Signs of Miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion and pregnancy loss, is the natural death of a fetus or fetus before it is able to live independently. Some people use a cutoff of 20 weeks’ gestation, after which fetal death is known as a stillbirth. Pregnancy loss can be painful. The main signs of miscarriage are vaginal opening or bleeding, which can vary from minor brown discharge to very heavy bleeding. Other symptoms include stomach cramps and pain.
Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg protrudes and grows from the inner lining of the uterus instead of inside. About 2–2 percent of all pregnancies are ectopic. If left untreated, they can be fatal due to internal bleeding, and there is an increased risk of losing the baby. This is a potentially serious condition
It is important to see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe and persistent abdominal pain, often on one side
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting, mostly after the onset of pain
- Pain in the tip of your shoulder
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Very faint and light headed or feeling faint. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually appear between 5 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
6 Different types of miscarriages
There are various types of miscarriages:
1) Threatened miscarriage
You may have vaginal bleeding and mild cramps, but your cervix remains closed. Half the time, the bleeding stops and your pregnancy continues normally. The other half of threatened miscarriages become inevitable miscarriages and end in pregnancy loss.
2) Inevitable miscarriage
You have increasing bleeding, and your cervix opens. If this happens, there is no chance of continuing your pregnancy.
3) Incomplete miscarriage
Some pregnancy tissues come out of your uterus, and some stay inside. You may need follow-up treatment to remove the remaining tissue.
4) Complete miscarriage
All the pregnancy tissue comes out of your uterus. You do not usually require any additional treatment.
5) Missed miscarriages
You have no cramps or blood. But ultrasound shows a fetus without a heartbeat or an empty pregnancy sac without a fetus. The tissue usually passes by on its own but you may need treatment.
Causes of miscarriages
It can be difficult to know why an abortion occurred, but it is almost never caused by a pregnant person. Common activities such as sex, exercise, working, and taking most medicines do not cause abortion. Minor injuries, such as falls, do not usually cause miscarriages.
Some of the things that cause miscarriage include:
- When the fertilized egg has an abnormal number of chromosomes (genes). It happens at random, so you can’t stop it or cause it to happen.
- Some diseases, such as severe diabetes, may increase the chances of miscarriage.
- A very severe infection or a major injury may cause miscarriage.
- Late miscarriage occurs after 3 months and may be due to uterine abnormality.
- If you have more than 2 consecutive miscarriages, you are more likely to have an abortion.
What are the symptoms & signs of miscarriage?
Usually, miscarriage occurs as soon as the symptoms of miscarriage increase. Spotting turns into heavy bleeding; the cramps begin and become stronger.
In pregnant women, any of the following symptoms can be a sign of miscarriage:
- vaginal bleeding or cramps, with or without cramps; This bleeding can happen much earlier in your pregnancy(discharge) – before you miss your menstruation and know that you are pregnant – or it can happen later when you know you are pregnant. This is the most common symptom.
- Mild to severe lower back pain or abdominal pain or cramps, either continuously or intermittently.
- A blood-clot-like material or ghee of clear or pink fluid passing through the vagina.
- Decreased pregnancy signs, such as loss of breast sensitivity or nausea.
The other symptoms may be such as
- Stomach cramps and pain
- Mild to severe back pain
- Weight loss
- Liquid discharge from the vagina
- Vaginal tissue or clotted discharge
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Contractions
How do you know if you had a miscarriage?
Bleeding and mild discomfort are common symptoms after abortion. If you are bleeding heavily with fever, chills, or pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately. These may be signs of an infection.
Can a Miscarriage Be Prevented?
Miscarriage is usually not preventable and often occurs because pregnancy is not normal. If a specific problem is identified with the test, treatment options may be available. Sometimes, treating a mother’s disease can improve her chances of a successful pregnancy.
How is a miscarriage diagnosed and treated?
Doctors will perform a pelvic exam, an ultrasound test, and blood work to confirm the abortion. If the abortion is complete and the uterus is empty, further treatment is usually not required. Sometimes, the uterus does not completely empty, so a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure are performed. During this procedure, the cervix is dilated and any remaining fetal or placental tissue is gently removed from the uterus.
As an alternative to D&C, your body may be given some medications to flush out the contents in the uterus. This option may be more ideal in someone who wants to avoid surgery and whose condition is otherwise stable. Blood work is done to determine the amount of a pregnancy hormone (hCG) to monitor the progress of miscarriage.
When the bleeding stops, you will usually be able to continue your normal activities. If the cervix is tapered, you can be diagnosed with an incompetent cervix and if the pregnancy is still viable, a procedure can be done to close the cervix (called the cerclage). If your blood type is Rh-negative, your doctor may give you a blood product called Rh immune globulin (Rogan). This prevents you from developing antibodies that can harm your baby as well as your future pregnancies.
What happens during a miscarriage?
Signs of miscarriage vary from person to person, but there are some common symptoms. Not all abortions are physically painful, but most people have cramps. The cramps are actually strong for some people, and light for others (like a period or less). Vaginal bleeding and passing of large blood clots up to the size of lemon are also common. Heavy miscarriage bleeding can be scary or surprising, but it is usually normal.
The bleeding and cramps may end quickly, or it may last for several hours. Your doctor can give you medication and tips to manage pain and cramps during an abortion. No matter how fast or no it hurts or hurts miscarriage can be annoying. Contact your doctor about what is happening and how you are feeling. Your doctor can tell you what is normal and is not normal, and you can give resources for emotional support if necessary.
Can you get pregnant following a miscarriage?
At least 85% of women have normal pregnancies and births after abortion. Having an abortion does not mean that you have fertility problems. On the other hand, about 1% of –2% of women may have repeated miscarriages (three or more). Some researchers believe that it is related to an autoimmune reaction. If someone has two miscarriages, you should stop trying to conceive, use birth control, and ask your health care provider to take a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the miscarriage.
When these symptoms are not concerning?
It is important to know that mild vaginal bleeding or spotting during the first trimester is common, and this does not mean that you are having an abortion. Some pain can be felt at the end of the first trimester in the form of stretch ligaments of your body in early pregnancy. Some women may experience some cramps due to the implantation of fertilized eggs or during or even after sex. Similarly, the symptoms of pregnancy can vary and decrease as time progresses. If you have any concerns about something that you are feeling, talk to your GP or midwife. If you cannot talk to your GP or midwife, call NHS emergency number 111 at any time of the day.
