A Guide to the Common Signs of Miscarriage

 

There are many different signs of miscarriage and it is important for you to be aware of each of them if you are pregnant or intend to be pregnant. The confusing part is that sometimes one of the signs of miscarriage can also not be a sign of miscarriage. For instance, bleeding is one of the symptoms that can go either way. If you are having a miscarriage you will usually have bleeding but having bleeding can also just be part of a normal pregnancy.

Statistics tell us that just about thirty-percent of all pregnancies have periods of bleeding. As long as the fetus continues to have a heartbeat, the chances are very high that no miscarriage will take place, especially if the pregnancy is still in the seven to eleven week period. One of the signs of miscarriage is severe cramping and lower back pain. It can start in the abdomen and then move to the back.

If you have a discharge from your vagina that looks like clots or mucous, this can be one of the signs of miscarriage. But not always, so if this happens, take a sample of the substance to your doctor for testing. At other times, a pregnant woman may have no outward signs of miscarriage at all, but all of a sudden morning sickness may end prematurely, breasts might lose their tenderness or weight gain may just stop completely.

If you have any of the above symptoms of miscarriage or painful contractions which occur at five to twenty-minute intervals, see your doctor right away. A possible miscarriage is always diagnosed with a pelvic exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound. If it is discovered that the cervix is dilated, there is no way to stop a miscarriage. But if the cervix is not dilated, the pregnancy is usually not in any danger.

A very high 15%-20% of all pregnancies actually end in a miscarriage. Almost three-quarters of that number are believed to happen right after the egg enters the uterus and many women never know they are pregnant. Any bleeding that may occur is often contributed to a normal period. The majority of miscarriages happen in the first thirteen weeks of the pregnancy, and the older a woman is, the greater her chance of miscarriage.

 

The Causes of Miscarriages

There can be many causes of miscarriages, but the number one is when there is something abnormal in the chromosomes of the fetus. It can be something as simple as improper cell division or a sperm or egg cell that is simply not normal. These kinds of miscarriages normally happen within the first trimester. If signs of miscarriage aren’t present until the second trimester or beyond, it is usually due to some kind of problem with the mother’s reproductive system. This can include abnormal hormone levels or a variety of diseases.

People who have diabetes or other chronic diseases, such as lupus, thyroid problems, or high blood pressure can all have pregnancy problems resulting in a miscarriage. Irregularities in a woman’s reproductive system can also be the cause. For example, a common fibroid in the uterus, while no problem on its own, can block the embryo’s blood supply. Poor blood supply can also be a cause of miscarriage if a woman has a septum, or membrane dividing the uterus into sections.

Smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption can all be factors which can cause miscarriages. Studies have shown that even secondhand smoke can be a factor. As for alcohol, any more than three drinks per week can be a problem, while doctors also suggest no more than two cups of coffee per day. Because the amount of alcohol it is safe to drink is unknown, most doctors advise pregnant woman not to consume any amount.

Just as overdoing during pregnancy can be a problem, so can under-doing. Not eating enough or getting poor nutrition can be bad for the fetus as well, and undernourished moms-to-be can be in danger of miscarriages. Trauma too can cause a miscarriage. One instance here is unexpected surgery. If a pregnant woman were involved in an auto accident and needed immediate surgery to save her own life, the life of the unborn child would be put at risk as well.

In countries other than the United States, infections are often the number one cause of miscarriages. In many developing countries, malaria is the cause. It can bring about stillbirths, a too-early delivery and a too-low birth weight. In countries outside of North America, gonorrhea and herpes can be left untreated, causing miscarriages, and so can such infections as rubella, walking pneumonia or toxoplasmosis, which can occur if a pregnant woman has continual contact with the feces of cats. (continued...)