Spontaneous early miscarriage: causes, symptoms, consequences

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Miscarriage is one of the common names for spontaneous abortion. I must say, this sad phenomenon occurs quite often - up to 1/5 of cases of conception end in this way. And most often spontaneous miscarriage occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. In this article, we will cover in detail its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, ways to restore the body and much more.

Miscarriages and their types

Spontaneous termination of pregnancy, depending on the timing, is divided into three groups:

1. Interruption of biochemical pregnancy. 1-3 weeks. The uterine cavity is spontaneously released from the embryo during this period. The discharge resembles menstrual blood in its appearance, so a woman without tests cannot determine that she was pregnant.
2. Spontaneous abortion (spontaneous early miscarriage). Up to 22 weeks. The weight of the fetus in this case is no more than 400 g.
3. Premature birth (late miscarriage). Pathology manifests itself after22 weeks pregnant. At this time, it is already possible to save the child.

Highest chance of miscarriage

Speaking of the timing of spontaneous miscarriage, let's pay attention to especially dangerous periods when a woman must be most careful for the sake of the birth of her child.

First trimester	14-21 days (3rd week). 8-12 weeks.
Second trimester	18-22 weeks (4-5 months).
Third trimester	28-32 weeks (7-8 months).

Now let's decide on an early spontaneous abortion.

Types of miscarriage in the first weeks

Early miscarriage can be of two types:

1. Full. The membranes and parts of the fetus come out of the uterus, the amniotic fluid is completely poured out.
2. Incomplete. Some parts of the fetus remain in the uterus. The case is most typical for early pregnancy. Most often, the embryo comes out of the uterus, but the amniotic membranes remain. In this case, the woman needs emergency therapy - cleaning, the introduction of stimulant drugs. In addition, this is a sign for a complete diagnosis of the reproductive system, more thorough planning of a new pregnancy.

Causes of spontaneous miscarriage

The most basic reason for this in the early stages is the presence of defects in the fetus that are incompatible with life. Therefore, most often doctors do not try to stop the process. Howeverif a woman insists on preserving the fetus, then often a miscarriage can be prevented. But in this case, the expectant mother must admit that the child may be born with serious genetic abnormalities.

The reasons for the termination of a biochemical pregnancy are the "breakdown" of genes during the fusion of parental germ cells.

Early miscarriage is caused by:

• Endocrine diseases of the mother, hormonal failures.
• Tumors of the organs of the reproductive system.
• Serious pathologies of blood vessels, kidneys, heart.
• Isthmic-cervical insufficiency.
• Diagnosis of drug addiction and alcoholism in parents.
• Toxic poisoning of the mother.
• Injury, strenuous exercise.
• Nervous shock, stress.
• History of abortions.
• Rhesus conflict in parents.
• Maternal infections - rubella, tonsillitis, herpes, influenza, STIs, toxoplasmosis, etc.
• X-ray examinations.
• Taking certain medications.
• Operations on the abdominal cavity, uterus.

The most common reasons for late abortions:

• Inflammation in the uterine cavity, placenta.
• Pathological development of the placenta, its premature aging, abruption and other functional disorders.
• The placenta stops producing nutrients for the fetus.

Stages of miscarriage

Spontaneous miscarriagedemonstrate) is a four-stage process:

1. Period of threat. If you start therapy at this time, then trouble can be prevented.
2. Started abortion. During this period, doctors, despite the intensive measures taken, may no longer save the fetus.
3. Miscarriage in progress. Already a completely irreversible process - a partially or completely dead fetal egg leaves the uterine cavity.
4. Completed abortion. The remains of the fetus exit the uterus, it is restored in size.

Symptoms of spontaneous miscarriage

To prevent trouble, you need to know how it declares itself. The symptoms of early miscarriage are as follows:

• Pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes very severe.
• Cramps may be felt.
• Vaginal discharge for 1-3 days - scarlet, brown.

If a woman is not aware that she is pregnant, she may mistake these symptoms for the onset of another period. However, there are indirect signs that distinguish early miscarriage from menstruation:

• Pain spasmodic type.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea.
• Aching pain in the lower back.
• Bleeding alternates with mucus.
• Weight loss.

If the period is already 4-5 weeks, then the symptoms are different:

• Drawing pains in the lower abdomen.
• Returning nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Frequent urge to urinate.
• Discharge red-brown or bright blood spots.

It must be said thatsuch states can last up to several days.

Symptoms of the second stage of miscarriage are as follows:

• Cramping pain in the lower abdomen, in the sacrum.
• Severe dizziness.
• General weakness.
• Blood secretions come out in clots

At this stage, you should immediately consult a doctor - there is a chance to save the baby's life!

