Miscarriage is losing the pregnancy before the 20th gestational week. Around 10 to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. But these are the only reported cases. Many miscarriages occur even before you know that you are pregnant, so these miscarriages are not even reported.
The term miscarriage might show that something is wrong with the pregnancy. But this is not the real case. Miscarriages often happen when there is any problem with fetal growth.
No matter how many times you have been through a miscarriage, every time it is hurting, more emotionally than physical pain. The expectation and hope of getting a new addition to your life make you feel over the moon. And when it ends spontaneously, one is left battered and shattered. But never lose hope. The more hopeful you will remain, the better you will be able to deal with it.
You can hope for a better and a healthy pregnancy the next time. Better and brighter days are not so far away. All you need to do is think positively and keep hope alive.
If you have a history of recurrent miscarriages, you need to visit the healthcare provider frequently. To get an expert opinion, you can consult with a Gynecologist in Lahore.
What Are The Symptoms of Miscarriages?
Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy. It can show the following signs and symptoms.
- Vaginal bleeding and spotting
- A feeling of fluid or tissues passing through the vagina
- Back pain
- Abdominal cramps
If you feel like passing a fetal tissue, put it in the container and take it to the healthcare provider. They will analyze it closely and decide what should be done.
Sometimes vaginal bleeding or spotting can occur in the early stages of pregnancy. But that does not mean miscarriage every time.
What Are The Risk Factors For Miscarriages?
Various factors can increase the risk of miscarriages. They can be described as:
Age
A woman’s age plays a role in predicting miscarriage. A woman above the age of 35 has a 20% risk of miscarriage, above 40 the risk is around 40% and above 45 the risk even increases to 80%.
Previous History
Women having a previous history of miscarriages are at increased risk of it.
Chronic Health Conditions
Chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart diseases can increase the risk of miscarriages.
Uterine And Cervical Problems
Having certain uterine conditions and cervical problems can lead to miscarriage.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Women who consume too much alcohol, drink cigarettes, and use illicit drugs can put them at risk of miscarriage. A combination of smoking and alcohol can even increase the risk of miscarriage more compared to when they are consumed alone.
Weight Extremes
Weight extremes such as being underweight and overweight can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Invasive Prenatal Tests
Certain invasive prenatal tests, such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, pose a slight risk of miscarriage.
What Are The Complications of Miscarriage?
Getting the womb cleaned after a miscarriage is essential. To do that, your healthcare providers will perform a D&C if needed. If fetal tissues remain inside, it can lead to infection. The signs and symptoms of infection are:
- Chills and fever
- Palpitations
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
What Are The Prevention Tips For Miscarriage?
Miscarriages are often not preventable. They will happen if they have to be. Tips that can help are:
- Focus on taking good care of yourself and your baby.
- Attend regular prenatal visits.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and illicit drug use- factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Take a multivitamin daily and folic acid tablets.
- Try limiting daily caffeine intake. It is better not to drink more than two cups of tea or coffee in a day.
The Bottom Line
Miscarriages are painful, physically and emotionally too. However, keep your hopes high and not wallow in self piety. If you have a complaint of recurrent miscarriages, you can consult with an online gynecologist.