Miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, refers to the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks, with approximately 80% occurring within the first three months. While often uncontrollable, miscarriages predominantly result from fetal growth cessation.
Symptoms and Consultation:
Signs of miscarriage include bleeding, severe abdominal pain, cramps, breast tenderness, and nausea. However, bleeding alone does not always indicate miscarriage, as many women with first-trimester bleeding go on to have successful pregnancies. It’s crucial to consult a doctor immediately upon experiencing any concerning symptoms.
Causes:
Genetic abnormalities account for around 50% of miscarriages, with risk increasing with maternal age (>35 years). Other potential causes include chronic illnesses, infections, hormonal issues, uterine abnormalities, malnutrition, and certain medications. Always consult with a healthcare provider before taking any medications during pregnancy.
Diagnosis and Testing:
Diagnosis involves ultrasound tests to check for fetal heartbeat or the presence of a yolk sac, alongside blood tests measuring human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and pelvic examinations to assess cervical status. After repeated miscarriages, genetic or blood tests may be necessary to determine underlying causes.
Treatment and Prevention:
In many cases, no treatment is needed for miscarriage, although surgery or medications may be necessary in rare instances. While miscarriage cannot always be prevented, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, folic acid supplementation, weight control, exercise, and avoidance of smoking, alcohol, and certain medications, may reduce the risk.
Myths and Facts:
Dispelling misconceptions, it’s crucial to understand that early miscarriages are primarily due to genetic defects and are beyond the mother’s control. Additionally, experiencing multiple miscarriages does not necessarily indicate infertility; with each miscarriage, the risk of genetic defects decreases, potentially increasing the chance of pregnancy.
Risk Factors to Avoid:
Certain factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drugs, infections, environmental toxins, excessive caffeine, and certain foods are thought to increase miscarriage risk. However, activities like exercise, sexual intercourse, and work (except for chemical or radiation exposure) do not cause miscarriage.
Conclusion:
While miscarriage can be emotionally challenging, understanding its facts, myths, and preventative measures is essential. Consulting with healthcare providers, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding known risk factors contribute to promoting a safe and healthy pregnancy journey.