Miscarriage
Miscarriage or loss of pregnancy occurs when a baby dies in the womb (uterus). Miscarriage happens before 20 weeks of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. A miscarriage can happen due to various medical reasons. Therefore, it is essential to understand the miscarriage symptoms, their diagnosis, and treatment so that the chances of miscarriage can be significantly reduced.
What causes miscarriage?
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 85% of miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy every year. One of the potential causes of miscarriage is when the baby has a fatal genetic condition such as chromosomal abnormalities where the embryo stops developing. Other factors are infection, hormone problems, thyroid, or uncontrolled diabetes. Smoking or drinking alcohol, physical issues, and uterine abnormalities are also some of the causes of miscarriage.
The rate of miscarriage increases for women over 35 years, has diseases such as thyroid or diabetes or has experienced more than two miscarriages.
What are the symptoms and diagnosis of miscarriage?
Some of the miscarriage symptoms are:
- Vaginal spotting or heavy bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain or cramps
- Discharge of tissue/fluid from the vagina
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Mild to severe back pain
- Fever with any of these symptoms
Following are the tests you can do for miscarriage diagnosis:
- Blood test: It can ensure the level of pregnancy hormone and determine if human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level is abnormal.
- Ultrasound: It helps in checking fetal heartbeat and makes sure the embryo is developing normally or not.
- Pelvic exam: Through this exam, cervical dilation can be checked. If the result is negative, it can indicate a miscarriage diagnosis.
- Tissue test: A tissue test helps identify if a miscarriage has happened or the symptoms are related to other causes.
- Chromosome test: It helps in the understanding of chromosomes are the causes of miscarriage. It is usually conducted if an individual has already experienced two miscarriages.
How to prevent miscarriage?
Here are some recommendations for pregnant women for miscarriage prevention:
- Establish a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables and do regular exercises
- Maintain proper hygiene by washing hands and avoiding infections
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or illegal taking drugs
- Reduce caffeine intake within 200 milligrams per day
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Engage in prenatal care and take prenatal vitamins so that the fetus gets enough nutrients for properly developing
When to try conceiving again after a miscarriage?
Experts usually recommend waiting for three months before trying to conceive after a miscarriage. A recovery period is necessary for allowing the body to heal, both physically and mentally. Asking for guidance from doctors is essential so that a proper conception plan can be developed to avoid risks associated with miscarriages. In some instances, doctors suggest miscarriage treatments for removing tissues from previous miscarriages to reduce any complications for future pregnancy. These miscarriage treatments are:
- Medical treatment: Medicines are prescribed through which the remaining tissues are eliminated.
- Surgical treatment: Surgery is conducted for removing the remaining tissues.
- Expectant management: This treatment is a natural process recommended by doctors where tissues pass out of the body within time.
Conclusion
Miscarriage occurs in half of all pregnancies, which can be because of medical or other reasons. With proper diagnosis and treatment, it is possible to avoid miscarriages. However, it is vital to consult a doctor if facing repeat miscarriages or clarify any doubts regarding miscarriage.
References
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-miscarriage#1-1
https://www.healthline.com/health/miscarriage#treatment
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/miscarriage.aspx
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