A miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of a fetus
before it is *viable, which in the USA is the 20th week of pregnancy and
in the UK the 23rd week. The medical term for miscarriage is
"spontaneous abortion".
*A fetus is "viable" when it has the potential to survive outside the womb.
Miscarriage is one of the most common complications associated with early pregnancy. Sadly, around a quarter - or even more - of all pregnancies result in miscarriage.
Most miscarriages occur during the first few months of pregnancy. An estimated 75 percent of miscarriages happen during the woman's first trimester.
Although miscarriage is relatively common, it can be an extremely traumatic and devastating experience.
Researchers at the University of Queensland identified a link between the development of alcohol problems and psychiatric disorders following miscarriage.
According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, a Miscarriage is a "Layperson's term for spontaneous expulsion of the products of pregnancy before the middle of the second trimester; no longer accepted in clinical usage."
Other symptoms include:
Around 1% of all pregnancies are ectopic. Left untreated they can be fatal - because of internal bleeding - and the risk of losing the baby is increased.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are:
Women with a low body mass index before they become pregnant are also at a heightened risk of miscarriage.
Researchers published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported that underweight women were 72% more likely to suffer a miscarriage during their first three months of pregnancy, compared to women whose weight was healthy.
Obviously, some types of exercise would not be suitable for a mother who is 8 months pregnant. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor which exercises you can do. Some women even believe that their mood can negatively affect their baby - which isn't true.
Nearly half of miscarriage cases have no apparent cause.
*A fetus is "viable" when it has the potential to survive outside the womb.
Miscarriage is one of the most common complications associated with early pregnancy. Sadly, around a quarter - or even more - of all pregnancies result in miscarriage.
Most miscarriages occur during the first few months of pregnancy. An estimated 75 percent of miscarriages happen during the woman's first trimester.
Although miscarriage is relatively common, it can be an extremely traumatic and devastating experience.
Researchers at the University of Queensland identified a link between the development of alcohol problems and psychiatric disorders following miscarriage.
According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, a Miscarriage is a "Layperson's term for spontaneous expulsion of the products of pregnancy before the middle of the second trimester; no longer accepted in clinical usage."
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage
The main sign of miscarriage is vaginal spotting or bleeding, which can vary a from slight brownish discharge to very heavy bleeding.Other symptoms include:
- Cramping and pain in the abdomen
- Fluid discharge from the vagina
- Tissue discharge from the vagina
- Feeling faint or light-headed
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg settles and grows outside the inner lining of the uterus, instead of inside.Around 1% of all pregnancies are ectopic. Left untreated they can be fatal - because of internal bleeding - and the risk of losing the baby is increased.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are:
- Shoulder tip pain - where the shoulder ends and the arm begins, more evident when the patient is lying down
- Severe abdominal pain
- Feeling light-headed
- Dizziness
Causes of miscarriage
- Placental problems - if abnormal development of the placenta occurs then the blood supply from the mother to the baby is limited.
- Chromosome problems - sometimes a fetus can receive either too many or not enough chromosomes at conception, this causes abnormal development of the fetus. Miscarriages that occur during the first trimester are mainly related to chromosomal abnormalities in the baby.
- Womb structure abnormalities - abnormally shaped wombs and the development of fibroids in the womb can put a developing fetus at severe risk.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome - this occurs when the ovaries are too big, causing hormonal imbalances in the womb.
- Weakened cervix - the cervix is the neck of the womb. When the muscles of the cervix are too weak they can open up too early during pregnancy resulting in miscarriage.
- Lifestyle factors - habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs can lead to miscarriage.
Underlying health conditions
Underlying health conditions among pregnant woman that are associated with miscarriage include:- High blood pressure
- Coeliac disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Lupus
- Thyroid gland problems
- HIV
- Malaria
- Rubella
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
Being overweight or underweight
Obesity is known to increase the risk of first and subsequent miscarriages.Women with a low body mass index before they become pregnant are also at a heightened risk of miscarriage.
Researchers published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported that underweight women were 72% more likely to suffer a miscarriage during their first three months of pregnancy, compared to women whose weight was healthy.
Be aware of the medications you are taking
It is crucial to check with your doctor which medications are safe to take during pregnancy. Medicines that should be avoided (if possible) while pregnant, include:- retinoids
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - the risk of miscarriage is more than two times greater for women who took any type and dosage of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in early pregnancy, according to a University of Montreal study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
- methotrexate
- misoprostol
- antidepressants - a study in CMAJ reported a 68% increase in the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women using antidepressants.
Avoid caffeine
A study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology., found that pregnant women who consume large doses of caffeine every day were also found to have a much higher risk of losing their baby through miscarriage.Miscarriage myths
There are many misconceptions regarding miscarriage. Many people believe that having sex and/or exercising can result in miscarriage, when in actual fact there is no evidence to suggest this.Obviously, some types of exercise would not be suitable for a mother who is 8 months pregnant. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor which exercises you can do. Some women even believe that their mood can negatively affect their baby - which isn't true.
Nearly half of miscarriage cases have no apparent cause.
Diagnosing Miscarriage
The tests used to diagnose miscarriage are:- Ultrasound scans - transvaginal ultrasounds involve placing a small probe is into the vagina to check for the heartbeat of the fetus - some women may choose to undergo an external abdominal ultrasound instead to avoid discomfort.
- Blood tests - these are useful because they can determine if levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone are normal - both of these hormones are associated with a healthy pregnancy.
- Pelvic exams - these determine whether the cervix has thinned out or opened.
Diagnostic errors do occur
It is important for doctors to be sure of their diagnosis. In the UK there were 400 miscarriage test errors in 2010. The study, published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said that this is happening because some doctors are too hasty to diagnose miscarriage rather than carry out a second ultrasound scan.How to prevent Miscarriage
There are ways to lower the chances of miscarriage. In fact, a few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference:- Avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs during pregnancy
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy.
- Being careful to avoid certain infections, such as German measles (rubella)
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