Miscarriage: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Healing
An estimated 23 million miscarriages happen around the world each year[1]. As common as the experience is, it doesn’t make miscarriage any easier.
Understanding why miscarriage happens and that it’s not your fault can help you cope. Today, we’re discussing how miscarriages are diagnosed, treated, and how you can find hope and healing. Keep reading to learn more!
What is a Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. An estimated 10 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage[2]. It’s thought that around 26 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage[2], though the exact amount is unknown because many occur before the pregnancies are discovered.
What Causes Miscarriage?
There are several conditions that cause miscarriage, most of which are out of your control. In fact, nearly half of all first-trimester miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, many of which happen by chance[3].
Other possible causes and risk factors include:
Older age
Infection
Certain medications
Malnutrition
Hormonal imbalances
Abnormalities in your uterus
Improper placement of the fertilized egg in your uterus
Incompetent cervix (opens too soon)
Uncontrolled diabetes
Kidney disease
Congenital heart disease
Thyroid disease
Immune system disorders (such as lupus)
Lifestyle factors, such as drinking, smoking, and drug use
It can be easy to blame yourself when the pregnancy ends, but you have to remember that it’s not your fault. Even lifestyle factors don’t put you at fault if you didn’t know that you were pregnant. Keep this in mind as you take steps toward healing!
What are the Symptoms of Miscarriage?
The most obvious miscarriage symptom is vaginal bleeding. That being said, light bleeding is very common during the first trimester and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage. Don’t panic, but reach out to your doctor so they can monitor your symptoms.
Other signs of miscarriage include:
A sudden decline in pregnancy symptoms
Abdominal cramping
Vaginal bleeding or spotting
Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately to get the treatment you need!
How are Miscarriages Diagnosed?
Miscarriage Diagnosis
There are a variety of tests that can be done to diagnose a miscarriage. To begin, your doctor may take a look at your cervix to see if it’s started to dilate. From there, they may perform a(n)[4]:
Ultrasound. If an ultrasound can’t detect the fetal heartbeat, it’s possible that a miscarriage has occurred.
Blood test. Next, your doctor may measure your human chorionic gonadotropin (also known as the pregnancy hormone) levels through a blood test. If your levels have dropped since your last test, it could indicate a miscarriage.
Tissue test. If you’ve passed tissue, your doctor can have it tested to confirm that you’ve had a miscarriage.
After your tests are complete, your doctor may diagnose you with a(n):
Missed miscarriage. A missed miscarriage (also known as a silent miscarriage) is when the embryo stops developing or dies in the womb. Missed miscarriages don’t produce any symptoms, so they can be especially shocking for women who didn’t realize they were pregnant.
Threatened miscarriage. A threatened miscarriage means that there is potential for a miscarriage to occur. You may be bleeding, but your cervix hasn’t started to dilate. Thankfully, these pregnancies often continue successfully.
Inevitable miscarriage. If your miscarriage symptoms can’t be stopped, the miscarriage is considered inevitable.
Complete miscarriage. If you’ve passed all the pregnancy tissue from your uterus, the miscarriage is complete.
Incomplete miscarriage. If the miscarriage has begun, but some pregnancy tissue remains in your uterus, the miscarriage is incomplete.
Septic miscarriage. A septic miscarriage refers to an infection that develops in the uterus. It can be a serious condition that demands immediate treatment.
How are Miscarriages Treated?
The treatment you need depends on the kind of miscarriage you’re having. Your doctor may recommend[4]:
Bed rest. Women experiencing threatened miscarriages may be advised to go on bed rest. This usually includes avoiding traveling, exercise, and sex. While not proven to prevent miscarriage, bed rest can keep you from overworking yourself and increase your physical comfort.
Medical treatment. If you’re experiencing an inevitable miscarriage, you can speed the process up. Your doctor may administer misoprostol to help your body pass the pregnancy sooner. For most women, this method usually works within 24 hours.
Expectant management. If you haven’t shown any signs of infection, you can choose to let the miscarriage end naturally. If you can’t pass the pregnancy tissue after a certain point, you may need surgery to prevent an infection from developing.
Surgical treatment. If you’re experiencing a septic miscarriage, you may need to undergo a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the pregnancy from your uterus.
How Long Does the Bleeding from a Miscarriage Last?
The amount of time the bleeding from a miscarriage lasts varies from woman to woman, depending on:
How far along you were in your pregnancy
Whether you were carrying one baby or multiples.
How long it takes for your body to expel the placenta and fetal tissue
For example, the bleeding from a later miscarriage may last up to two weeks, while the bleeding from an early miscarriage may only last a few hours. Regardless of how much you bleed, miscarriage can be a frightening and devastating experience. Lean on your loved ones and be in touch with your doctor in case you need any help. You deserve support, comfort, and care through this fragile time!
Are Miscarriages Painful?
Every women’s situation is different. Some women experience painful cramps, while others have little to no symptoms[3]. The amount of pain you feel largely depends on the type of miscarriage you’re having. For example, if you have a missed miscarriage, you won’t experience the same physical pain as a woman who’s having a septic miscarriage.
How to Cope with Miscarriage
Although physical pain varies, the emotional toll of miscarriage can be overwhelming. Many women experience depression, anxiety, and even blame themselves after their miscarriage[5].
If you’ve ever experienced a miscarriage, please know that it was not your fault (as mentioned earlier!). You deserve to find hope and healing! There are many ways to cope with miscarriage. For example:
Take care of your physical health. It’s important to help your body physically recover after a miscarriage. Get plenty of rest, eat nutritious food, and stay hydrated. Whenever you feel up to it, consider trying new hobbies or activities that could provide an emotional release.
Avoid emotional triggers. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health! If you’re not in a good head space, avoid heavy-handed media, such as TV shows or podcasts. If posts about pregnancy or motherhood are too difficult for you to see, consider taking a break from social media. Surround yourself with things that comfort you and bring you peace of mind!
Be patient with yourself. You don’t walk a straight line from grief to happiness. There will be many emotional ups and downs as you process your miscarriage. Don’t push yourself to move on too quickly or ignore your feelings. Be patient with yourself and take all the time you need to grieve!
Talk to a therapist or join a support group. You don’t have to face your trauma on your own. Consider talking to a therapist or joining a support group. The sense of community and mutual understanding may remind you that you’re not alone and that your feelings are normal.
Memorialize the baby. Acknowledging the loss in a meaningful way may bring you some closure. For example, you could make a charitable donation in your baby’s honor or host a memorial.
Free Ultrasounds in Huntsville, AL
If you think you might be having a miscarriage, don’t hesitate to get the care you need! At HPRC, we provide free ultrasounds and a confidential environment to work through your emotions. No matter what you may be feeling, our client advocates are here to show you the support and compassion you deserve.
Give us a call at (256) 533-3526, text us at (256) 376-4405, or book now (huntsvilleprc.org) today. No insurance needed!
Sources
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, April 27). Miscarriage matters: The epidemiological, physical, psychological, and economic costs of early pregnancy loss. Pubmed.gov. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33915094/
Dugas, C., & Slane, V. H. (2022, June 27). Miscarriage. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532992/
Miscarriage: Causes, symptoms, risks, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9688-miscarriage
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 16). Miscarriage. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354304
Emotional Healing After a Miscarriage: A Guide for Women, Partners, Family, and Friends. Georgetown University School of Nursing. (2020, October 5). Retrieved from https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/blog/emotional-healing-after-miscarriage-guide-women-partners-family-friends/