What is Miscarriage?
A miscarriage may be defined as the spontaneous loss of a foetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. A miscarriage is also called a 'spontaneous abortion'. Most of the miscarriages are due to chromosome problems which make it almost impossible for the baby to develop in the uterus. A miscarriage is also caused by a fatal genetic problem in the baby. The percentage of miscarriage among all women is believed to be between 15 to 25 per cent according to experts. A woman who is over 35 years of age and suffers from diabetes and thyroid problem is more prone to miscarriage. Apart from chromosome problems, other probable causes responsible for a miscarriage are :
- Hormone problem including thyroid
- Infection
- Addiction to drugs/alcohol/smoking
- Problem with mother's reproductive system
- High Blood Sugar or Diabetes
- Exposure to or intake of serious toxic materials
- Sudden serious injury to abdomen such as a serious fall causing grave internal hemmorage
- A miscarriage may sometimes be caused by a weak or incompetent cervix whereby the cervix cannot continue with the pregnancy because of its inherent incompetence. This type of miscarriage may happen during the second trimester.
Symptoms
- Severe cramps
- Sharp and acute Abdominal pain and back pain
- Blood clot other clot like things coming out through vagina
- Vaginal bleeding with or without abdominal cramps
Diagnosis : A complete pelvic exam and ultrasound test can confirm a miscarriage. Following blood test may also be required :-
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) test to ascertain total loss of blood
- HCG hormone is verified to monitor the progress of the miscarriage
- If the blood of the patient is Rh negative then the doctors also prescribe treatment with 'Rh immune globulin(Rhogam). This safeguards against developing antibodies that may threaten any future pregnancy.
Treatment
Usually, treatment of miscarriage depends on the type of miscarriage one has suffered :
- Doctors generally use 'watch and wait option' in case of an incomplete miscarriage when tissues begin to pass on its own. It can take weeks but with 'misoprostol' more than 90 percent of the tissues pass out within a week.
- Another type of miscarriage is when the pregnancy has stopped but the embryo is not coming out on its own. This situation is named as 'Fetal or embryonic (EM-bree-ON-ik) demise. Here also Doctors generally follow 'watch and wait' policy. This type of miscarriage will pass out on it own about 75 percent of time but it may spread over several weeks. With use of 'misoprostol' 90 percent of the tissues pass out within a week.
- In case of 'Anembryonic (AN-EM-bree-ON-ik) pregnancy also called 'empty sac' the pregnancy stops growing before the foetus develops. Here also use of 'misoprostol' ensures 80 percent pass out of the tissues within a week Otherwise this type of miscarriage will pass on its own only 66 percent of the time and may take several weeks.
If the process of miscarriage is complete then there is no need for further treatment. Most often the uterus is not completely emptied and a 'dilate and curettage'(D & C) may be required to free the uterus of any remaining placental mass. Doctors use medications also instead of (D & C) procedure to empty the uterus.
Prevention
- Keep away from harmful addiction to alcohol, smoking, drugs and anything that may cause infection
- Comprehensive prenatal care is highly desirable and effective to prevent miscarriage
- Keep away from harmful exposure such as X-ray
- Since miscarriage is also caused by obesity and diabetes, hormonal disorder and thyroid, treat them well and consult your doctor about the risk involved before you get pregnant
- Prepare your body by taking essential vitamins and folic acid supplements before conception. This not only prevents miscarriage but also birth defect to the unborn baby
- Avoid any sort of tough physical activity that may cause serious injury to the unborn
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