When a miscarriage has already begun, a woman feels the following:

• Sharp pain in the abdomen, lower back.
• Bleeding.
• Exit of the fetus from the uterus. If he died some time before the miscarriage, then you can see a gray bubble, full or decomposed into pieces.

Complications

Spontaneous miscarriage is primarily uterine bleeding and pain of varying duration and intensity. Why is there blood? Detachment of the fetus, its passage through the birth canal is associated with damage to small vessels. Normal bleeding lasts 4-10 days. If this period is longer, then we can talk about the development of infection, the remaining parts of the fetus in the uterus. Here you need surgical or medical treatment.

After an early abortion, the risk of developing serious complications is usually minimal. In most cases, the fetus, along with the membranes, is completely rejected by the body.

Dangerous are miscarriages that are caused by a woman at home with the help of improvised means. This is especially true in the later stages. They can lead to inflammation and even sepsis. Sometimes, because of such an act, a woman cannot become pregnant infurther.

Diagnosis

The main way to detect a threat is to conduct an ultrasound of the uterus. At the threat stage, using this study, it is possible to detect segmental contractions of the walls of this organ. When spontaneous abortion is in progress, ultrasound may show a detached ovum.

If a woman has repeated miscarriages, then genetic tests are used to look for "wrong" chromosomes.

Treatment of consequences

If there is a chance to keep the pregnancy, then the woman is prescribed the following:

• General tonic, sedatives.
• Anspasmodics that eliminate the increased tone of the walls of the uterus.
• Hormonal drugs, most often containing progesterone.
• Vitamins (folic acid).
• In the later stages, a ring is placed on the cervix, or it is surgically sutured.

If a spontaneous abortion has happened, then the elimination of the consequences of a spontaneous miscarriage without cleaning is prescribed. The doctor can choose one of the following therapy tactics:

1. Expectant. If the miscarriage is complete, then the body does not need treatment. He will fully recover in 4-6 weeks.
2. Drug treatment. To remove the remains of the fetus from the uterine cavity, a woman is prescribed stimulant drugs. The most common is misoprostol. Taking it causes a strong contraction of the organ, which helps to complete the miscarriage.
3. Surgery. If complications are identified, then similar treatment is prescribed. It is also used in connection with the individual characteristics of the female reproductive system (for example, the bend of the uterus).

Uterus scraping

Cleaning in case of spontaneous miscarriage is one of the unpleasant procedures. But with an incomplete exit of the fetus, one cannot do without it. Otherwise, serious consequences appear - inflammatory processes in the uterus, the inability to become pregnant in the future.

The procedure goes something like this:

1. Preparing a woman for surgery, enema.
2. Selecting the right type of anesthesia.
3. Mirrors and dilators open the cervix, after which the surgeon removes the fetal egg and its membranes with a cuvette.
4. The operation is completed by scraping the organ from the inside in order to prevent its inflammation.

The collected material is sent for histological examination.

Recovery of a woman

If physical he alth after a spontaneous miscarriage is restored relatively quickly, then the same cannot be said about the state of mind of a woman. Someone falls into apathy, someone seeks to forget bad habits, someone tries to get pregnant again as soon as possible. From all this, a woman should be protected by her relatives. Do not be afraid of the help of a psychologist, psychotherapist in a difficult period.

The menstrual cycle is restored a few weeks after the miscarriage. Sexual life experts advise to resume not earlier than in 1, 5-2 months. But it is better to approach a second attempt at conception in six months or a year, when the physical and mor althe state will already be fully restored.

Doctors also advise to undergo a check-up before a new pregnancy:

• Ultrasound of the pelvic systems.
• STI testing.
• Blood glucose test.
• Hormonal studies.
• Tests for biocompatibility of the blood of the father and mother.
• As prescribed by a doctor - genetic tests.
• General clinical examinations.

Don't forget about proper preparation for a new responsible state:

• Proper nutrition.
• Taking a balanced vitamin complex.
• Rejection of bad habits, excessive addiction to coffee.
• Vaccinations against a number of infectious diseases.

Prevention

Unfortunately, people are not yet able to exclude the influence of genetic characteristics on the course of pregnancy, the consequences of chronic diseases. However, there are general tips to help minimize the risk of miscarriage:

• He althy lifestyle.
• Proper and balanced nutrition.
• Weight normalization.
• Dealing with stressful situations.
• Taking vitamins.
• No alcohol.
• Minimizing serious physical activity.
• Regular consultations and examinations with a doctor.

For the most part, early miscarriage is not dangerous to a woman's physical he alth. With timely and proper treatment, the event will not damage its reproductive function. more attentiondeserves the morale of a woman who needs the support of both relatives and specialists.