Let's talk about miscarriage: You are not alone.

Every expectant mother dreams of having a healthy baby. But sometimes, that hope can be shattered in unexpected ways. A miscarriage is one such emotional and painful experience. Although it can be difficult to talk about, it is important for you and your partner to be fully informed about this condition.

What exactly is a miscarriage?

Simply put, a miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy.

This is more common than you might think. But it's hard to say exactly how many miscarriages occur, because sometimes they can happen before you even know you're pregnant, even before your period is late. Typically, between 10% and 20% of pregnancies diagnosed by doctors end in miscarriage. But researchers believe the true figure could be closer to 40%.

Most of the time, that is, more than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first 3 months of pregnancy . According to a study, the risk of miscarriage after the 5th week is about 20%. But between the 8th and 13th weeks, this risk decreases to 2%-4%. After 14 weeks, the risk is less than 1%.

Could these be signs of a miscarriage?

Sometimes miscarriages can occur without any symptoms. But there are some common signs that you should be aware of. If you are pregnant, it is very important to pay attention to these signs.

If you have any of these symptoms, don't delay. Contact your doctor immediately. The doctor will tell you whether to stay home, come to his clinic, or go straight to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).

Why do these miscarriages happen?

When a miscarriage occurs, many mothers blame themselves. They think, "Did something go wrong with me?" But that's not the truth.

The main reason for most miscarriages is genetic problems in the embryo or fetus. Simply put, there is something wrong with the cells that make up the baby. The important thing is that these problems are not caused by any fault of the mother . They happen naturally.

In addition to this main reason, there are other reasons that increase the risk of miscarriage :

• Infections: Some infections in the mother can affect the fetus.
• Maternal medical conditions: Things like uncontrolled diabetes or thyroid disease.
• Hormonal problems : Imbalances in the body's hormone levels.
• Immune system responses:The mother's immune system acting against the fetus.
• Uterine abnormalities: Problems with the shape or structure of the uterus.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use .
• Exposure to radioactive or toxic substances.

Miscarriages due to cervical insufficiency

This is a slightly different situation. What happens here is that the cervix, which is like the entrance to the uterus, is not strong enough to hold the baby throughout the pregnancy. Because of this, the cervix can suddenly open without any pain and cause a miscarriage. This usually happens in the second trimester. For mothers with a history of this, the doctor will place a stitch around the cervix at about 12 weeks of the next pregnancy. It is called a `cerclage`. The stitch is left in place until the baby is close to birth and then removed.

Are there different types of abortions?

Yes, doctors divide miscarriages into several types. Knowing what type you're having is important for treatment.

How does a doctor confirm whether a miscarriage has occurred?

After listening to your symptoms, the doctor will perform several tests to confirm the condition.

• Pelvic Exam: Checks whether the cervix is ​​open.
• Ultrasound Scan: A scan is done to see if the baby's heartbeat is present. Sometimes, if it's not clear, you may be asked to do another scan in about a week.
• Blood Tests: The level of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in the blood is checked and compared to previous levels.
• Tissue Tests: If you have tissue coming out of your body, it can be sent to a lab to confirm what it is.

Can you confirm at home?

A home pregnancy test cannot tell for sure if you have had a miscarriage. This is because even if you have had a miscarriage, the pregnancy hormones do not leave your body immediately, so the test may still be positive. Therefore, you should definitely see your doctor to find out exactly what is going on.

What treatment should be done after a miscarriage?

The treatment method depends on what type of miscarriage you had and whether there is any tissue left inside the uterus.

• If a complete miscarriage occurs and the uterus is completely empty, no special treatment is usually required.
• In the case of an incomplete miscarriage , meaning that tissue remains, the doctor may offer several options.

1. Waiting: Allowing the remaining tissue to fall out on its own within a week or two.

2. Medication: Medication that causes the uterus to contract and expels the remaining tissue.

3. D&C surgery: Cleaning out the uterus. This is called D&C (Dilation and Curettage) . In this, the cervix is ​​slightly dilated and any remaining tissue is carefully removed.

If your blood type is Rh negative, the doctor will tell youA vaccine called Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is given to prevent the antibodies your body produces from harming future pregnancies.

What happens physically and mentally after an abortion?

It's normal to have some bleeding and a little cramping for a few days after a miscarriage. However, if you're bleeding heavily, have a fever, chills, or severe pain, it could be a sign of an infection. If this happens, call your doctor right away .

It's normal to feel a lot of pressure on your mind, just like what's happening to your body. You may experience a lot of emotions, such as sadness, self-blame, anger, and fear about the future.

Is it possible to have another baby after a miscarriage?

Of course you can! Having a miscarriage doesn't mean you can't have another baby. More than 80% of women who have a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies and births.

Talk to your doctor about when you should try again. Some doctors say wait a month or three. But the most important thing is to wait until you are physically and mentally ready. Never blame yourself for this.

Most miscarriages are caused by genetic factors in the fetus that we can't control. But there are things you can do before a future pregnancy. The most important of these is to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs completely.