You might have heard that 1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage. In fact, millions of women have experienced a miscarriage, and some have experienced multiple. Understanding what a miscarriage is and the signs associated with it can provide clarity as you begin to navigate your options in early pregnancy and will also help you be better prepared should it happen to you.
What Is a Miscarriage?
A miscarriage is when the growing fetus is no longer viable. Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, which is why most pregnant women decide to wait to tell people they are expecting. Sometimes, a miscarriage can happen so early on that the woman does not even know she is pregnant yet. It is estimated that these early miscarriages affect 30-50% of pregnant women.
What Causes a Miscarriage?
There are so many reasons why a woman might miscarry. The most common are:
- Low progesterone: if the hormone needed to continue a pregnancy – progesterone – is low, a woman’s body may miscarry the fetus
- Infection: things like STDs and STIs have an effect on pregnancies, so it’s always important to get tested
- Health conditions: the health of both parents as well as the fetus will play a big role in the viability of the pregnancy
- Chronic issues: there are some conditions that make keeping a pregnancy very difficult, such as PCOS, thyroid issues, blood clotting conditions, obesity, or diabetes.
It is important to note that although there are many reasons why a woman may miscarry, there could also be no reason at all. Perfectly healthy people have miscarried before, and just because a woman has had healthy pregnancies in the past does not guarantee the health of a future pregnancy.
What are the Signs of a Miscarriage?
If you are having a miscarriage, the symptoms are similar to those of period symptoms. You may experience bleeding, cramping, dizziness, and pain. During a miscarriage, your body is trying to get rid of the fetal tissue to prevent infection and get healthy again, so you may see parts of fetal tissue being passed.
What is not normal during a miscarriage is a fever, chill,s and foul-smelling discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek out medical help immediately. These could be signs of a sepsis miscarriage and there could be an infection going on.
Difference Between Abortion and Miscarriage
An abortion and a miscarriage are not the same thing. A miscarriage is the abrupt and unplanned end to a pregnancy. An abortion is the intentional ending of a pregnancy through outside intervention. There is some confusion as to whether or not miscarriage care is the same as abortion care, and this is not the case. When a woman miscarries and goes to the doctor to receive care to help rid her body of the remaining fetal tissue (this process is called a D&C) she is not undergoing an abortion, as the fetus has already died and pregnancy has already ended. For it to be considered an abortion, the fetus would have to be alive when this procedure is conducted.
Miscarriages are Common
Miscarriages are common, and if you recently found out you are pregnant, there is a chance you will miscarry. It is important to get an ultrasound to check for the fetus’s viability. PRC Grand Rapids offers free ultrasounds to pregnant women. These ultrasounds can check the gestational age, location, and viability of the pregnancy. If an ultrasound determines that a pregnancy is not viable, PRC Grand Rapids can direct you toward your next steps. Reach out today to see how we can help you during these early stages of pregnancy.