local area. The physical effects of complete miscarriages usually clear up quickly, with any bleeding or discomfort ending after around 8 days, and your next period will normally follow up to six weeks later. Sometimes there can be a slight risk of infections, but these can be cleared up with a course of antibiotics so see your doctor if you experience any prolonged vaginal discharge or discomfort.
For missed, or incomplete miscarriages you may need some further treatment or minor surgery to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue, and it is common for doctors to prescribe a combination of misoprostol and mifepristone, which aids the body in clearing the uterus. If you suffer from reoccurring miscarriages then you may need to undergo tests to rule out whether there is an underlying medical cause, such as genetic problems, hormonal imbalances or problems with the uterus. |
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