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About Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher because many miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy — before you might even know about a pregnancy.
The prevalence of miscarriage in Indian women as high as 32%. While the fetus expels by itself in a miscarriage, an ultrasound test and follow-up treatment is essential to ensure complete expulsion. Otherwise, incomplete miscarriage risks severe infections, consecutive miscarriages, permanent infertility, and life-threatening complications to the health of the mother.
What is a Miscarriage?
The term "miscarriage" might suggest that something went wrong in the carrying of the pregnancy. But this is rarely true. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing as expected.
Miscarriage is a relatively common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. Take a step toward emotional healing by understanding what can cause a miscarriage, what increases the risk and what medical care might be needed.
Miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy that may happen before 20 weeks of gestation. It is typically marked by a sudden, yet repeated vaginal bleeding and cramping during pregnancy.
At all such times, it is important that you consult a gynecologist immediately. In case it is only a threatened miscarriage and the cervix is still close, there are chances that the pregnancy may still be saved.
Why Does It Happen?
Unlike what its name may indicate, a miscarriage does not always happen because of a problem in the carrying of the pregnancy. Rather, most miscarriages simply occur because of:
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An abnormal formation of the embryo because of an extra or missing chromosome.
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Abnormal growth of the fetus and placenta because of the abnormal division of the embryo.
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Abnormal planting of the embryo in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, or abdomen, instead of the uterus.
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Fluctuations in the mother’s health, such as- high diabetes, BP, thyroid or hormonal imbalance
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Infection in the cervix or the uterus
Types of Miscarriage:
Inevitable Miscarriage
Complete Miscarriage
Incomplete Miscarriage
Missed Miscarriage
Risk Factors
Symptoms
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Uncontrolled diabetes
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Infections
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Hormonal problems
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Uterus or cervix problems
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Thyroid disease
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Teenage/ Oldage
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Excessive/ Lesser weight
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Fluctuations in the BP
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Accidents
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Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing as expected. About 50 percent of miscarriages are associated with extra or missing chromosomes. Most often, chromosome problems result from errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows — not problems inherited from the parents.
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Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy.
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Signs and symptoms of a miscarriage might include:
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Vaginal spotting or bleeding
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Pain or cramping in your abdomen or lower back
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Fluid or tissue passing from your vagina
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If you have passed fetal tissue from your vagina, place it in a clean container and bring it to your health care provider's office or the hospital for analysis.
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Most women who have vaginal spotting or bleeding in the first trimester go on to have successful pregnancies.
DIAGNOSIS
Transvaginal Ultrasound/ Abdominal Ultrasound
Procedure: Both transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds are simple, 7-10 minutes imaging tests, that is, the tests that provide an internal image of the body organ using high-frequency sound waves.
However, as the name suggests, transvaginal ultrasound is done by inserting the sound wave device through the transvaginal cavity, whereas the abdominal ultrasound is done through the abdominal surface. Since the sound wave device is closer in transvaginal ultrasound, it can help pick up the type of pregnancy earlier and is more accurate than the results of an abdominal ultrasound.
Confirmation: The development of the fetus confirms the state of pregnancy. If the fetus is projected to develop abnormally, or is marked dead, the miscarriage is considered inevitable. the type of pregnancy.
Prevention:
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Often, there's nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Simply focus on taking good care of yourself and your baby:
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Seek regular prenatal care.
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Avoid known miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use.
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Take a daily multivitamin.
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Limit your caffeine intake. A recent study found that drinking more than two caffeinated beverages a day appeared to be associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.
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If you have a chronic condition, work with your health care team to keep it under control.
Risks & Complications if left untreated:
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Delaying the treatment or leaving it untreated leaves a 50-50 chance of sepsis in the uterus or cervix. That is, while the woman may experience slight bleeding or fetal passage, in case, the same remains incomplete, the remaining fetal tissues or fluid may develop an internal infection. This causes:
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Fever
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Nausea
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Bad odor and itching in the vagina
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Abdominal and pelvic pain
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Risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy
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Permanent infertility
MISCARRIAGE SPECIALISTS DOCTORS
Dr. ABCD
MBBS,
10 yrs of experience
Dr. ABCD
MBBS,
10 yrs of experience
Dr. ABCD
MBBS,
10 yrs of experience
Treatment By Medicine
If the miscarriage happens early in the pregnancy and the diagnostic tests negate any chances of infection, the cleaning treatment can be done through medications.
Procedure: Typically, the prescribed medications include a combination of 2 different pills (commonly known as RU486. These can be taken both- orally and directly through the vaginal passage. When used together, they dilate the cervix and help quicken the process of expulsion.
Side effects: Some of the side effects include-
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Abdominal pain
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Vaginal bleeding
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Dizziness
Surgical Treatment
A miscarraige in the later weeks or where the doctor may detect sepsis is best removed through D&C method (dilation and curettage).
Procedure: First, the doctor gives you the medicine for the complete dilation of the cervix. This is particularly important for the pregnancy tissue to expel out of the birth canal. It may take 30-40 minutes or more. Then, once the cervix is fully dilated, the surgeon uses a curettage instrument to remove all the pregnancy tissues out of the uterus. Soon after a few hours, the cervix contracts naturally and the pregnancy is ended without any cuts or sutures.
**The cleaning treatment differs in case of ectopic and molar pregnancy. You can read more about both, here.