Don't suffer alone from a miscarriage - let's talk about it

Pregnancy is a time when every mother has high hopes and dreams. But sometimes, those hopes can suddenly be shattered in unexpected ways. A miscarriage is such a heartbreaking and heartbreaking experience. We know it's hard to talk about this, and it's a heavy burden on the heart. But if this has happened to you, you need to first understand that it's not your fault . Let's talk about this in detail, in a way that will bring relief.

What exactly is an abortion?

Simply put, a miscarriage is the loss of a baby before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most often, this happens within the first 12 weeks, or the first trimester. Sometimes, it can happen before you even know you're pregnant. However, it can be very painful. But the most important thing is to understand that this is not something you did. Also, having a miscarriage does not mean that you can't have a healthy baby again. Many people go on to have successful pregnancies after it.

What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?

If you are having a miscarriage, you may experience one or more of these symptoms. But remember, these symptoms can also be caused by other reasons. So if you experience anything like this, it is best to see your doctor right away and get checked out.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

This is the biggest question many people have. You may be asking yourself, "Why did this happen to me?" The truth is, most miscarriages happen for reasons that neither you nor your partner can control .

Think about it, these chromosomes are the blueprint, or plan, for how a baby will grow. Everything from the baby's hair color, eye color, and health is determined by the genes on these chromosomes. Sometimes, when a fetus is developing, a small mistake happens in this blueprint. That means the number of chromosomes can be too many or too few. When that happens, the baby can't grow properly. This isn't because of anything you did.

Additionally, some health conditions in the mother may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage , but these are not very common.

Your age can also play a role. Women who get pregnant in their late 30s or 40s have a slightly higher risk of miscarriage than younger women. But remember, many women in their 30s and 40s have healthy babies without any problems.

How can you confirm this, doctor?

If you suspect you are having a miscarriage, tell your doctor clearly about your symptoms (when you started bleeding, how much you are bleeding, whether you are having pain, etc.).

The doctor will then examine you and use an ultrasound scan to check the baby's growth and heartbeat. In addition, a blood test may be done to check the level of a hormone called hCG ( Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ) in your blood. This hCG hormone is a special hormone secreted during pregnancy. If its level is low or continues to decrease, it may be a sign that a miscarriage has occurred. Sometimes, more than one scan or blood test may be needed to confirm this for sure.

Will I need to take medication or have surgery?

After a miscarriage, all remaining tissue related to the pregnancy needs to be removed from your body, that is, the uterus.

• Naturally: Most of the time, this happens naturally. After about two weeks, all of this tissue will be shed along with the blood.
• Medication: If the bleeding does not stop after two weeks, or if there is an infection, your doctor may prescribe medication to help expel the remaining tissue from the uterus. During this time, you may experience heavy bleeding, abdominal pain,, diarrhea, and nausea may occur.
• Through minor surgery: Sometimes, a minor surgery called a D&C (Dilation and Curettage) is needed. This is also called a "washout." In this procedure, the doctor gently dilates the cervix and uses a gentle suction or instrument to carefully remove any remaining tissue from the uterus.

How do you recover after a miscarriage?

Recovery can be divided into two parts: physical recovery and mental recovery. Both are equally important.

Physical recovery

It may take a month or two to physically recover. Your period will usually start again in 4 to 6 weeks. As per medical advice , avoid inserting tampons and having sex for 1-2 weeks.

Mental recovery

This is often the hardest and most time-consuming part. You may feel a lot of different emotions, such as sadness, anger, and guilt. These feelings may last for a while. This is very normal. Your partner may be experiencing this grief as well as you. Give them time to heal.

To help you deal with these feelings, you can ask your doctor about a therapist or grief counselor. You can also look into support groups with people who have gone through similar experiences. Never hesitate to ask for help from a close, trusted friend or family member.

When is the best time to try to have a baby again?

This is the most important thing. Many women who have had a miscarriage go on to have successful, healthy babies. So don't give up hope.

Talk to your doctor about how long you should wait before trying to get pregnant again. Some doctors recommend waiting until you have had one to three normal menstrual cycles. It's also important to make sure you're physically and mentally ready to get pregnant again .

If you have had more than two miscarriages (recurrent miscarriages), you can talk to your doctor about the tests needed to find out what caused them and the best ways to help you successfully have a baby.