A miscarriage occurs when pregnancy ends within the first 20 weeks. It is impossible to know how often this happens, as it often happens well before a woman realizes she is pregnant. However, among women who know they are expecting a baby, the percentage of miscarriages is estimated to be between 10 and 20%. If you are concerned about having a miscarriage, seek medical attention immediately.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you see fibrous material, fluid, or blood clots coming out of your vagina
They could all be signs of an ongoing miscarriage. Depending on the week of pregnancy or how much blood you are losing, your doctor may recommend that you go to the nearest hospital or even wait to be seen during surgery hours.
- If you notice any leaking material that you suspect is fetal tissue, place it in a clean, sealed container and take it to the doctor.
- While it may seem a little unusual to take this sample with you, your doctor will be able to analyze it and confirm whether or not your suspicions are.
Step 2. Be aware that if you experience vaginal spotting or bleeding, you may be at risk for miscarriage
Many women experience some blood loss, but it is not necessarily a miscarriage. However, it is safer to contact your gynecologist right away to see if you need to go to the emergency room promptly.
You may also have cramps. Severe abdominal cramps are another sign of possible miscarriage and you should see your doctor as soon as possible
Step 3. Make a note of any lower back pain
Back pain, abdominal discomfort, or cramps may indicate a miscarriage, even if you don't have vaginal bleeding.
Talk to your doctor before taking any pain relievers
Step 4. Recognize the symptoms of a septic abortion
This occurs when the woman has a womb infection and loses the baby. This is a situation that can also compromise a woman's health and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:
- Foul smelling fluid coming out of the vagina.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Fever and chills.
- Cramps and abdominal pain.
Part 2 of 3: What to Expect in the Doctor's Office
Step 1. Get a medical check-up
There are several tests and exams that your gynecologist will likely take to see if you have lost your baby.
- It will likely ask you to do an ultrasound to make sure the fetus is in the womb. In this way it also verifies the normal development of the child. If the fetus has already grown a little, it is also possible to check its heart rate.
- The gynecologist will also perform a pelvic exam to check if the cervix is open.
- He may also recommend a blood test to measure hormone levels.
- If you have lost fibrous material from your vagina and brought it with you during your visit, your doctor will be able to analyze it and confirm whether it is fetal tissue.
Step 2. Understand what the possible diagnoses are
There are several possibilities:
- A threat of miscarriage is diagnosed when you notice signs that may make you think of a miscarriage. However, not all threats end with the termination of pregnancy. If you have cramps or bleeding but your cervix isn't open, it could just be a threat.
- If the doctor cannot do anything to stop the process, you will be diagnosed with an inevitable miscarriage. This usually occurs when the cervix is open and the uterus contracts to expel the fetus.
- An abortion is said to be complete when all the fetal tissue present in the uterus is expelled.
- When part of the fetus or placenta is not expelled from the vagina, it is called an incomplete abortion.
- Internal abortion occurs when the fetus or placenta does not come out, despite the fact that the fetus is dead.
Step 3. Follow your doctor's directions if you have been diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage
As already mentioned, this situation does not always end with the loss of the child. However, depending on the specific case, it is not always possible to avoid it. Your gynecologist may recommend that you:
- Rest until the symptoms subside.
- Do not engage in physical activity.
- Do not have sexual intercourse.
- Do not travel to those countries where it is not possible to obtain immediate quality medical care should it become necessary.
Step 4. Know what to expect in the event of a miscarriage without complete expulsion of fetal material
Your doctor will be able to recommend various solutions depending on your preferences.
- You can wait for the residual tissue to come out spontaneously; it could take up to a month.
- You can take medications to stimulate tissue expulsion. This is usually a pretty quick process, sometimes even within a day. Medicines can be taken orally or inserted directly into the vagina.
- If you show signs of infection, the gynecologist will make sure that your cervix is dilated and will take the fetal debris directly.
Step 5. Give yourself time to physically heal if you have a miscarriage
Chances are you will be able to recover quickly and be able to feel good again within a few days.
- Know that you will probably return to menstruate the following month. This means that you can still get pregnant immediately. But if you don't want to, take birth control.
- Give the vaginal tissues at least two weeks to heal. Do not use tampons at this stage and avoid sexual intercourse.
Step 6. Take the time to psychologically overcome the loss of the baby
Studies have shown that women who have a miscarriage experience grief comparable to those who give birth to a child who died almost at the end of the gestational period. It is extremely important to allow yourself ample time to process the loss and to surround yourself with people who can be supportive and with whom you can talk.
- Get psychological support from friends and family you trust.
- Also look for a support group.
- Most women who experience a miscarriage later will be able to have a healthy pregnancy. A miscarriage hardly means you won't be able to have babies.
Part 3 of 3: Evaluating Future Pregnancies
Step 1. Understand the main causes of miscarriage
Many episodes occur because the fetus fails to develop properly. The reasons for the lack of development can be many, from genetic ones to the health conditions of the mother.
- Genetic problems of the fetus: they could be hereditary or related to the specific sperm and egg.
- Diabetic mother.
- Infection.
- Hormonal imbalance of the mother.
- Thyroid problems.
- Pathologies of the uterus or cervix.
Step 2. Minimize the risk of future miscarriages as much as possible
While not all miscarriages may be predictable, there are some precautions you can take to avoid increasing the risks.
- The smoke.
- Alcoholics. Alcohol causes irreversible damage to the fetus, although it does not always cause a miscarriage.
- The drugs. Avoid recreational drugs if you are pregnant or want to have a baby soon. Also, do not take any medications, including over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies, without first consulting your doctor.
- Diabetes.
- Being overweight or underweight.
- Problems with the reproductive organs, especially the uterus or cervix.
- Environmental pollution.
- Infections.
- Disorders of the immune system.
- Hormonal imbalances.
- Invasive prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (villocentesis).
- The risk of miscarriage increases in women over the age of 35.
Step 3. Know what doesn't cause abortion
The following activities are not responsible for the loss of the fetus under normal conditions. But if your doctor gives you different instructions and directions, stick to them.
- Moderate physical activity.
- Have safe sex while avoiding infections.
- Work in environments that do not increase exposure to toxins, infectious agents, chemicals, or radiation.
