According to specialists, about 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Why does this happen? How to recognize a miscarriage and can you prevent it or is it beyond your control? Find out more.
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is able to survive on its own – that is, before the 22nd week of pregnancy. Although it is often a taboo subject, more and more women speak out about their experiences. It is worth knowing that this problem concerns about 20% of pregnancies, so its scale is huge.
When it comes to the causes of miscarriage, they can be very different. Specialists list many of them, and the most common is embryo disease. Some embryos die prematurely due to serious chromosomal defects or other genetic problems that prevent them from developing properly. This cause affects up to half of spontaneous miscarriages early in pregnancy
The second cause of miscarriage is viral infections. Sometimes a seemingly trivial cold or diarrhea in early pregnancy can lead to the death of the embryo. Another cause of miscarriages is hormonal disorders such as thyroid disease.
Other causes of miscarriages include anatomical abnormalities of the uterus, myomas, infectious diseases such as rubella or toxoplasmosis and immunological disorders. Of course, you should take care of yourself during pregnancy and, for example, avoid heavy lifting, alcohol and cigarettes, because external factors also play a role in maintaining a pregnancy
What are the symptoms of a miscarriage? Certainly the most alarming is bleeding. It does not have to, but it can indicate that the embryo has died or is at such risk. When pregnant women report spotting or bleeding to the doctor, they are advised to lie down. Such stories usually end in a happy resolution, but there are also cases of pregnancy loss. Pain in the lower abdomen or sacrum, muscle aches and fever are also alarming. If you notice anything worrying, contact a doctor immediately or go straight to the hospital.
After a patient’s first miscarriage, a doctor will usually conduct tests to determine the cause. Ultrasound and blood tests can help detect the reason for the miscarriage and give you advice on how to proceed in the future, so that your next pregnancy will have a positive outcome, which is often the case. If the miscarriage is repeated, more detailed tests will be necessary.
A woman who has experienced a miscarriage has every right to feel worse. Sometimes this even leads to depression. That is why support after a miscarriage is so important – not only in terms of appropriate medical examinations and care, but also psychological support. The support of the partner is also very important here, and the partner should show a lot of understanding. However, it is also worth remembering that the father can also psychologically feel the negative effects of a miscarriage.
Main photo: Sydney Sims/unsplash.com
