Miscarriage

Miscarriage

Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is the natural termination before week 20 of gestation of a fetus, many of these miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that cause the fetus to develop incorrectly, other causes may be problems with the mother’s hormones, drug addiction, obesity, etc.

Miscarriages are very common especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. 20% of women who are pregnant do not take the pregnancy to term due to Miscarriage.

Other names for miscarriage that refer to early pregnancy loss can be:

*Complete Miscarriage: Complete Miscarriage is when the fetus and placenta leave the uterus before week 20 of the pregnancy. In general there is no need for medical intervention because the body expulses everything naturally.

* Incomplete Miscarriage: An Incomplete Miscarriage, when part of the pregnancy tissue, the placenta or the membrane remains in the uterus and medical intervention is needed.

* Inevitable Miscarriage: An Inevitable Miscarriage is when the cervix opens and expulses the contents of the uterus with heavy bleeding and intense contractions of the uterus. Sometimes some remains are left inside requiring a vacuum to completely remove the remaining contents.

* Infected Miscarriage: An Infected Miscarriage also called a septic miscarriage and is when there is an infection in the fetal material, placenta or endometrial lining (mucus lining of the uterus).

* Missed Miscarriage: A Missed Miscarriage is when the fetus dies but the body does not recognize the loss of the pregnancy. Hormones continue to be released and the woman continues to experience the signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

Miscarriage: causes

The most common causes of miscarriage or stillbirth may be:

* Due to fetal congenital anomalies: these anomalies are caused by an alteration of the genome that can be inherited or somatic. If the altered gene is present in the egg or sperm, then they are hereditary and if it only affects the cells that form the growth of tissues and organs, then they are somatic.

* Reproductive tract abnormalities or maternal systemic diseases: these abnormalities or illnesses may be things such as diabetes, major trauma or nephritis (kidney inflammation) among others.

* Infectious diseases can be things such as "Chagas disease" which is a parasitic tropical disease, "Toxoplasmosis" (infectious disease transmitted through food or water, cat feces or raw meat) or certain sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis, AIDS or syphilis among others.

Miscarriage: symptoms

The most common symptoms that a woman who is suffering a natural miscarriage include:

- Abdominal pain     - Vaginal bleeding     - Cramps     - Vomiting     - Weakness     - Back pain   - Dizziness, etc..

Be especially careful as some of the symptoms of miscarriage are the same symptoms you can have during pregnancy. Should any of these symptoms occur it is advisable to consult your obstetrician or gynecologist.

Miscarriage: risks and consequences

Usually there are no physical risks to the mother during a miscarriage. The consequences that can be found are mostly emotional and are very important because they can be difficult to overcome. Some emotional consequences can be fear, depression and denial.

Overcoming these emotional consequences can take time so don’t doubt seeking professional help if you need it.

Miscarriage: tips

In most cases miscarriages cannot be stopped but it is important to take care of yourself to minimize the risk. Some tips that your gynecologist may facilitate will include:

           - Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
           - Reduce coffee consumption.
           - Do not take medication without consulting your doctor.
           - Complete bed rest in cases of vaginal bleeding and no sexual intercourse.