Miscarriage is a common problem that mainly occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. According to statistics, 20% of pregnant women experience a miscarriage during the first trimester. After determining that you are pregnant, several signs and symptoms such as severe cramping and bleeding may indicate the onset of a miscarriage in Phoenix. It is necessary to visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment if you experience signs such as lower back pain, bleeding, and cramping.
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What causes a miscarriage?
A miscarriage is pregnancy loss before 20 weeks or during the first trimester. You may experience a miscarriage as a result of medical reasons beyond your control. However, it is necessary to be aware of some of the risk factors that increase your chances of having a miscarriage, such as:
- Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Exposure to chemicals and toxic substances
- Health conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease
- Obesity
- Trauma
- High blood pressure
- Cervical problems
- Infections
- Malnutrition
- Hormonal issues
Types of miscarriages
- Complete miscarriage. If you have a complete miscarriage, you pass all pregnancy tissue from your uterus. This happens before 12 weeks of pregnancy
- Incomplete miscarriage. Tissue from pregnancy remains in your uterus and some get out.
- Threatened miscarriage. This is characterized by vaginal bleeding and may suggest that you are at risk of losing your baby. However, your pregnancy may continue with no difficulties.
- Inevitable miscarriage. You may not pass tissue out yet during this type of miscarriage. However, you may experience severe cramping and more vaginal bleeding compared to a threatened miscarriage.
- Recurrent. This is when you lose three or more pregnancies subsequently during the first trimester.
Diagnosis
If you experience signs of a miscarriage such as cramping and bleeding, your doctor may conduct various tests that include:
- Ultrasound: Involves the use of sound waves used to check for the baby’s heartbeat.
- A pelvic examination to determine whether your cervix has dilated
- Blood test. This helps your doctor look for pregnancy hormones in your blood and test for anemia if you had severe bleeding.
- Chromosome tests. Your specialist may conduct this type of test if you have had several miscarriages to establish if you or your partner’s genes are the cause of the miscarriages.
What to do after a miscarriage
After you have lost a pregnancy, your doctor may suggest that you take some time, approximately 3 months, before trying to conceive again. It is also necessary to give yourself time to heal emotionally and physically. Do not blame yourself. You may consider going for counseling to help you deal with loss.
There are no ways to prevent pregnancy loss. If an underlying medical condition contributes to your miscarriage, your doctor may administer treatment to improve your chances of getting pregnant. You can observe several health practices to improve your overall health, such as:
- Limit intake of caffeine
- Maintain a healthy body mass index
- Engage in regular physical exercise
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using other drugs
- Ensure you eat a balanced diet
It is possible to get pregnant again after a miscarriage. If you have further questions concerning pregnancy loss, visit your doctor at Desert Star Family Planning to learn more about miscarriage.