Miscarriage is usually defined as a pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks gestation, though it is more common to have this happen in the first trimester or first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is believed that about 1 in 5 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, some even before you take a pregnancy test.
Signs of Miscarriage
You may have some signs of miscarriage, which can include:
- Bleeding
- Backache
- Cramping
- Sudden and complete loss of pregnancy symptoms
There are also some women who have none of the signs of miscarriage. They may simply find out at a regular prenatal appointment that their baby has died. This is usually discovered during an ultrasound, which may be performed if the doctor or midwife does not hear a heart beat with a Doppler by pregnancy weeks 12-14.
What to do if you think you are having a miscarriage.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs of miscarriage or other danger signs in pregnancy you should immediately contact your doctor or midwife. They will advise you what you need to do, if anything. One of the hardest parts of pregnancy is the wait and see approach, but unfortunately, there is really nothing that can be done if your are experiencing a threatened miscarriage, which simply means that you are having signs that you may be having a miscarriage.
You may be advised to do any or all of the following:
- Bedrest
- No sexual intercourse
- Watch for signs of infection (fever, chills, etc.)
- Multiple tests like blood work for hCG levels or ultrasounds
The other types of miscarriage include the complete miscarriage, which means the pregnancy is completely over and your uterus is empty. You may also have an incomplete miscarriage, which means that your baby has died but the uterus still contains parts of the placenta, which may require a surgery known as a D & C (dilation and curettage).
Figuring out which type of category you go in will depend on a couple of factors including:
- Is there a fetal heart beat?
- Is the cervix opened or closed?
- Is there anything coming out of the cervix?
- Is there anything in the cervix?
Be sure to ask lots of questions about your pregnancy and the signs you are having. Your practitioner will let you know if you need to come to the hospital or their office for treatment.
The good news is that even if you have a miscarriage, you are more than likley to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. However, do not think that there is not a grief process or mourning for your baby who has died. Take the time to grieve, read books on pregnancy loss and generally be good to yourself.
