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Miscarriage is one of the most challenging and traumatic experiences a woman can have in her lifetime. And for a woman who has miscarried before, when she gets pregnant again, it only comes with the feeling of fear, worry, and stress.
An early miscarriage happens in the first trimester, with more miscarriages occurring within the first ten (10) weeks of pregnancy.
Miscarriage is common, more common than you think. An early miscarriage occurs in 10 to 20% of known pregnancies. By chance, 1% to 4% of women will experience two consecutive miscarriages. Recurrent miscarriage, which is defined as three or more consecutive miscarriages, is uncommon.
Miscarriage is a pregnancy failure. It is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. In medical terms, early pregnancy is also known as Pregnancy failure or Spontaneous abortion, meaning the pregnancy failed to develop.
Nearly all miscarriages are caused by uncontrollable factors and were destined to occur even before the mother realizes she is pregnant.
Most times, a miscarriage occurs before the woman realises she is pregnant, but due to the various advancements in health, a woman can do a pregnancy test at home - that’s why she’s likely to know she is having a miscarriage.
So are you looking out for these signs? Here are some things you should take seriously when pregnant. And if you notice any of these signs, quickly contact your healthcare provider.
The most common sign of miscarriage is vaginal spotting or bleeding. Bright red blood and significant bleeding should raise warning flags. If your pregnancy continues after bleeding, it can be referred to as a threatened miscarriage and has to be watched by an ob-gyn.
But keep in mind that up to 1 in 4 pregnant women experience some bleeding or spotting in the early stages of their pregnancies, and the majority of these pregnancies do not result in loss. However, clotting of any kind - some get as big as an orange- should prompt you to contact your doc.
Generally, if you’re pregnant and you notice any unusual discharge from your vagina, it's time to see a doctor.
What do you do about cramping without bleeding? Take note of it too. These cramps usually feel like normal menstrual cramps and could be normal as the uterus expands during pregnancy. Sometimes cramping or uteral contractions especially when they're becoming progressively stronger - a sign of early miscarriage - occurs when the uterus contracts to expel a pregnancy.
Bleeding and cramping are also symptoms of other pregnancy problems like ectopic pregnancy. So, if you’re having cramps and bleeding after learning about your pregnancy, it’s still the same advice - see your doctor for a check-up.
Another red flag is pain. Most times, you may feel pain which later develops into cramps.
First, understand that pain is common with pregnancy. Safe to say your uterus develops a mind of its own and expands, pushing other organs to accommodate itself. This adjustment may cause you to feel sharp and stabbing pains.
But, when you begin to feel sharp and persistent pain in your abdominal region and lower back, it could be a sign.
Just as in cramping, the pains you feel may indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you feel this way or suspect any complications, reach out to your doctor.
Unusual discharge, such as blood clots or even a sudden surge of fluid, might indicate that you are losing the pregnancy. Additionally, if your discharge smells bad or is accompanied by vaginal itchiness, take it seriously.
If possible, try to collect any fetal tissue you pass in a clean container for your doctor to examine.
Typically, in early pregnancies (first trimester), most women have morning sickness or nausea. By the 12th week, the feeling usually dissipates while other women experience it throughout pregnancy.
The sudden loss of nausea during the first trimester of your pregnancy is an early sign of miscarriage. If you are experiencing loss of nausea, again contact your health care provider to be sure.
Report any form of vaginal discharge you’re worried about to your doc. However, if you notice a white–pink mucus in your underwear, it could be an early indication of miscarriage.
Also, if you experience back pain and cramping alongside the mucus, there is a greater chance of losing the pregnancy. Most times, it may be a threatening miscarriage, meaning the symptoms may persist for days or weeks before you eventually miscarry.
The foetus begins to move by the 16th week (4th month) of pregnancy. This is the period you feel your baby kicking.
If you no longer feel the movement in your tummy and no further development, it may be a sign of a miscarriage. Contact your gynaecologist immediately, and you might have to conduct an ultrasound scan.
Exhaustion and fatigue are typical experiences during pregnancy as the body undergoes a couple of changes.
In some cases, sudden fatigue during pregnancy is a sign of early miscarriage. And you may hardly realise you were pregnant because the fatigue is usually accompanied by bleeding - a sign of regular menstruation.
For this reason, women who have irregular periods may have a miscarriage without even knowing.
Visit your doctor even if you are sure you experienced a miscarriage because of the possibility that some tissue may still be there even after you have passed some of it from your body. The remnants can be very dangerous to your health.
However, if you detect and understand these signs of miscarriage on time, you can save your baby and aid give birth to a healthy child. About half of women who seek medical help after having early miscarriage symptoms can bring their unborn child to term.
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