Miscarriage

As humans, we have a natural tendency to try and ignore or avoid unpleasant topics. Especially in this part of the world where most people ascribe some sort of mystical reason to every occurrence, most people are reluctant to talk about certain issues. Today we will be discussing one of such issues: Miscarriage.

Studies have shown that 15-20% of pregnancies result in miscarriages, so as you can imagine that’s a high number of pregnancies but still it’s hardly talked about. However it is important for people, especially women who have experienced miscarriage(s) to understand that it is not uncommon and it is most likely not as a result of something they did or did not do. And it’s most likely not a curse from their enemies in the village.

What is a miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. (you may see the term “spontaneous abortion” used in place of miscarriage.) About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and more than 80 percent of these  happen before 12 weeks (i.e in the first trimester)

Pregnancy can be such an exciting time, but with the great number of recognized miscarriages that occur, it is beneficial to be informed about miscarriage, in the unfortunate event that you find yourself or someone you know faced with one.

There can be many confusing terms and moments that accompany a miscarriage. There are different types of miscarriage, different treatments for each,

What causes a miscarriage?

There are different causes of miscarriages, and most often the cause cannot be identified.

During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality – meaning that something is not correct with the baby’s chromosomes. Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a damaged egg or sperm cell or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process.

Sometimes a miscarriage is caused by problems that occur during the delicate process of early development. This would include an egg that doesn’t implant properly in the uterus or an embryo with structural defects that prevent it from developing.

Uterine or cervical problems: Having certain congenital uterine abnormalities, severe uterine adhesions (bands of scar tissue usually as a result of previous uterine surgery), or a weak or abnormally short cervix (known as cervical insufficiency) increase the odds for a miscarriage. The link between uterine fibroids and miscarriage is controversial, but most fibroids don’t cause problems.

Chronic diseases or disorders: Poorly controlled diabetes and certain inherited blood clotting disorders, autoimmune disorders (such as antiphospholipid syndrome or lupus), and hormonal disorders (such as polycystic ovary syndrome) are some of the conditions that could increase the risk of miscarriage.

Medications: Some medications have been linked to increased risk of miscarriage, so it’s important to avoid self medicating, even while you’re trying to conceive. This goes for prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin.

Other risk factors include:

• Drug use
• Smoking
• Excess drinking
• Listeria, a bacteria that may be present in undercooked meats, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products
• Maternal trauma, such as a car accident
• Hormonal or structural abnormalities in the mother (such as low progesterone levels or uterine fibroids)
• Advanced maternal age (over 35) Older women are more likely to conceive a baby with a chromosomal abnormality and to miscarry as a result.
• Infections such as Lyme disease or Fifth disease

Contrary to popular beliefs, Miscarriage is not caused by moderate exercise, sex, or a small daily cup of coffee.

In most cases there is no need to do a full scale investigation after a single miscarriage. And even when a detailed evaluation is performed – after two or three consecutive miscarriages, for instance – the cause still remains unknown half the time.

Can miscarriages be prevented?

The majority of miscarriages can’t be prevented. If a woman has suffered from more than three miscarriages, some women can be helped to keep their pregnancy with medication under the care of a specialist.

Miscarriage is often a process and not a single event. There are many different stages or types of miscarriage which shall be addressed in a different post as well as possible symptoms and treatment options following a miscarriage.