Tips you need to know about Miscarriage and how to handle its occurence

americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/miscarriage

                     

     

  MISCARRIAGE -  Signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention

           Miscarriage is the term used for a pregnancy that ends on its own within the first 20 weeks of gestation. It is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AOCG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancy will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-70% of all miscarriages. This occurs when the pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of expected period. N.B; A woman may not realize that she conceive when she experience chemical pregnancy. Most miscarriage occurs during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. There are different types of miscarriage, different treatment for each, and different statistics for what your chance are of having one.

        Why does Miscarriage Occur?

     The reason for miscarriage is varied, and most often the case cannot be identified. During the first trimester; the most common cause of damaged egg or sperm cell, are due to the problem at the time zygote went into division process. Other causes of miscarriage include (but are not limited to):

     ● Hormonal problems, infections or maternal health problems

     ● Lifestyle (i.e. smoking, drug use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine and exposure to   

        Radiation or toxic substances)

     ● Implantation of the egg into the uterine lining does not occur properly

     ● Maternal age

     ● Maternal trauma

 Factors that are not proven to cause miscarriage are SEX, working outside the home (unless in a harmful environment) or moderate exercise.

What are the chances of having Miscarriage?

       For women in their childbearing years, chances ranges from 10-25% and in mostly healthy average woman are about a 15-20% chance.

      ●An increase in the maternal age affects the chances of Miscarriage

     ●Women under the age of 35 years old have about 15% chance of Miscarriage

    ● Women who are 35-45 years old have a 20-35% chance of Miscarriage

    ● Women over the age of 45 can have up to a 50% chance of Miscarriage

     

WARNING SIGNS

N.B: If you experience any or all these symptoms, it is important to contact your Health care provider or a Medical Facility to evaluate if you could b having miscarriage.

    ● Mild to severe back pain (often worse than Normal menstrual cramps)

   ● Weight loss

   ● White-pink mucus

   ●True contractions (very painful happening every 5-20 minutes)

   ● Brown or bright red bleeding with or without cramps

   ● Tissue with clot like material passing from the Vagina

   ● Sudden decrease in signs of pregnancy

    

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MISCARRIAGE

● Threatened Miscarriage:  Some degree of early pregnancy uterine bleeding accompanied by cramping or lower backache. The cervix remains closed. This bleeding is often the result of implantation.

● Inevitable or Incomplete Miscarriage: Abdominal or back pain accompanied by bleeding with an open cervix and/or there is rupture of the membranes. Bleeding and cramps may persist if the Miscarriage is not complete

● Complete Miscarriage: A complete miscarriage is when the embryo or products of conception have emptied out of the uterus. Bleeding should subside quickly, as should any pain or cramping. A completed miscarriage can be confirmed by an Ultra-sound or by having a surgical Curettage (D&C) performed

● Missed Miscarriage: Women can experience a Miscarriage without knowing it. A missed occurred but there is not any expulsion of the embryo. It is not known why this occurs. Signs of this would be loss of pregnancy symptoms and the absence of Fetal Heart Tones found on an ultra sound.

● Recurrent Miscarriage (RM): defined as 3 or more consecutive first trimester miscarriages. This can affect 1% of the couples trying to conceive.

*Blighted Ovum: Also called an embryonic pregnancy. A fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, but fetal development never begins. Often there is a gestational sac with or without a yolk sac, but there is an absence of fetal growth.

*Ectopic Pregnancy: A fertilized egg implants itself in places other than the uterus, most commonly the fallopian tube. Treatment is needed immediately to stop the development of the implanted egg. If not treated rapidly, this could end in serious maternal complications.

*Molar Pregnancy: Results of genetic error during fertilization process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing embryo, but often entail the most common symptoms of pregnancy including a missed period, positive test and severe Nausea. 

TREATMENT  OF  MISCARRIAGE

         The main treatment during or after Miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhage and/or infection the earlier you are in pregnancy, the more likely that your body will expel all the fetal tissue by itself and will not require further medical procedures. If the body doesn’t expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infections is a Dilation and Curettage known as D&C. Drugs may be prescribed to help control bleeding after D&C is performed. Bleeding should be monitored closely once you are at home; if you notice an increase in bleeding or the onset of chills or fever, it is best to call your physician immediately.