Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Miscarriage is a somewhat loaded termpossibly suggesting that something was amiss in the carrying of the pregnancy.
This is rarely true.
Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn’t developing normally.
Miscarriage is a relatively common experiencebut that doesn’t make it any easier.
Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy.
Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn’t developing normally.
About 50 percent of miscarriages are associated with extra or missing chromosomes.
Chromosomal abnormalities might lead to:
Blighted ovum.Blighted ovum happens when no embryo forms.
Molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy.With a molar pregnancy, both sets of chromosomes come from the father.
A molar pregnancy is associated with abnormal growth of the placenta; there is usually no fetal development.
A partial molar pregnancy is usually associated with abnormalities of the placenta, and an abnormal fetus.
Molar and partial molar pregnancies are not viable pregnancies.
Molar and partial molar pregnancies can sometimes be associated with cancerous changes of the placenta.
In a few cases, a mother’s health condition might lead to miscarriage.
Bed rest hasn’t been proved to prevent miscarriage, but it’s sometimes prescribed as a safeguard.
You might be asked to avoid exercise and sex, too.
Although these steps haven’t been proved to reduce the risk of miscarriage, they might improve your comfort.
Ask your doctor if it would be wise to delay any upcoming trips you’ve planned.
With ultrasound, it’s now much easier to determine whether an embryo has died or was never formed.
Either finding means that a miscarriage will definitely occur.
You may ovulate as soon as two weeks after a miscarriage.
Expect your period to return within four to six weeks.
it’s possible for you to start using any jot down of contraception immediately after a miscarriage.
But if you and your partner decide to attempt another pregnancy, double-check you’re physically and emotionally ready.
Ask your health care provider for guidance about when you might make a run at conceive.
Keep in mind that miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence.
Most women who miscarry go on to have a healthy pregnancy after miscarriage.
If the cause of your miscarriages can’t be identified, don’t lose hope.
About 60 to 80 percent of women with unexplained repeated miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies.
If you have signs or symptoms of miscarriage, contact your health care provider right away.
Depending on the circumstances, you might need immediate medical care.
Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, too.
For example:
Emotional healing can take much longer than physical healing.
Miscarriage can be a heart-wrenching loss that others around you might not fully understand.
Your emotions might range from anger and guilt to despair.
Give yourself time to grieve the loss of your pregnancy, and seek help from loved ones.
Talk to your health care provider if you’re feeling profound sadness or depression.
Often, there’s nothing you’ve got the option to do to prevent a miscarriage.
Updated: 2016-07-20
Publication Date: 2008-10-24
