“I am so sorry,” I say.
“You did nothing that caused this miscarriage and there is absolutely nothing you could have done differently.”
I ensure that my patient not only hears me, but acknowledges what I’m telling her.
Caiaimage/Rafal Rodzoch/Getty Images
As an ob/gyn, most days I’m certain I have the best job in the world.
Here are some of the most common and persistent myths I encounter as an ob/gyn.
But despite how common they are, many people aren’t aware of the facts.
Asurvey published in 2015found that public awareness of miscarriages is fraught with misconceptions.
More so, a significant percentage of survey respondents believed that lifestyle choices caused miscarriage.
(If you take one thing home from this piece:they do not.)
About half of miscarriagesare directly related to fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
Chromosomes are the structures inside cells that contain genetic material.
It goes up to 40 percent at age 40, and 80 percent at age 45.
So reproductive health planning and pre-conception health care are really important.
Another concern many of my patients have is that a fall can cause a miscarriage.
Rest assured: There is absolutely no biological basis for any of these.
A normal pregnancy is implanted in the uterus on a supportive layer of cells called the endometrium.
When you stop using birth control pills, ovulation resumes.
Vaccination of the mother is themost effective wayto protect the fetus and will not put the pregnancy at risk.
Though not medically necessary, some doctors recommend waiting until you have one regular period before trying again.
And if you dont want to become pregnant again, you’re free to start using contraception immediately.
Miscarriagesare very difficult and people often feel very alone after experiencing one.
Talk to your gynecologist or health care team.
And remember, its not you.
You did nothing to cause the miscarriage.
Repeat it again: You did nothing to cause the miscarriage.
Dr. Yalda Afshar is an ob/gyn at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
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