Miscarriage: The Loss of an Unborn Child

Miscarriage can be one of the most difficult experiences a woman can go through. It will often leave a woman feeling sad, angry, alone, and confused. Many women wonder if and how they will heal, physically and emotionally, from the loss of an unborn child and what will happen if they try to conceive again. The loss of a child through miscarriage is an important time for a woman to remain open to her partner and family. Communication and emotional support that can be provided by loved ones will help tremendously in the healing process.

What Is a Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is also known medically as a "spontaneous abortion." It is the spontaneous or natural ending of a pregnancy during the early stages, usually at a gestation period of prior to 20 weeks. It is referred to as "spontaneous" because it is a natural process where as abortion, by definition, is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. It is the number one complication of early pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists approximately 10 - 25% of all pregnancies result in miscarriage with the majority of miscarriages happen during the first trimester.

What Causes a Miscarriage?

There are several factors that can affect a pregnancy and often the cause of an individual miscarriage cannot be determined. During the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy the most common cause of a miscarriage is an abnormality in the baby's chromosomes. These abnormalities are usually the cause of an egg or sperm that were previously damaged or defective. Other causes include the mother's age and overall health, hormonal problems, exposure to toxins or radiation, malnutrition, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and the use of alcohol or drugs.

Who Is at Risk for Miscarriage?

As previously mentioned the chances of having a miscarriage in the first trimester range from 10 - 25%. This statistic applies to those women who are still in their childbearing years and have good overall health. The risk for miscarriage goes up as a woman gets older. Women under the age of 35 have about a 15% chance of miscarriage. Between the ages 35 - 45 the risk goes up to 25 - 35% and women over the age of 45 can have up to a 50% chance of losing an unborn child. A woman who has previously miscarried also has a higher chance, approximately 25%, of miscarrying than a woman who has not previously miscarried.

What Are the Warning Signs of Miscarriage?

There are signs and symptoms that can be indicative of a miscarriage. If you experience any of these it is important to contact your health care provider as soon as possible in order to determine whether you could be experiencing a miscarriage. Signs and symptoms include sudden weight loss, mild to severe back pain (more intense than normal menstrual cramping), bleeding and clots from the vaginal area, discharge of mucous that is white or pink in color, an abrupt change in signs of pregnancy. Blood that is brown or bright red and is not accompanied by cramps can occur in 25 - 30% of all pregnancies during the early stages. If bleeding becomes uncontrolled you should contact your obstetrician/gynecologist.

Sources

Rousselot, Susan. Avoiding Miscarriage: Everything You Need to Know to Feel More Confident in Pregnancy. Ashland, Ohio: Sea Change P; Illustrated Edition, 2006.

Allen, Marie. Miscarriage: Women Sharing from the Heart. United States: Wiley Publishers, 1st Edition, 1993.

American Pregnancy Association

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center - Department of Labor and Delivery

www.aplacetoremember.com (accessed April 29, 2010)

www.emedicine.com (accessed April 29, 2010)

www.babyzone.com(accessed April 29, 2010)