Miscarriage is a term used for the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. It is also called spontaneous abortion.
About 10-15% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage, and most happen before 12 weeks. Miscarriage can be very distressing, but it is usually not the woman’s fault.
Miscarriage is more common than you think
Miscarriage is the spontaneous abortion of an embryo or fetus before the 20th week of gestation. It’s often referred to as “early pregnancy loss.” Though it’s common — estimates suggest that 1 in every 4 known pregnancies end in miscarriage — it’s also tough to cope with emotionally. Most women who miscarry go on to have a successful pregnancy later. If you’ve had a miscarriage, know that you’re not alone and that it doesn’t mean you’re unable to have a baby. Miscarriage is often a one-time event.
About 60% of women who miscarry will go on to have a successful pregnancy. Pregnancy loss after 20 weeks is called a stillbirth. A stillbirth may be caused by different conditions than a miscarriage, such as placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery, or fetal growth restriction, in which the baby doesn’t gain weight at the expected rate. If you’ve had a stillbirth, there’s no guarantee that it will happen again, but you may be at increased risk for another stillbirth or preterm delivery — when childbirth occurs before 37 weeks — in future pregnancies.
You may also be at risk for preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous complication characterized by high blood pressure, in future pregnancies. Your doctor can help you manage these risks with close monitoring during pregnancy.
Miscarriage and stillbirth are relatively common, but they’re also shrouded in taboo, which can make them difficult to talk about. If you’ve experienced a pregnancy loss, know that you’re not alone and that it’s OK to grieve your loss.
Seek out support from friends, family members or other women who have gone through similar experiences if you need it. You might also consider joining a support group for parents who have experienced pregnancy loss. Talking about your experience can help you work through your grief and cope with your loss.
It can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health
No one is exempt from getting sick. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how healthy you are, at some point, you will probably get sick. You might catch a cold from your colleague who was coughing and sneezing all over the place, or you might pick up the flu from your kids who were sharing their germs at daycare.
Regardless of how you get sick, it’s important to remember that anyone can get sick at any time. So be sure to wash your hands often, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of rest to help keep those pesky germs at bay.
There are many possible causes of miscarriage
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. It’s also called pregnancy loss. Most miscarriages happen in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. There are many possible causes of miscarriage, including chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, a problem with the uterus or cervix, infection, hormonal problems, immunological problems, exposure to environmental toxins, and smoking. While it can be hard to cope with the loss of a pregnancy, it’s important to remember that most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies. If you’ve had a miscarriage, talk to your doctor about your risks for future miscarriages and what you can do to reduce them.
Not all miscarriages result in heavy bleeding or pain
It is a common misconception that all miscarriages result in heavy bleeding and severe pain. In reality, however, many miscarriages occur without any noticeable symptoms. In fact, many women do not even realize that they have miscarried until they have a routine ultrasound or blood test. While it is true that some miscarriages do cause heavy bleeding and pain, this is not always the case.
Often, the only sign of a miscarriage is a small amount of spotting or light cramping. If you think you may have had a miscarriage, it is important to speak to your doctor. They will be able to confirm whether or not you have had one and provide you with the support you need.
You may not be able to tell right away that you’ve had a miscarriage
When you miscarry, it can be hard to know what’s happening. You might not have any bleeding or pain at first. But over the next few days, you’ll likely start to bleed more heavily. The heaviest bleeding usually lasts 3-5 hours. For some people, it lasts longer. You might also have cramps during this time.
The miscarriage itself happens when the fetus (unborn baby) and placenta (attached afterbirth) are expelled from the uterus (womb). This usually happens within 2 weeks of the first day of your last period. In most cases, the bleeding and cramping will stop on their own. But if they don’t, or if you’re in a lot of pain, please call your doctor right away. They can help make sure everything is OK and give you advice on what to do next.
There are different types of treatment available for miscarrying women
When a woman miscarries or has a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation, there are different types of treatments that can be performed depending on the individual case. One type of treatment is called dilation and curettage, also known as D and C. This is a relatively common and simple procedure where the cervix is dilated and the contents of the uterus are suctioned out. Another type of treatment is called dilation and evacuation, which is also known as D and E. This is a slightly more invasive procedure that involves dilating the cervix and using instruments to remove the contents of the uterus. In some cases, medication may be used to help induce labour and expel the pregnancy tissue.
Miscarriage is a relatively common occurrence, with up to 20% of pregnancies ending in loss. While it can be a difficult experience, there are treatments available to help women through this tough time.
While it’s still relatively taboo to talk about, miscarriage is actually quite common, happening to 1 in every 4 known pregnancies. And yet, because we don’t often discuss it openly, many women feel like they’re alone when it happens to them. If you or someone you know has experienced a miscarriage, know that you are not alone and there is help available.
While there is no single cause of miscarrying, and not all miscarriages result in heavy bleeding or pain, if you think you may have had a miscarriage, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. There are different ways to treat a miscarrying woman depending on her individual situation, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
