Introduction
Pregnancy loss, also commonly called miscarriage or abortion, is a fairly common but extremely devastating event in a pregnant woman’s life.
Miscarriages are always spoken of in hush-hush tones, and a lot of guilt and shame are associated with them. This leads to a dearth of awareness, and this lack of information prevents couples from seeking appropriate help and getting timely treatment. This article aims to give a general overview of miscarriages to prevent misinformation, as well as encourage couples to speak up about it and reach out to the correct resources when needed.
Types of miscarriages:
Almost 30-50% of pregnancies end in loss, of which only about 15-20% are known. Most of them end up happening even before the lady realises her pregnancy.
Miscarriages or spontaneous abortions are generally defined as pregnancy losses before 20 weeks of gestation. Though “miscarriage” is used as a common term, there are different types of pregnancy losses and complications.
Types of pregnancy loss:
- Early miscarriage: These occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy (1st trimester) and account for about 80% of losses. Majorly associated with some genetic issues in the baby, reduced sperm or egg quality.
- Late miscarriage: Occurs later in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, up to 20 weeks. The most common causes are uterine problems, cervical insufficiency issues.
- Missed miscarriage: It occurs when sonography confirms the pregnancy, but there is no heartbeat or growth of the baby in subsequent ultrasound(s). The lady does not experience any typical signs of miscarriage, like bleeding and cramps.
- Complete miscarriage: This term is used when the woman experiences bleeding and expels the pregnancy tissues.
- Incomplete miscarriage: In this condition, the woman does not expel all the pregnancy tissues, and some remain in the womb, which may need removal. The woman may experience heavy bleeding.
- Chemical pregnancy: It occurs when the urine pregnancy test turns positive or a blood test shows a high level of the pregnancy hormone (hCG), but the baby doesn’t develop. The hormone levels may drop later.
- Blighted ovum: In this kind of pregnancy, only the pregnancy sac forms, but the baby doesn’t develop inside.
- Molar pregnancy: It occurs due to the presence of only the father’s set of chromosomes in both copies, which leads to impaired development of the embryo and placenta. These poorly developed tissues need to be removed via surgery. Partial molar pregnancy is termed when the pregnancy tissues have both sets of the father’s chromosomes as well as one set of the mother’s.
- Ectopic pregnancy: This involves implantation of the fertilised egg outside the womb. Pregnancy usually starts developing in one of the fallopian tubes. If undiagnosed or not managed timely manner, this can lead to many complications for the woman.
Common signs of pregnancy loss or miscarriage:
- Cramping
- Heavy bleeding with or without clots/ tissue
- Severe pain in the abdomen, lower back
- Weakness, vomiting
All women experience different signs of abortion at different intensities. However, you must immediately bring any of the above signs to your doctor’s attention!
Why does pregnancy loss happen? Risk factors:
A miscarriage is a natural phenomenon majorly occurs when the baby’s development is not appropriate for survival. General activities a pregnant woman undertakes, like working or exercising, aren’t associated with it. Having said that, there are certain risk factors that may predispose a lady to miscarriage:
- Age – Older women are at higher risk
- Smoking, alcohol, caffeine
- Infections
- Previous history of abortions – Can increase risk by about 40%
- Known hormonal issues or medical conditions – PCOS, diabetes, thyroid issues, obesity, hypertension (high BP), auto-immune conditions
- Structural problems in the uterus
- Having certain medications – Anti-inflammatory medicines
Testing:
Doctors usually undertake testing for pregnancy losses after two or more consecutive miscarriages. Tests include:
- Genetic testing for chromosomes on the products of conception (POC – the tissue after pregnancy loss)
- Visualisation of the uterus – Sonographies / HSG/ Hysteroscopy
- Hormone testing – Thyroid (TSH), diabetes testing
- The couple’s chromosomal testing
Emotions and coping:
A miscarriage is something a couple is totally unprepared for and comes as a ghastly shock. It can be a life-altering experience for a couple who have been keenly trying to have a baby, more so if they suffer from recurrent losses.
It becomes more difficult for the woman as her body and hormones are also trying to get back to normal, which can impact her emotions.
A couple feels an array of emotions, from sadness and grief to shame and guilt for not being able to nourish and carry the pregnancy. It can also be a lonely or isolating experience due to the stigma attached to it and the apprehension of seeking help.
Couples may feel anxious, hesitant or overwhelmed to try again due to the past trauma of losing the pregnancy. Some women feel detached from the pregnancy next time in anticipation of an untoward event.
The first step to healing is acknowledging the feelings. It is not wrong to feel all those emotions, no matter what people say about it. However, to be able to try again and seek assistance, it is important to come out stronger from past experiences.
Make a support system of family and friends. Don’t shy away from speaking about it, as there are a lot of couples who go through similar experiences but shy away from talking about it and suffer alone. Sharing similar experiences enhances the feeling of not being alone in this journey and helps with coping. Take one day at a time instead of planning the entire future ahead, as it can just lead to overwhelm and exhaustion.
Seeking professional help from a counsellor or therapist could also benefit the couple or lady experiencing difficulty in coping.
Conclusion
Making informed and aware decisions can help you make better reproductive choices. Depending on the cause, doctors can plan various interventions to reduce the risk of miscarriage. Certain lifestyle changes, additional medication and hormonal support can help with the prevention of miscarriages. If a couple has experienced multiple pregnancy losses, seeking an opinion from a fertility expert and thinking of assisted reproductive techniques may also help.
Femcare Fertility understands the trauma of going through a miscarriage after feeling the happiness of a double line on the pregnancy test. Our best fertility clinics in Pune and Kolkata are always ready to help you prevent such events and complete your family. Do visit us or contact us at +91-9967050566 to book your consultation.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Question: How can I know if I’m having a miscarriage?
Answer: Signs include vaginal bleeding, cramping, lower back pain, and the passing of tissue or clots. However, not all bleeding means miscarriage – always consult your doctor immediately for proper diagnosis.
Question: What precautions can help reduce the risk of miscarriage?
Answer: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, managing chronic conditions, taking prenatal vitamins (like folic acid), and regular prenatal check-ups can help lower the risk of pregnancy loss.
Question: Where can I get expert help for miscarriage treatment and pregnancy care?
Answer: At Femcare Fertility, with centres in Pune and Kolkata, we offer specialized care for women facing pregnancy loss. Our experienced team provides diagnosis, treatment, and personalized plans to help improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Visit us to learn why we are among the best fertility centres in the region.