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Miscarriage:Miscarriage is life changing. After experiencing weeks or months of joy in knowing that you are expecting a child, being hit with the fact that you are losing your baby is devistating. Experiencing a loss in this way is rough and you will need to take time to heal along with your partner. It often is hard for a person who has not gone through it to understand. Unfortuntely,
most of the time they just cannot relate and wonder why you are mourning over something that
you "never had". Please know that your feelings of hurt are real and that you are suffering a
loss of a child.
What are the types?:
• Threatened miscarriage - Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy. The bleeding and pain with this type of loss is usually mild and the cervical os (the mouth of the womb) is closed. Your health care provider will be able to determine if the cervical os is open upon performing a pelvic exam. Typically, no tissue is passed from the womb. The womb and fallopian tubes may be tender. • Inevitable miscarriage - Vaginal bleeding along with opening of the cervical os. In this situation, vaginal bleeding is present, and the mouth of the womb is open (dilated). Bleeding is usually more severe, and abdominal pain and cramping often occur. • Incomplete miscarriage - Expulsion of some, but not all, of the products of conception before the twentieth week of pregnancy. With an incomplete, the bleeding is heavier, and abdominal pain is almost always present. The mouth of the womb is open, and the pregnancy is being expelled. Ultrasound would show some material still remaining in the womb. • Complete miscarriage - Expulsion of all products of conception from the womb
including fetus and placental tissues. Complete miscarriage is just as it sounds. Bleeding,
abdominal pain, and the passing of tissue have all occurred, but the bleeding and pain have
usually stopped. If you can see the fetus, you have miscarried. Ultrasound shows an empty womb.
Causes:a. Abnormal fetus: Within the first three months of pregnancy, genetic defect can be responsible for an abnormal fetus. This is found in more than half of miscarried fetuses. Risks for defective genes is higher when over the age of 35. b. Abnormalty in mother: When pregnancy loss occurs in months four through six, some abnormalties in the mother can be the problem. ~ Illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, kidney disease and thyroid gland issues can contribute. ~ Infections such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Mycoplasma (walking pneumonia) and German measles and emotional shock. ~ Drug use that includes cocaine, excessive caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco relate to pregnancy loss. ~ Diseases of internal organs can contribute as well. Fibroids, poor muscle tone in the mouth of
the womb, abnormal placenta growth, multiple gestations and an abnormal womb.
Signs of Miscarriage:~ Mild to severe back pain. Usually worse than menstrual cramps. Some cramping during pregnancy
is normal.
Prevention:How to cope:Some women have a difficult time coping with pregnancy loss. You need time for grieving. Both you and your partner. Some find that talking and expressing feelings is beneficial. It is hard coping with stress after suffering loss. Counseling may be a decision that you and your partner can make. Take your time and communicate. Do what is best for your family. Pregnancy loss is hard, but many are able to move ahead and experience a happy pregnancy after miscarriage. Click here to return to
Pregnancy Loss
Learn specific types of Miscarriage:
Chemical Pregnancy
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