causes of miscarriage What is a spontaneous abortion?

   
What is a spontaneous abortion?
 

A miscarriage is when an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage usually occurs early in your pregnancy - between 8 and 10 spontaneous abortions occur during the first three months. Many people experience this type of pregnancy loss. In fact, between 10 and 20% of pregnancies end in spontaneous abortions. Despite being common, miscarriage can be emotionally difficult. It is normal to have feelings of grief and loss after this type of abortion. The medical term for this form of loss is "miscarriage."
What are the causes of spontaneous abortion?

It can be difficult to get to know exactly why the miscarriage occurred, but it is almost never caused by something the pregnant person has done. Normal activities such as having sex, exercising, working and taking most medications do NOT cause a miscarriage. Minor injuries, such as those caused by a fall, are not usually the cause of a miscarriage. Some of the things that are known to cause a miscarriage include the following:

    That the fertilized egg has an abnormal number of chromosomes (genes). This happens randomly, so you can not avoid it or provoke it.
    Certain diseases, such as severe diabetes, can increase the risk of miscarriage.
    A very serious infection or a major injury can cause a miscarriage.
    Late spontaneous abortions-after 3 months-may occur due to abnormalities in the uterus.
    If you have had more than 2 miscarriages in a row, it is very likely that you have another.

What are the different types of spontaneous abortion?

There are several types of spontaneous abortion.

    Threat of spontaneous abortion: there is vaginal bleeding, with moderate colic or without them, but the cervix remains closed. Often, the bleeding stops, and the pregnancy evolves normally. Half of the threats of spontaneous abortion end in inevitable miscarriages and in the loss of pregnancy.
    Unavoidable spontaneous abortion: the hemorrhage increases, and the cervix opens. If this happens, there is no chance that the pregnancy will continue.
    Incomplete spontaneous abortion: part of the pregnancy tissue leaves the uterus, and part remains inside. Sometimes, a treatment is necessary to remove the remaining tissue.
    Complete spontaneous abortion: all the tissue of the pregnancy leaves the uterus. Generally no additional treatment is necessary.
    Retained spontaneous abortion: there is no colic and no bleeding, but the ultrasound indicates an embryo without a heartbeat or an empty gestational sac, that is, without the embryo. Generally the tissue leaves the body alone, but you may need treatment.

Spontaneous abortion treatments include medications or procedures similar to those used for an abortion. During aspiration, the nurse or doctor inserts a thin plastic tube into the uterus to remove the pregnancy tissue by gentle suction.

Miscarriages can be dangerous if left untreated. Call your doctor immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of spontaneous abortion.


How do I know if I am having a miscarriage?
In this section

The most common signs of a miscarriage are hemorrhage and colic. Call your doctor if you think you are having a miscarriage.
What are the signs of a miscarriage?

Sometimes, there is no sign of a miscarriage, and you do not find out until you have an ultrasound or you no longer feel pregnant. But, generally, there are signs and symptoms. For example:

    Vaginal bleeding or spotting
    Severe pain in the abdomen
    Strong cramps

Other problems that are less serious than a miscarriage can also cause these symptoms. But if you think you may be having a miscarriage, go see your doctor immediately to stay safe.
What happens during a miscarriage?

Miscarriage is different in every woman, but there are some common symptoms.

Not all spontaneous abortions are painful, but most women have cramps. Colic is really intense for some women and milder for others (like those of a menstrual period or less intense). It is also common to have vaginal bleeding and discharge blood clots up to the size of a lemon. Severe bleeding from a miscarriage can cause fear or surprise, but it is usually normal.

Bleeding and cramping may disappear quickly, or may last for several hours. The doctor can give you medicine and advice on how to manage pain and colic during miscarriage.

No matter how quickly it happens or if it is painful or not, miscarriage can be distressing. Stay in touch with your doctor about what happens and how you feel. Your doctor can tell you what is normal and what is not, and give you resources for emotional support if you need it.
What can I expect to feel after having a miscarriage?

There is no one way to feel for all people after having a miscarriage. You can have a mixture of emotions that include disappointment, despair, shock, guilt, grief and relief - sometimes all at the same time. All these feelings are really normal and, in general, disappear with the passage of time.

Take care physically and emotionally, and grant yourself permission to mourn your loss if you need it. Affliction and sadness are very normal responses to spontaneous abortion. Try to surround yourself with understanding and caring people who let you manifest your pain and give you comfort. If you have a partner, you may also feel distress over the loss and deal with a variety of emotions. Talking about their feelings and supporting each other can help both of them cope.

Each person needs a different amount of time to heal emotionally after a miscarriage. Give yourself all the time you need to overcome your pain. Many people feel better when they have someone understanding to talk to. Even if you think you do not know anyone you can support, there are those who can help you. You can talk with your nurse or doctor, who can help you find a counselor or a support group in your area. There are also many online support groups, where you can connect with other people who are going through the same thing as you.

If you want to find a new pregnancy, your doctor or the local Planned Parenthood Health Center can advise you on how to plan it and help you define when is the best time to start trying again. They can also give you advice about pregnancy prevention and help you get contraceptive methods if you do not want a new pregnancy right away.
What happens if I had more than 1 miscarriage?

If you have had more than two miscarriages in a row, your doctor may decide to do some tests to help determine if something specific is causing problems with your pregnancies. The tests will look for hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders or other problems. Some conditions can be treated to help you have a healthy pregnancy in the future.