Are you also suffering from this? Let's talk about miscarriage

This is a difficult and heartbreaking topic for many people to talk about. But today we are talking about the loss of a baby during pregnancy , that is, a miscarriage. You may feel sad and scared when you hear this. But knowing these things is very important, especially if you are expecting a baby. Let's talk about this in detail, okay?

What is a miscarriage?

Simply put, a miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before a baby has started growing in the womb and is able to survive on its own, meaning before it has developed properly. Sometimes this can happen before a mother even knows she is pregnant. In fact, miscarriages are more common than you might think.

Most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy, before the 12th week. However, very rarely, miscarriages occur after 20 weeks. We call these stillbirths . We will talk about that later.

What happens during a miscarriage?

Sometimes, before a woman even knows she's pregnant, she may feel like she's bleeding a little more than her usual monthly period. Then she doesn't realize it's a miscarriage.

But some people who have a miscarriage may experience symptoms like these:

• Back pain accompanied by lower abdominal pain.
• Spotting.
• Bleeding that is much heavier than a normal period.
• Stomach pain , or pain in the lower abdomen.
• Feeling lifeless.
• Back pain .

Important: Don't panic if you see a little spotting on your underwear. Many expectant mothers experience spotting in the early days of pregnancy and have a healthy baby without any problems. However, to be on the safe side, if you experience any of these symptoms, such as spotting or anything else unusual at any time during your pregnancy, be sure to see your doctor for advice.

What is a stillbirth?

According to most doctors, a stillbirth is the death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This can happen before the baby is born, or it can happen during the birth. It is sometimes called intrauterine fetal death or antenatal death .

Some factors that affect stillbirthsThere are risk factors . For example:

• Smoking .
• Obesity .
• Placenta problems.
• Pregnancy extending beyond 42 weeks.
• Some infectious conditions.

However, there are also cases where the exact cause of many stillbirths cannot be determined.

The main sign of a stillbirth is a decrease in baby's movements. If you feel that your baby is not moving as usual or moving less, inform your doctor immediately. The doctor can do an ultrasound to check the baby's heartbeat. Or, if it's a little later in the pregnancy, do a fetal non-stress test . This involves attaching small devices to your abdomen and recording the baby's heartbeat, movements, and uterine contractions.

Why do miscarriages happen?

Most of the time, the main cause of miscarriage is a problem with the baby's chromosomes. Simply put, chromosomes are the little things that contain the basic blueprint for the baby's entire body. If there is any error in these, the fetus will not be able to develop properly.

In addition, things like these can also affect a miscarriage:

• Changes in the mother's hormone levels: For example, low or high thyroid hormone .
• The mother has uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
• Exposure to harmful substances in the environment and workplace: Things like radiation or toxic agents .
• Some infectious conditions.
• Having some abnormalities in the uterus.
• Incompetent cervix: This occurs when the cervix begins to open slowly before the baby is fully developed and ready to come out. This makes it difficult for the baby to stay inside the womb.
• The mother is taking certain medications: For example, medications like Accutane for acne.

Also, pregnant mothers who have these habits are more likely to have a miscarriage:

• If you smoke: Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes enter the mother's blood, reducing the amount of oxygen the baby receives.
• If you use alcohol and illegal drugs.

What happens after an abortion?

When a woman has a miscarriage, the doctor will perform a special pelvic exam and ultrasound.A test will confirm this. If there is no fetal tissue left in the uterus, or if the miscarriage occurred very early in the pregnancy, most people will not need additional treatment.

However, sometimes there may be a fetus or other tissue left in the uterus. If that happens, the doctor may need to remove it. The doctor may give you medicine to help the tissue pass out on its own. Or, the cervix may be dilated, which can be done like this:

• D&C (Dilation and Curettage): This involves scraping and cleaning out the lining of the uterus . Many people also call this a "cleaning."
• D&E (Dilation and Extraction): This involves inserting a device into the uterus and scraping out any remaining fetal tissue or placenta.

After this type of treatment, there may be some bleeding or abdominal pain for a few days.

If a baby dies late in pregnancy, the doctor may induce labor and delivery. After the baby is born, if the cause of death is still unknown, the doctor may order tests on the baby and placenta to help find the cause.

For women who have had multiple miscarriages in a row, doctors perform tests to check for any physical, genetic, or hormonal problems that may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Can miscarriages be prevented?

Most of the time, a miscarriage cannot be prevented. Because, as mentioned earlier, it is caused by a defect in the baby's chromosomes or a problem with the development of the fetus. However, some things, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, increase the risk of miscarriage.

Good prenatal care helps keep both mother and baby healthy throughout pregnancy. So if you're pregnant, be aware of these things:

• Eat a good nutritious diet, especially foods rich in folic acid and calcium .
• Take prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor daily.
• Exercise regularly, with your doctor's approval.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Pregnant women who are overweight are just as likely to have a miscarriage as those who are underweight.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol completely.
• Avoid certain foods (e.g. deli meats, unpasteurized cheeses - such as feta) as they can cause infections such as Listeriosis .
• Limit beverages containing caffeine .
• If you are a smoker, stop it now.
• Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, most medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) are not safe to use during pregnancy.
• Avoid activities that can put a heavy strain on your stomach.
• Make sure you have received all of your required vaccines on time.
• Be aware of diseases and genetic conditions in your family.
• Be sure to go to the doctor every day you are scheduled to see him. Talk to the doctor about any questions or concerns you have.
• If you have a fever, feel unwell, feel like your baby is moving less, or if you experience bleeding, spotting , or lower abdominal pain , contact your doctor immediately.

Trying again after a miscarriage

If you have had a miscarriage, give yourself time to grieve and recover. Losing a baby during pregnancy is like losing a loved one. Give yourself time to heal, both mentally and physically. Some doctors advise waiting at least one menstrual cycle, or longer, before trying to get pregnant again.

Here are some other things that can help you get through this difficult time:

• Find a support group. Ask your doctor about groups for women trying again after a miscarriage.
• Find success stories. You can be encouraged by the experiences of other women who have had a miscarriage and then had a successful pregnancy. Your doctor may be able to help you find someone to talk to.

These things will help during your next pregnancy:

• Be proactive. The more informed you are about the medical aspects of your pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to talk to your doctor about treatment options and outcomes.
• Monitor your baby's movements. Once you start to feel your baby kicking and kicking (usually between 18 and 22 weeks), keep a journal of your baby's movements every morning and night. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes or if you notice a loss of movement. If your baby isn't moving, try eating something sweet (either a food or drink) and turning over on your side. You should feel your baby move at least ten times in a two-hour period. If you don't, call your doctor right away.
• Don't compare. No two pregnancies are exactly the same. So, don't compare this pregnancy to a previous pregnancy that ended in miscarriage.
• Stay positive. Believing that everything will work out will help you stay positive.

Finally, take-home message:

A miscarriage is a very painful experience for a woman to go through. But remember, you are not alone. Most miscarriages are not caused by any fault of the mother. The cause is often something that is beyond her control, something related to the development of the fetus.

If you have had a miscarriage, give yourself time to grieve and process it. If necessary, seek medical advice and psychological counseling. Talk to your family and friends about this.

If you're trying to get pregnant again, it's important to practice good health habits, follow proper medical advice, and above all, take great care of your physical and mental health.

` Abortion, Miscarriage, Baby Loss, Pregnancy, Stillbirth, D&C, Postpartum Care