What do miscarriages mean

A miscarriage generally occurs for reasons outside your control and nothing can be done to prevent or stop it from happening. Most women who have had a miscarriage will go on to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. A miscarriage is the loss of your baby before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The loss of a baby after 20 weeks is called a stillbirth. Up to 1 in 5 confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage before 20 weeks, but many other women miscarry without having realised they are pregnant. If you think you are having a miscarriage, see your doctor or go to your local emergency department.

Many women experience vaginal spotting in the first trimester that does not result in pregnancy loss. There are several types of miscarriage — threatened, inevitable, complete, incomplete or missed. Then there are also other types of pregnancy loss such as ectopic , molar pregnancy and a blighted ovum. Many women wonder if their miscarriage was their fault.

In most cases, a miscarriage has nothing to do with anything you have or have not done. There is no evidence that exercising, stress, working or having sex causes a miscarriage. Most parents do not ever find out the exact cause. However, it is known that miscarriages often happen because the baby fails to develop properly, usually due to a chromosomal abnormality that was spontaneous, not inherited. Living healthily — no cigarettes, no alcohol and little to no caffeine — can decrease your risk of miscarriage.

Most women who have had a miscarriage will go on to have a successful pregnancy. If you have had one miscarriage, the chance of you miscarrying again stays at 1 in 5 pregnancies. Conditions that can interfere with fetus development include: poor diet, or malnutrition drug and alcohol use advanced maternal age untreated thyroid disease issues with hormones uncontrolled diabetes infections trauma obesity problems with the cervix abnormally shaped uterus severe high blood pressure food poisoning certain medications Always check with your doctor before taking any medications to be sure a drug is safe to use during pregnancy.

Miscarriage or period? When trying to distinguish between a period and a miscarriage, there are several factors to consider: Symptoms: Severe or worsening back or abdominal pain as well as passing fluids and large clots could indicate a miscarriage.

Time: A miscarriage very early in pregnancy can be mistaken for a period. However, this is less likely after eight weeks into a pregnancy. Duration of symptoms: The symptoms of a miscarriage typically get worse and last longer than a period. Miscarriage rate by week.

Miscarriage statistics. Miscarriage risk. These include: body trauma exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation drug use alcohol abuse excessive caffeine consumption smoking two or more consecutive miscarriages being underweight or overweight chronic, uncontrolled conditions, like diabetes problems with the uterus or cervix Being older can also affect your risk for miscarriage. Miscarriage types. Depending on your symptoms and the stage of your pregnancy, your doctor will diagnose your condition as one of the following: Complete miscarriage: All pregnancy tissues have been expelled from your body.

Threatened miscarriage : Bleeding and cramps point to a possible upcoming miscarriage. Inevitable miscarriage: The presence of bleeding, cramping, and cervical dilation indicates that a miscarriage is inevitable. Septic miscarriage: An infection has occurred within your uterus. Miscarriage prevention. Here are a few recommendations: Get regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy.

Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking while pregnant. Maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy. Avoid infections. Wash your hands thoroughly, and stay away from people who are already sick. Limit the amount of caffeine to no more than milligrams per day. Take prenatal vitamins to help ensure that you and your developing fetus get enough nutrients. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Miscarriage with twins. Miscarriage treatment. Engage in a symbolic gesture that may help with remembrance.

Some women plant a tree or wear a special piece of jewelry. Seek counseling from a therapist. Grief counselors can help you cope with feelings of depression, loss, or guilt. Join an in-person or online support group to talk with others who have been through the same situation. These may include: blood tests to detect hormone imbalances chromosome tests, using blood or tissue samples pelvic and uterine exams ultrasounds.

Parenthood Pregnancy. Know your family medical and genetic history. Go to all of your scheduled prenatal visits and discuss any concerns with your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you have fever; feel ill; notice the baby moving less; or have bleeding, spotting, or cramping.

Trying Again After a Miscarriage If you've had a miscarriage, take time to grieve. Some other things that can help you get through this difficult time: Find a support group. Ask your doctor about local support groups for women who are trying again after a loss.

Find success stories. Other women who have had a successful pregnancy after having a miscarriage can be a great source of encouragement. Your doctor might know someone to talk with.

During future pregnancies, it can help to: Be proactive. The more you know about the medical aspects of your pregnancy, the better you'll be able to discuss treatment options and outcomes with your doctor.

Monitor the baby's movements. If you're far enough along to feel kicks and jabs — usually between 18 and 22 weeks — keep a log of the baby's activities each morning and night and report any changes or lack of movement to your doctor.

If your baby isn't moving, eat or drink something sugary and lie down on your side. You should feel at least 10 movements in a 2-hour period. If you don't, call your doctor right away. Try not to compare. Women's Health Issues, ; Para A, et al. Exercise and pregnancy loss. Moscrop A. Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage? A concise history of not knowing. British Journal of General Practice. Risk factors for miscarriage from a prevention perspective: A nationwide follow-up study.

BJOG: An international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. Louis GMB, et al. Fertility and Sterility. In press. Early pregnancy loss. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed Aug. November Obstetrics and Gynecology. Wick, MJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 5,