Understanding Miscarriage: Loss, Healing, and Hope

What is a Miscarriage?

Symptoms of Miscarriage:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Passage of tissue
• Loss of pregnancy symptoms like nausea
• Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all, but it is diagnosed on an ultrasound scan

Types of Miscarriage: Understanding the Different Experiences

Threatened Miscarriage:

• This is when vaginal bleeding occurs in early pregnancy, often accompanied by mild cramping.
• The cervix remains closed, and there's a chance that the pregnancy can continue.
• Early intervention with your doctor might be helpful.

Inevitable Miscarriage:

• This indicates that a miscarriage has already begun and salvaging the pregnancy is not possible.
• Symptoms include bleeding, cramping, and possibly passing tissue.
• A complete miscarriage is likely and the doctor may offer ways to help complete it.

Complete Miscarriage:

• This occurs when all pregnancy tissue has naturally passed from the uterus.
• Bleeding and cramping typically subside within a few days.
• Ultrasounds can confirm a complete miscarriage

Incomplete Miscarriage:

• In this case, some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after bleeding and cramping.
• Medical intervention might be needed to remove the remaining tissue.

Missed Miscarriage:

• This happens when the embryo or fetus has died but hasn't been expelled from the uterus.
• There might be no symptoms, but an ultrasound will reveal the absence of a heartbeat.
• Medical intervention might be needed to remove the products of conception.

Biochemical Pregnancy:

• This is an extremely early miscarriage.
• The pregnancy test is usually positive but bleeding begins even before the pregnancy can be detected on an ultrasound scan.
• This happens when the fertilized ovum fails to implant or stops growing soon after implantation.
• Treatment is usally not needed for this condition.

Blighted Ovum or Anembryonic Pregnancy

• Blighted ovum, also referred to as an anembryonic pregnancy, is a specific type of miscarriage that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy.
• A fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus but the embryo either doesn't form at all or stops developing very early. Despite this, the body still produces pregnancy hormones and you may continue to experience symptoms of early pregnancy.
• An ultrasound examination is typically used to diagnose a blighted ovum. The ultrasound will show an empty gestational sac with no developing embryo.
• Unfortunately, there's no treatment to save a blighted ovum pregnancy. The body will naturally expel the pregnancy tissue, which can happen through vaginal bleeding and cramping similar to a miscarriage. In some cases, medication or a minor surgical procedure might be needed to remove any remaining tissue.

Recurrent Miscarriage:

• This is defined as having three or more consecutive miscarriages.
• Further testing with your doctor can be helpful in determining the cause.

Causes and Risk Factors:

• Uncontrolled chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension or thyroid disorders
• Inadvertant use of medicines that are unsafe to use during pregnancy
• Uncontrolled infections, trauma or travel in early stages of pregnancy
• Unhealthy weight, smoking and alcohol consumption
• Exposure to radiation or chemicals that may cause miscarriages

What to Expect After a Miscarriage:

• Physical Recovery: Your body will naturally start to heal after a miscarriage. Your doctor can provide guidance on recovery and returning to your menstrual cycle.
• Emotional Healing: Healing takes time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to grieve.

Coping with Loss: