Reproduction and ensuring that our descendants have a better life than ours is one of the ultimate goals of life. However, the ultimate goal can be compromised by several issues. One such major issue that you may face is miscarriage. But what even is a miscarriage? In simple words, a miscarriage is a sudden loss of pregnancy. This typically occurs when the unborn baby does not develop properly. Now the question here is - what is the cause of miscarriage? What can we do to prevent it? In this blog, we discuss what a miscarriage is, what causes miscarriage, and some methods to prevent it. So with this in mind, let's get started!
In simple words, a miscarriage is a sudden loss of pregnancy before the 20th week. Roughly around 10% to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, the actual number may be higher. This is because many miscarriages happen early on before people learn of their pregnancy. Although the term miscarriage may sound as if something went wrong during pregnancy, it is not exactly true. The typical cause of this condition is the improper development of the baby during pregnancy.
Although all miscarriages are caused by issues with pregnancy, there are different types of miscarriages. Some of the key types of miscarriages are as follows:
This is the type of miscarriage where you have no idea it even happened. It does not have any symptoms, however, can be detected with an ultrasound scan.
In this type, the pregnancy is completely lost and the uterus is empty. The symptoms include bleeding and the passing of fetal tissue.
Recurrent miscarriage is categorized as three consecutive miscarriages. The good news here is that it is relatively rare and only affects 1% of the total pregnancy.
In this type of miscarriage, the cervix stays closed. However, you face bleeding and pelvic cramping. The pregnancy typically continues without any further issues.
In this type, you bleed, face cramping, and cervical dilation. Furthermore, you may also leak amniotic fluids. Should you see all of these symptoms, it is likely to lead to a complete miscarriage.
Now that you have a general idea of what a miscarriage is, let's talk about the symptoms that you may see during the miscarriage. While the specific symptoms may vary depending on your circumstances, some of the common symptoms are as follows:
If you pass the tissue from your vagina, we recommend you place it in a clean container and bring it to a healthcare professional office or the hospital. Do note that many people who have vaginal spotting or bleeding in the first trimester do have a successful pregnancy. However, we recommend you consult an expert if you see any of the symptoms we mentioned here.
Another key aspect of understanding miscarriage is knowing the causes along with the symptoms. So, what causes miscarriage? The specific causes vary depending on the individual circumstances. However, some of the known common causes are as follows:
Most of the miscarriages happen due to the problem with the development of the unborn baby. Most of these development issues are caused because of irregular genes or chromosomes. Roughly around two-thirds of the miscarriages in the first trimester are associated with extra or missing chromosomes. These issues with chromosomes might lead to the following:
This condition happens when no embryo forms or if the embryo is formed but is absorbed back into the body.
In this circumstance, an embryo forms but stops developing. The embryo dies before any symptoms of miscarriages occur.
Molar pregnancy occurs when the fetus does not develop. This commonly occurs when both sets of chromosomes come from the sperm when one set should come from the egg. It is linked with irregular growth of the placenta.
In the case of partial molar pregnancy, a fetus may develop. However, it does not survive. It happens when there is an extra set of chromosomes in the embryo, also known as triploidy.
Another primary cause of miscarriage is the health condition of the parent. Depending on the overall situation, having certain health conditions may lead to miscarriage. Some of the health conditions may include the following:
These are just some of the key factors that can lead to miscarriages. Depending on the specifics of your circumstances, the ideal cause can change. Regardless, we hope you understand the general gist of the overall causes.
Along with the causes, you should also understand the circumstances that are considered to lead to miscarriage but do not. Some of the circumstances that are thought to but do not lead to miscarriage are as follows:
Do note that miscarriage typically happens because of a random event that no one can control. Unless you actively seek issues with diabetes or thyroid, miscarriage is not your fault. Therefore you should not blame yourself should you face a miscarriage.
Besides knowing the causes and things that do not cause miscarriage, you should also be aware of the factors that increase the risk of miscarriage. Some of the key risk factors of miscarriage are as follows:
These are just some of the circumstances that can increase the risk of miscarriages.
After knowing the symptoms, causes, and risk factors, let's talk about some good news. The good news is that there are preventive measures to decrease the chances of miscarriage. Some of the prevention measures are as follows:
These are some of the key preventive measures you can take to limit.
Miscarriage is a major issue that can dampen the joy of parenthood and can lead to major stress. However, knowing the causes, risk factors, and preventive measures can help you greatly should it occur. Furthermore, you should understand that miscarriage is not under your control for the most part. Therefore, worrying and stressing over it is not a good idea and only makes the situation worse. Know that you cannot control when or if it happens. Should it happen, then you should consider a reproduction specialist for further consultation. In this blog, we talked about symptoms, risk factors, and preventive measures for miscarriage. If you want further insights into other aspects of reproductive health, do check out some of our other blogs. If you want the best services regarding fertility, then do visit us at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center, IVF Center In Nepal. Thank you for reading till the end.
Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy.
The best way to reduce the chances of miscarriage is to keep a healthy lifestyle. You can avoid smoking during pregnancy, eat healthy, and make attempts to avoid infections during pregnancy. While this does not eliminate the risk, it does reduce it.
Some of the people who have a higher chance of miscarriage are as follows:
Although stress is not good for your overall health, stress does not directly lead to miscarriage. That said, it can lead to other health conditions such as obesity and habits like excessive smoking and drinking which can increase the risk of miscarriage.
It depends on your circumstances and the type of miscarriage you are facing. That said, miscarriage can indeed lead to vaginal bleeding followed by cramps and pain in the lower abdomen.
If a miscarriage happens, there is nothing you can do to stop it.
To heal after miscarriage, you can follow the steps below:
Although the risk of consequent miscarriage is increased after the first one, many go on to have healthy pregnancies in the future.
There are many things that cause miscarriage with two of the main causes being genetic disorders in embryos and abnormal maternal health.