Human life is complicated. Its inception from a single cell to a complex multi-cellular human being is indeed a phenomenal thing . A mother nurturing a life in her womb is often associated with a series of events, which affect the delivery. One of the most common types of pregnancy losses is Miscarriage.
1. What is a miscarriage?
Defined as loss of pregnancy on its own within the first 20 weeks of gestation, this potential complication is often emotionally and physically draining for women. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time, but considering the great number of recognized instances of miscarriages, it helps to be well-informed about it. There are about 10 million cases of miscarriages per year in India. As with most pregnancy complications, remember that the best person to consult in this time is a professional healthcare provider.
2. Causes
The reasons for miscarriage are varied, and most often the cause cannot be identified. During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal or genetic abnormality. Other causes could be infection, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, mother's age and maternal trauma, or exposure to radiation or toxic substances.
3. Symptoms
Some symptoms of miscarriage include mild to severe back pain, severe cramps, bleeding which progresses from light to heavy, abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, white - pink mucus, tissue with clot-like material passing from vagina, fever can also be associated with these symptoms. It is important to consult a professional healthcare provider if one experiences any of these symptoms.
4. Treatment
The main treatment option for miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhage and/or infection. During early pregnancy, the body expels all fetal tissue itself and does not need any further medical supervision. If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a dilation and curettage, known as a D&C. Drugs may be prescribed to help control bleeding after the D&C is performed.
Unfortunately, miscarriages can affect anyone. Women are often left with unanswered questions regarding their physical recovery, their emotional recovery and attempts to conceive again. It is very important that women try to keep the lines of communication open with family, friends and health care providers and vice versa during this time.
5. Prevention
Since the cause of most miscarriages is chromosomal abnormalities, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. One vital step is to follow a healthy lifestyle before conceiving to aid it.
● Regularly exercise
● Eat healthily
● Manage stress
● Keep weight within healthy limits
● Take folic acid daily
● Do not smoke or drink alcohol
● Check with doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications
● Limit or eliminate caffeine
● Avoid environmental hazards such as radiation, infectious disease, and x-rays
● Avoid contact sports or activities that have a risk of injury
(by Meghanshi 4 th sem, LHMC)
Image Source: Medical Xpress
