Miscarriage

What is a Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is a loss of a pregnancy from natural causes before the 20th week of pregnancy. Often, a miscarriage can happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant. An estimated 15 percent of the women who realize they are pregnant will miscarry.

Miscarriage Causes

What are the causes of miscarriage?

Doctors do not know all the reasons for a miscarriage, but there are some common factors:

• Most common cause of miscarriage is an imperfection with the egg or the sperm causing a chromosomal abnormality in the fetus. Such miscarriages happen within the first trimester of pregnancy.
• A history of miscarriage, especially if your mother has miscarried.
• Some problem with the cervix or uterus causes miscarriage, usually in the second trimester.
• Women having a disorder known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are three times more likely to miscarriage in the early months of pregnancy.
• Your age, especially over age 35.
• Alcohol use, cocaine use, or cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

There is really nothing that can be done to prevent these miscarriages. In most cases, there is no reason why a second pregnancy cannot be carried to full term.

Miscarriage Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of having a miscarriage?

Symptoms of a miscarriage can be:

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
  • The vaginal bleeding may be either heavy or light, irregular or constant. Vaginal bleeding coupled with pain is a symptom that may indicate that a miscarriage is more likely. But remember, first trimester bleeding may also occur with a normal pregnancy that carries to full term.
• Tissue and/or fluid passing from the vagina
  • This may look like a blood clot or a grayish matter passing through the vagina
• Cramping, abdominal pain, and/or lower back pain
  • Pain may start a few hours or even a few days after the bleeding begin.

Some women experience some spotty bleeding early in their pregnancy and go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies. Nevertheless, if this occurs, contact your doctor immediately. An early miscarriage usually does not require any treatment because all blood and tissue is passed from the uterus. In some cases, a D&C (dilatation and curettage) is required. This is a procedure that cleans out the uterus, and can be performed in an outpatient facility, doctor’s office, or sometimes a hospital. Suffering a miscarriage can be heartbreaking for many couples. Consult your doctor if you have difficulty recovering either physically or emotionally.