Symptoms and treatment of Miscarriage

Description

Spontaneous abortion is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy. Around 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher. This is because many miscarriages occur before the people realize you're pregnant.

The term spontaneous abortion may sound as if something was amiss in the carrying of the pregnancy. This is rarely true. Many miscarriages occur because the baby does not develop properly.

Abortion is a bit of a common experience — but that doesn't make it easier. If you have lost a pregnancy, take a step towards emotional healing by learning more. Understand what can cause a miscarriage, which increases the risk and what type of medical care may be necessary.

Symptoms

The majority of miscarriages occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, which is about the first 13 weeks.

Symptoms may include:

Bleeding from the vagina, with or without pain, including light bleeding, called spotting.
Pain or cramping in the pelvic area or lower back.
Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina.
Fast heartbeat.

If you have passed the tissue of the vagina, place it in a clean container. Then, take it to your health care provider or the hospital. A laboratory can examine the tissue to detect symptoms of a miscarriage.

Keep in mind that most people who have vaginal spotting or bleeding in the first trimester are going to have successful pregnancies. But call your pregnancy care team right away if bleeding is heavy, or what happens with cramping pain.

Causes

Spot of the genes or chromosomes

Most miscarriages occur because the baby does not develop properly. Around half to two-thirds of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester are associated with the extra or missing chromosomes. Chromosomes are the structures in each of the cells that contain the genes, the instructions of how people look and function. When an egg and a sperm join, the two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent — together. But if you have more or less chromosomes than usual, which can lead to a miscarriage.

The chromosome conditions, can lead to:

Anembryonic pregnancy. This happens when there is no embryo forms. Or the embryo forms, but is reabsorbed by the body. The embryo is the group of cells that develops in an unborn baby, also called a fetus.
Fetal death. In this situation, an embryo forms, but stops in the developing world. Dies before any symptom of pregnancy loss occur.
Molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy.With a molar pregnancy, a fetus does not develop. This most often happens if the two sets of chromosomes from the sperm. A molar pregnancy is linked to the abnormal growth of the placenta, pregnancy is associated with an organ that gives the unborn baby of oxygen and nutrients. With a partial molar pregnancy, a fetus can develop, but it can't survive. A partial molar pregnancy occurs when there is an extra set of chromosomes, also called triploidy. The additional set is often contributed the sperm, but may also be contributed by the egg. Molar and partial molar pregnancies cannot continue because they can cause serious health problems. Sometimes, they can be linked with the changes of the placenta to cause cancer in pregnant women.

Molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. With a molar pregnancy, a fetus does not develop. This most often happens if the two sets of chromosomes from the sperm. A molar pregnancy is linked to the abnormal growth of the placenta, pregnancy is associated with an organ that gives the unborn baby of oxygen and nutrients.

With a partial molar pregnancy, a fetus can develop, but it can't survive. A partial molar pregnancy occurs when there is an extra set of chromosomes, also called triploidy. The additional set is often contributed the sperm, but may also be contributed by the egg.

Molar and partial molar pregnancies cannot continue because they can cause serious health problems. Sometimes, they can be linked with the changes of the placenta to cause cancer in pregnant women.

Maternal health conditions

In some cases, have certain health conditions that could lead to a miscarriage. Examples include:

Diabetes is not controlled.
Infections.
Hormonal problems.
The uterus or cervix problems.
Disease of the thyroid.
Obesity.

What does NOT cause a miscarriage

Routine activities such as these do not cause a miscarriage:

The exercise, as long as you are healthy. But talk with your pregnancy care team first. And stay away from activities that may lead to injury, such as contact sports.
Sex.
Arguments.
The use of birth control pills before getting pregnant.
Of work, as long as you are not exposed to high doses of chemicals or radiation. Talk with your health care professional if you are concerned about the risks in the workplace.

Some people who have had a miscarriage, they blame themselves. It is thought that she lost the pregnancy, because she fell down, had a bad scare, or for other reasons. But most of the time, the miscarriage occurs because of a random event that is no one's fault.

Risk factors

Several factors increase the risk of miscarriage, including:

Age. If you have more than 35 years of age, you have a higher risk of miscarriage than a younger person. At the age of 35 years, who have about a 20% risk. At the age of 40, the risk is about 33% to 40%. And at 45 years of age, that ranges between 57% and 80%.
Past miscarriages. If you have had one or more miscarriages before, you are at greater risk of pregnancy loss.
Long-term conditions. If you have an ongoing health condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, you have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
Uterine or cervical problems. Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissue, also called an incompetent cervix, it could increase the chances of a miscarriage.
The tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and illegal drugs. People who smoke have a greater risk of miscarriage than people who do not smoke. The excessive use of caffeine or alcohol consumption also increases the risk. Also, what makes the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine.
Weight. Being underweight or overweight has been linked with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
Genetic conditions. Sometimes, one of the partners can be healthy, but carry a genetic problem that increases the risk of a miscarriage. For example, a couple may have a single chromosome that is formed when pieces of two different chromosomes attached to each other. This is called translocation. If any of the partner is a carrier of a chromosomal translocation, going to an unborn child causes a miscarriage more likely.

