Miscarriage is nothing but a pregnancy that suddenly comes to an end in the very early stages of pregnancy, this is also referred to as spontaneous abortion. You need to understand the fact that in most cases it’s not so easy to prevent miscarriages. Further, let’s dive deep into this blog to understand what miscarriage is, its causes, and the preventive ways.
Certain factors that lead to miscarriage are unavoidable, like issues with fetus development and chromosomal abnormalities. Miscarriages are not uncommon, even over 10% of early pregnancies result in miscarriage that is within the twentieth week. Simply, you can take some steps to have a healthy pregnancy, but one cannot prevent miscarriage. Reach out to the Best Pregnancy Hospital In Coimbatore for the effective management and treatment of your miscarriage.
What causes miscarriage?
There is no one exact cause of miscarriages, in some rare cases healthcare professionals will diagnose an issue that increases the risk of a miscarriage. In such cases, treating the causes of miscarriage will prevent the sudden end of your pregnancy.
– First trimester:
Nearly 80% of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, that first trimester is the period between weeks 1 and 13. The common causes of miscarriage in the first trimester include:
- Genetic abnormalities: The majority of the reasons for miscarriages in the first trimester are due to issues with the fetus’s chromosomes.
- Blood clots: This condition is referred to as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which will cause blood clots that will end your pregnancy. Also, this condition can be treated with the help of medications to prevent a miscarriage.
- Ectopic pregnancy: This serious and rare type of pregnancy occurs when the fetus is growing outside the womb. This condition cannot be saved, and this rare condition requires immediate treatment.
- Placental problems: In case, both placenta and fetus are not compatible, there are a lot of chances for miscarriage. Also, uterine issues, like unusual shape, can lead to miscarriage.
– Second trimester:
From 13 weeks to 24 weeks is the second trimester, further, there are fewer chances of miscarriage in this later stage. External health conditions or issues with the mother’s health can cause miscarriage in the second trimester. The most common causes include:
- Infection: Infections within the uterus or cervix can result in miscarriage. Also, foodborne illnesses can put women at risk for a miscarriage.
- Chronic conditions: Conditions such as hypertension, or diabetes will increase a woman’s risk of having a miscarriage. This can lead to serious conditions if it is not properly treated.
- Thyroid disease: At times, untreated thyroid conditions increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Lifestyle factors: Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and drug usage can affect the fetus development. Further, binge caffeine consumption will also cause some level of issues.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to hazards and certain chemicals can cause miscarriage. Even air pollutants are also connected with the risk of miscarriage.
– Third trimester:
The miscarriage that occurs at this stage is referred to as stillbirth. Further, the issue that causes miscarriage in the first and second trimester can also be the reason for miscarriage in the third trimester. But the common ones include:
- Pregnancy complications: This includes preterm labor pain or the placenta will get separated from the womb.
- High blood pressure: This occurs in 5 to 8 pregnancies, but mothers are at the highest risk, further, preeclampsia can change to eclampsia, a life-threatening condition for both the mother and baby.
- Infection: An infection or insufficient blood flow to the placenta can lead to a miscarriage.
- Problems with umbilical cord: In case, this cord gets squeezed or knotted, it will cut off the oxygen and blood flow to the fetus.
What are the signs of miscarriage?
The common miscarriage signs include:
– Spotting lasts for more than three days
– Bleeding
– Moderate to severe pain and cramping in your back and abdomen
– Mucus or fluid discharge from your vagina
– Weight loss
– Pregnancy loss signs like breast tenderness, nausea, and vomiting
Whenever you feel like you are experiencing a miscarriage, immediately reach out to a doctor. Further, the healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to determine the cause of the symptoms.
How can miscarriage be prevented?
As we mentioned above, there are no certain ways to prevent miscarriage, but you can take some possible steps for a healthy pregnancy, and reduce your risk of miscarriage with these tips.
– Stick to a healthy lifestyle:
Avoid unhealthy lifestyle choices like:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Usage of drugs
Further, try to limit your caffeine intake. Apart from avoiding risks, you can improve your pregnancy health by:
- Consistent exercise
- Sufficient sleep
- Eating a balanced diet
– Maintain a healthy weight:
Being obese, overweight, or even underweight will increase your risk factors during pregnancy like miscarriage.
– Take precautions against infections:
Often wash your hands, this will potentially save you from the flu and pneumonia, which can easily spread. Ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date. Discuss with your doctor about the other immunizations you needed during your pregnancy.
– Manage chronic conditions:
If you have health issues like hypertension, diabetes, or an autoimmune disease, talk to the gynecologist specialist in Coimbatore to properly manage or treat it. This will help in preventing yourself from miscarriage.
– Practice safe sex:
Some STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) can result in complications during your pregnancy. So go for a screening even if you get pregnant. Also, if you are already pregnant, get tested as soon as possible.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that in most cases miscarriages cannot be prevented, it’s the result of a chromosomal abnormality that stops fetus development. Also, remember that continuous miscarriages are not common. Notably, only 1% of the people will experience a second miscarriage right after the first. Whenever the actual cause of your miscarriage is identified, your doctor will treat the condition to prevent further miscarriages.
