Miscarriage refers to the premature end of a pregnancy before the developing baby is able to survive outside the womb. Miscarriage can occur during the first or second trimester, before 20 weeks. Most occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and most miscarriages are unexpected and isolated events. About 15%-20% of recognized pregnancies end this way.
Some miscarriages cannot be explained. Miscarriages often occur for the following reasons:
These factors increase your chance of having a miscarriage. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Having a miscarriage during your first pregnancy may place you at a higher risk for complications during your next pregnancy. These complications may include:
While miscarriage usually is a one-time occurrence, up to 1 in 20 couples experience two miscarriages in a row, and 1 in 100 have three or more. In some cases, these couples have an underlying problem. Couples who have experienced two or more miscarriages should have a complete medical evaluation to learn the cause and how they can prevent another one from occurring.
Testing can reveal the cause of repeat miscarriages in at least 75% of couples.
Symptoms include some or all of the following:
You will be asked about your symptoms, the length of your pregnancy, and when you first noticed a change in your condition. The doctor will perform physical and pelvic exams.
Prior to miscarriage, tests may include:
After miscarriage, tests may include:
Immediate care usually involves observation only, especially in early or first trimester miscarriages. Medication may be indicated in the event of heavy bleeding or cramping. A dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be needed if all uterine contents are not spontaneously expelled. During a D&E, the doctor dilates the cervix, inserts a tool into the uterus, and suctions out remaining material.
You may need professional counseling to recover emotionally from the loss.
The goal of long-term treatment is to prevent future miscarriages. This is geared toward whatever caused past losses.
Medications to decrease the chance of miscarriage may include:
Many uterine physical abnormalities can be corrected to decrease the chance of another miscarriage. If the cervix is weak, the doctor can place a stitch (called a cerclage), usually at the beginning of the second trimester of the next pregnancy, to keep it closed until you are ready to deliver. If fibroids are a contributing factor, removing them may prevent another loss.
Talking with a professional counselor often helps women deal with their loss. Some people benefit from participating in a support group.
If you are diagnosed with a miscarriage, follow your doctor's instructions .
Before you start to plan your next pregnancy consider the following regarding your health:
RESOURCES:
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
http://www.inciid.org
March of Dimes Foundation
http://www.marchofdimes.com/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Ontario March of Dimes
http://www.dimes.on.ca/asp/home.asp
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/index_e.asp/
References:
Dambro M, Griffith J. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 1999.
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination website. Available at: http://www.inciid.org .
Miscarriage. March of Dimes Foundation website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/ . Updated 2008. Accessed July 17, 2009.
The National Infertility Association website. Available at: http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer .
Rosen P. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book; 1998.
12/2/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Winther JF, Boice JD Jr, Svendsen AL, Frederiksen K, Stovall M, Olsen JH. Spontaneous abortion in a Danish population-based cohort of childhood cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:4340-4346.
4/16/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Bhattacharya S, Townend J, Shetty A, Campbell D, Bhattacharya S. Does miscarriage in an initial pregnancy lead to adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the next continuing pregnancy? BJOG. 2008;115:1623-1629.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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