Complications

Sometimes, the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after a miscarriage can lead to a uterine infection, about 1 to 2 days later. The infection is called a septic abortion. The symptoms include:

Fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit more than two times.
Chills.
Pain in the lower part of the stomach.
Foul-smelling fluid called the secretion of the vagina.
Vaginal Bleeding.

Call your health care professional's office or your local OB triage or emergency department if you have any of these symptoms. The disease may rapidly worsen and become life-threatening without treatment.

Heavy bleeding from the vagina, it is called a hemorrhage, is another complication of abortion. Along with the bleeding, bleeding often occurs with symptoms such as:

Fast heartbeat.
The dizziness from low blood pressure.
Tiredness or weakness due to low red blood cells, also called anemia.

Get medical attention immediately. Some people who have a bleeding need blood of a donor or surgery.

Prevention

Often, there is nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Instead, focus on the good care of you and your unborn baby:

Get regular prenatal care while pregnant and after giving birth.
Stay away from spontaneous abortion risk factors such as smoking, consumption of alcohol and use of illegal drugs.
Taking a daily multivitamin.
If you have had one or more miscarriages, ask your healthcare provider if you should take low-dose aspirin.
Limit the consumption of caffeine. Many experts recommend having no more than 200 milligrams a day during pregnancy. This is the amount of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup of coffee. Also, check food labels for amounts of caffeine. The effects of the caffeine is not clear to her unborn baby, and higher amounts can include spontaneous abortion or premature labor. Ask your care team in the pregnancy that is right for you.

If you have a long term health condition, work with your health care team to keep it under control.

Diagnosis

Your health care team can do a variety of tests:

Blood tests. These can check the level of the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in your blood. This level is often repeated after 48 hours. A low or decreasing levels of hCG could be a sign of pregnancy loss. If the pattern of changes in your hCG level is uneven, your health care professional may recommend more blood tests or an ultrasound. Your blood type can also be review. If your blood type is Rh-negative, a medicine called Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is likely to be recommended to less than to less than six weeks of pregnancy.
Pelvic exam. Your health care professional can check to see if the lower end of the uterus, called the cervix has started to open. If it has, that makes miscarriage more likely.
Ultrasound. During this imagining test, your health care professional checks the heartbeat of the fetus and find out if the pregnancy is growing properly. If the result of the test is not clear, you may need to have another ultrasound in a week.
Tissue tests. If you've spent what looks like the fabric, it can be sent to a laboratory to confirm that a miscarriage has happened — and that their symptoms are not linked to another cause.
Chromosomal testing. If you have had two or more miscarriages earlier, your health care professional may recommend blood tests for both you and your partner. The tests can help determine if you or your partner chromosomes of makeup could be related to an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.

If your test results show that you had a miscarriage or who are at risk of having one, your health professional may use one of the following medical terms to describe what happened:

Threat of abortion. This means that you have bleeding from the vagina, but your cervix has not started to open. So that there is a threat of miscarriage. These pregnancies tend to go more smoothly.
Inevitable Abortion. This describes a miscarriage that can't be avoided because you're bleeding, cramping and the cervix is open.
Incomplete miscarriage. This is when you pass the pregnancy tissue, but some of their remains in the uterus.
Missed miscarriage. The placenta and embryonic tissues remain in the uterus, but the embryo has died or was never formed.
Complete miscarriage. This means that you have passed all of the pregnancy tissue. This is common for the miscarriages that occur before 12 weeks.
Septic miscarriage. This condition occurs when an infection in the uterus after a miscarriage. This can be a life-threatening infection. You need immediate medical attention.

Treatment

Threatened abortion

If you have bleeding from the vagina early in your pregnancy, your health care team may recommend that you rest until your symptoms improve. Bed rest and other treatments have not been shown to prevent spontaneous abortion, but are sometimes prescribed as a safeguard. Do not use tampons or have sex, while you still have bleeding, because these may cause an infection of the uterus.

In some cases, it is also a good idea to delay any travel — especially to the areas where it would be difficult to get medical care quickly. Ask your health care team if you should be put out of all the trips you have planned.

