Early Pregnancy Loss: Here is What You Need to Know about Miscarriage

November 9, 2021

Written by Maira Ahsan

Early Pregnancy Loss: Here is What You Need to Know about Miscarriage - Young and Blissful

November 9, 2021

Written by Maira Ahsan

What is a miscarriage?

Miscarriage is described as "spontaneous abortion" in medical terms.

When an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy, it is referred to as a miscarriage. Miscarriage is most common early in pregnancy, with 8 out of 10 miscarriages occurring in the first three months.

This type of pregnancy loss affects a large number of women. Unfortunately, 10-20% of pregnancies result in miscarriage. Although miscarriage is a regular occurrence, it can be emotionally draining. Grief and loss are common following a miscarriage.

What are the symptoms of miscarriages?

Vaginal bleeding is the most common indicator of a miscarriage, and it's often followed by cramping and pain in your lower abdomen.
If you're experiencing vaginal bleeding, see your doctor or your midwife.
If necessary, most GPs can immediately refer you to an early pregnancy unit at your local hospital.
If your pregnancy is at a later stage, you may be referred to a maternity ward.
However, keep in mind that minor vaginal bleeding is normal throughout the first trimester (the first three months of pregnancy) and does not always indicate a miscarriage.

What causes miscarriage?

The majority of miscarriages are caused by genetic abnormalities that prevent the infant from developing. These issues are often linked to the mother's or father's genes.

Miscarriage can also be caused by the following factors:

Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Disorders of clotting
Toxic exposure from the environment
Hormone imbalances
Infection
Overweight
Obstacles to the mother's reproductive organs on a physiological body
An issue with the immunological system of the body
In the mother, serious systemic illnesses (diseases that affect the entire body) (such as uncontrolled diabetes)
Smoking

Approximately half of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) on their own, generally before the woman realizes she is pregnant. A miscarriage occurs in roughly 10% to 25% of women who are aware that they are pregnant. The majority of miscarriages happen in the first seven weeks of pregnancy. After the baby's heartbeat is found, the rate of miscarriage decreases.

Miscarriage risk

The majority of miscarriages are caused by natural and unexpected reasons. Certain risk factors, on the other hand, can raise your risks of miscarriage. These are some of them:

body trauma
exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation
drug use
alcohol abuse
excessive caffeine consumption
smoking
two or more consecutive miscarriages
being underweight or overweight
chronic, uncontrolled conditions, like diabetes
problems with the uterus or cervix

Diagnosis

Miscarriage is diagnosed using the following tests:

Transvaginal ultrasounds entail inserting a tiny probe into the vaginal canal to look for the fetus' heartbeat. To reduce discomfort, some women may choose an external abdominal ultrasound instead.
Blood tests are essential because they can establish if beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone levels are normal — both hormones are linked to a healthy pregnancy.
Pelvic exams are used to see if the cervix has shrunk or opened.