Miscarriage - it's sad!
Miscarriage is the most painful and depressing situation for any women who desired pregnancy. A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks. Unfortunately, miscarriage is very common, affecting one in eight pregnancies. The chance of losing your first pregnancy is greater than later ones.
Causes:
- Due to a problem in the way your genetic material (chromosomes) combined when your egg and your partner's sperm has joined during fertilization.
- Imbalances in pregnancy hormones
- Problems with your immune system
- It's more common as you get older, because egg quality decreases with age.
- Smoking may increase the risk of miscarriage
- Usually the foetus, placenta and blood from the uterus leave the body through the vagina.
- Cramping and pain in your pelvis or back
- The cramping and bleeding may be very mild, moderate, or severe.
- Symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and frequent urine, stop unexpectedly.
- If you have vaginal bleeding at any time during pregnancy, you should contact your doctor.
How doctor diagnose: Once symptoms of miscarriage are confirmed, gynecologist does various tests:
- An ultrasound scan
- Blood tests
- May be asked to take a pregnancy test
Types of miscarriage:
- A threatened miscarriage: bleeding in early pregnancy where your cervix (the opening to your womb) is tightly closed. Your pregnancy should continue if your ultrasound scan shows the heartbeat of your developing baby.
- An inevitable miscarriage: describes bleeding in early pregnancy where your cervix is open, which means your pregnancy will be lost.
- An incomplete miscarriage: a miscarriage that has definitely started, but there is still some pregnancy tissue left in your womb. Your cervix is usually found to be open.
- A complete miscarriage: pregnancy has been lost completely.
- A delayed or missed miscarriage: although the baby stopped growing and died, you didn't lose any pregnancy tissue straight away. This type of miscarriage usually causes a small amount of dark-brown blood loss. You may get sudden end-of-pregnancy symptoms or you may have no symptoms at all.
What happens after miscarriage?
- Following a miscarriage, it is advisable to rest for a couple of days.
- Speak to someone close about the situation and try to reduce stress.
- After a miscarriage a woman might experience headaches or have trouble sleeping.
- Lack of appetite and fatigue is also common effects,
- In case you find it too difficult to deal with grief, or feel depressed, consult doctor for further help.
- Husband should be very supportive.
Treatment: Treatment is only required for incomplete or missed miscarriage.
Medicines:
- Medicine is provides to soften the cervix that makes the womb contract so that the remainder of the pregnancy tissue is expelled.
- To protect an infection which can make any bleeding last longer and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smelling discharge from your vagina.
Surgery:
- Your surgeon will advise you on whether surgery to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue is the best option for you.
- Surgery for miscarriage is a short procedure to empty your womb.
Preventive measures:
- Avoid smoking and too much drinking.
- Take balanced diet.
- Lose excess weight.
- Get your vitamins and minerals! The most important minerals you should take to avoid miscarriage are calcium, iron, and folic acid.
- Eliminate sugar and caffeinated beverages and drink water.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid stress
- Avoid jerks during travel.
It is advisable to try for next pregnancy after your next period although it's safe to have sex when the bleeding has settled and you both feel ready.
(Sources: miscarriagesupport.org.nz, netdoctor.co.uk, medicinenet.com, hcd2.bupa.co.uk)