Spontaneous abortion

If the tests show that you are having or will have a miscarriage, your health care team may recommend one of the following treatment options:

Expectant management. If you do not have symptoms of an infection, you may choose to leave the abortion progress naturally. Often, this happens within a couple of weeks in search of the embryo has died. But it can take up to eight weeks. This can be an emotional time. More often, expectant management is used in the first quarter. If the pregnancy tissue does not pass from the body on your own, you will need treatment with medicines or surgery.
The medical treatment. This helps the uterus to pass the pregnancy tissue out of the body. A combination of mifepristone (Korlym, Mifeprex), and misoprostol (Cytotec) is more effective than misoprostol alone. The combined treatment has a higher rate of helping the body to release the rest of the pregnancy tissue. Mifepristone combined with misoprostol is also linked with a lower risk of needing surgery to complete the treatment in comparison with the use of misoprostol alone.
The surgical treatment. Another option is a minor procedure called aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C). During this procedure, the medical team opens the cervix and removes the tissue from inside the uterus. The procedure is also called uterine aspiration. Complications are rare, but may include damage to the connective tissue of the cervix or of the wall of the uterus. You need surgical treatment if you have a miscarriage, along with heavy bleeding or signs of infection.

After a miscarriage, if you are Rh-negative blood type, you may also receive an injection of a medicine called Rh immune globulin. Ask your health care team about your blood type and the need for Rh immune globulin. If you are RH positive, you will not have need of Rh immune globulin. The injection may help to prevent problems in a future pregnancy. It gives some people whose blood type is Rh negative, often depending on how many weeks of pregnancy. Rh negative means you don't have a blood protein, called the Rh factor. If you become pregnant again and the baby is Rh positive — that is to say, your blood has the protein, which can lead to life-threatening anemia or other problems for the baby.

Physical recovery

In most cases, the physical recovery of spontaneous abortion takes only a couple of hours to a couple of days. In the meantime, call your health care professional if you have:

Heavy bleeding, such as soaking through more than two sanitary pads per hour for more than two hours in a row.
Fever.
Chills.
Belly pain.

Most of the people who have a miscarriage having a period of approximately two weeks after any slight bleeding or spotting stops. You can use any type of birth control right after a miscarriage. But don't have sex or put anything in your vagina like a tampon during 1 to 2 weeks after a miscarriage. This helps to prevent an infection.

Future pregnancies

It is possible to get pregnant during the menstrual cycle right after a miscarriage. But if you and your partner decide to try again, make sure that your body and mind are ready. Ask your health professional for advice about when you can try to conceive.

Please note that the abortion often happens only once. Most of the people who have had a miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage. Only two percent of the people have two miscarriages in a row. And up to 1%, three miscarriages in a row.

If you have more than one miscarriage, think about getting tests to find the underlying causes. This can be especially useful if you have had 2 to 3 pregnancy losses in a row. There is a probability that the evidence can be found to the conditions of the uterus, the chromosome conditions, blood clotting problems, or problems with the immune system. If the cause of the abortions can't be found, don't lose hope. It is still possible to have a healthy baby. In general, people who have had three miscarriages, still have a 60% to 80% chance of having a pregnancy to term.

Coping and support

Emotional healing can take much more time than the physical healing. Miscarriage can be a heartbreaking loss that others around you may not understand in its entirety. Your emotions can range from anger and guilt to despair. And your partner's emotions can seem different from your own. Give yourself time to grieve the loss of your pregnancy, and to ask their loved ones to get help if you need it.

You can never forget your hopes and dreams for the surroundings of this pregnancy, but in the time of acceptance could relieve your pain. Talk with your health care professional if you experience ongoing sadness or stress. You may have a treatable condition, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Counseling sessions with a mental health professional can help. So he could talk to people who have lost a pregnancy in a spontaneous abortion support group.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have symptoms of a miscarriage, call your health care team right away. Depending on your situation, you may need urgent medical attention.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

Before your appointment:

Ask for instructions. In most cases you will be able to be seen immediately. If that is not the case, ask if you need to limit activities while you wait for your appointment.
Find a loved one or friend who can join you to your appointment. Fear and anxiety can make it difficult to focus on what your health care team, says. To have someone that can help remember all the information.
Write down your questions to your health professional. That way, you won't forget anything important to do.

Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor or other members of your health care team about abortion:

What are the treatment options?
What kinds of tests do I need?
I can keep doing my usual activities?
What symptoms should prompt you to call or go to the hospital?
Do you know what made my abortion?
What are my chances of having a successful pregnancy in the future?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment — especially if you need more information or if you do not understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you some questions too. For example:

When was your last menstrual period?
Is that the use of any form of birth control at the time of the chances of getting pregnant?
When did you first notice the symptoms, and how often you get them?
In comparison with their heaviest days of menstrual flow, it is bleeding more, less, or the same?
You have had a miscarriage before?
Have you had any complications during a previous pregnancy?
Do you have any other health conditions?
Do you know what is your blood type?