A miscarriage, sometimes referred to as a spontaneous abortion, is the loss of pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. Many women fear experiencing a miscarriage upon discovering they are pregnant. Informing and educating women about the symptoms and causes of miscarriages may help pregnant mothers know what to look for during the early months of pregnancy. In some cases, women will have a miscarriage before even knowing they are pregnant. This is referred to as an early miscarriage.
Miscarriage Symptoms
Women having a miscarriage may experience bleeding, passing of vaginal tissue, or pelvic pain. Sometimes, a miscarriage can be the result of an infection in the mother, in which case symptoms can also include chills, body aches, and a fever. A doctor should be contacted immediately if a miscarriage is suspected.
Miscarriage Causes
Previous miscarriages or elective abortions can increase the risk of a future pregnancy resulting in a miscarriage. Exposure to toxins, alcohol and caffeine consumption, or the use of cigarettes and drugs can also cause a miscarriage. A mother who conceives in middle age or immediately after delivering a previous child can be at a greater risk of experiencing a miscarriage. Abdomen trauma and vitamin deficiencies are causes of miscarriages as well.
If the fetus is not securely attached to the uterine wall, a miscarriage can result. A twisted umbilical cord, which limits the fetus’ blood supply, can also cause a miscarriage. Genetic abnormalities are factors as well, and the actual cause is unknown in about a quarter of all miscarriages.
Miscarriage Diagnosis and Treatment
If a miscarriage is suspected, an ultrasound or blood samples may be used in order to determine if there is definite loss of pregnancy. An ultrasound will be able to show whether the fetus is still in the uterus and whether there is a healthy heartbeat. Monitoring hCG levels in the woman’s blood will help to determine whether or not the pregnancy is progressing. If the hCG levels have gone down instead of up, however, it is usually an indication of a miscarriage. If the hCG levels have increased but not in the range that a doctor would like to see, there may be an ectopic pregnancy.
In some cases, the fetus
and all other conception products are naturally passed in what is referred to
as a complete miscarriage, or complete abortion. If some parts of the fetus or
conception tissue remain, surgery may be required to remove it. Women who have
suffered a miscarriage should consider seeing a counselor for help with the
loss, and wait until they receive approval from a doctor before trying to get
pregnant again.
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Abdominal Myomectomy")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Anterior Colporrhaphy")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Anterior Exenteration")
