Beginning miscarriage: signs, symptoms, first aid

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

According to statistics, every fifth pregnancy ends in a miscarriage. There are many reasons why the fetus dies both in early and late pregnancy. Consider how to understand that a miscarriage has begun, how doctors diagnose it, what the therapy is and how to provide first aid to a woman who has begun to reject a fetus. We will also consider preventive measures that help prevent miscarriage in the future.

What is a miscarriage?

After conception, the embryo may spontaneously leave, in this case they speak of a miscarriage, which is called a miscarriage. The death of the fetus can occur both a few days before the miscarriage, and a few hours. It often happens in the first trimester of pregnancy. If a woman has had more than two miscarriages in a short time, experts talk about miscarriage andprescribe appropriate therapy.

Types of miscarriages:

• spontaneous can happen even in the first month after conception (sometimes a woman may not be aware of a spontaneous miscarriage that has begun, since the fetus comes out in the form of menstruation, but more abundant and with blood clots);
• early miscarriage occurs before the 3rd month of pregnancy (the fetus is still small in size);
• late occurs in the second trimester and often such children die (in the third trimester, babies can already be saved with modern equipment and a doctor's qualifications; there are good chances to nurse children from 500 g, but not always and not in all regions Russia).

Abortion that occurs before the 22nd week is called a miscarriage, if it happens later then it is classified as a preterm birth.

In addition to the most common causes of miscarriage, a woman's age is an important factor. Often 40-year-old expectant mothers ask if a miscarriage can begin. Experts note that they are indeed at high risk, so they often suggest that women 40+ plan pregnancy, as well as carefully monitor its course.

The diagnosis of "threatened miscarriage", regardless of the degree, with proper treatment and compliance with the doctor's prescriptions, in the vast majority of cases ends with delivery on time.

What is the difference between early and late miscarriages?

Miscarriages are divided into two main groups. If startingmiscarriage occurs before 12 weeks of fetal development, they speak of early spontaneous abortion, in the period from 12 to 22 weeks - this is a late miscarriage. After this period, the child is considered viable and under certain conditions it can be released, although a long rehabilitation will be required.

Early miscarriages differ from late miscarriages with less blood and a minimal risk of side effects and consequences. If spontaneous abortion occurs at a later date, it is accompanied by profuse bleeding, sepsis may develop, and often leads to the inability to have children in the future.

The reasons for development are also different. At an early stage, abortion often occurs due to mechanical stress (lifting a load, too active lifestyle), various infections, stress and hormonal failure. In the later stages, miscarriages are due to the fact that the uterus does not stretch under the influence of the growth of the fetus and begins to gradually release it. Placental abruption often occurs.

Causes of early miscarriage

This may have different preconditions. Among the main causes of an early miscarriage are the following:

• Diseases caused by infections. It can be either a sexually transmitted disease or a common virus, resulting in fetal rejection.
• Abortion. Women who have had abortions or other surgical interventions in the uterine cavity in the past are at a high risk of miscarriage. Because as a result of suchmanipulations in the normal functioning of the reproductive system were violated.
• Genetics. A miscarriage that has begun at an early stage of pregnancy can be triggered by genetic abnormalities of the fetus. If a certain element incompatible with life develops in one of the chromosomes of the embryo, it is rejected. According to statistics, this factor is the main cause of early miscarriage in 70% of women.
• Strong stress. Depression or severe stress that a mother experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy can affect the condition of the fetus and cause spontaneous abortion.
• Hormonal failure. With a large amount of the male hormone (testosterone) and a deficiency of progesterone, a normal pregnancy is impossible.
• Rh-conflict between mother and fetus. If the mother and child have a different Rh factor, the mother's body perceives the fetus as a foreign body and rejects it.
• Heat temperature. If a woman has a temperature above 38 degrees for several days at an early stage, intoxication of the body begins. This leads to a decrease in her immunity, the chances of holding the fetus are significantly reduced.
• Uncontrolled medication. Strong analgesics and antibiotics can cause early miscarriage.
• Wrong lifestyle. How the expectant mother behaves, what she eats, significantly affects the development of the fetus.

Causes of late miscarriage

The vast majority of women are diagnosed with an early miscarriage, but there are those who may have a spontaneous abortion at termpregnancy 13 - 22 weeks. In this case, it is not associated with genetic abnormalities, since the fetus is already almost formed.

Factors that lead to late miscarriage:

• isthmic-cervical insufficiency or underdevelopment of the cervix - can be caused by hormonal disorders or mechanical damage during a previous delivery;
• Uterine pathology - inflammatory processes, neoplasms in the uterine cavity, as well as anomalies in its development (bicornuate, saddle-shaped, unicornuate uterus - all this can provoke a miscarriage);
• placental defects: hypoplasia, delayed maturation, calcosis (cyst formation) - this can lead to premature detachment;
• thrombosis of the umbilical cord vessels - as a result of this, the baby’s power source is blocked and the fetus dies over time (in this case, they say that a miscarriage began during a missed pregnancy);
• Rh factor - is indicative in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Also, at a later date, spontaneous abortion can begin if the mother has a number of chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preeclampsia). Often a miscarriage can be triggered by emotional or physical stress.

Symptoms of an incipient miscarriage in the first trimester

Spontaneous abortion according to symptoms begins in almost all women the same way - there are spotting discharge with blood impurities. They are like menses. This is due to the fact that the fetus is rejected gradually and this lastThe process may take several weeks. Some people confuse it with menstruation, but at the same time, blood clots appear that resemble a bubble that has burst. The color of the selection can be scarlet or, conversely, dark red.

Other signs of an incipient miscarriage:

• appears nausea, sometimes even vomiting;
• pain in the lumbar and lower abdomen;
• disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea).

This symptomatology can be present not only with spontaneous abortion, but also with a slight hormonal failure during pregnancy, as well as when the ovum is attached to the wall of the uterus. To determine this, the doctor conducts a diagnosis.

Symptoms of late miscarriage

Such a pathological process as a late miscarriage is reversible. At the same time, experts distinguish several types of spontaneous late abortions and, depending on the form, decide whether to continue the pregnancy or not.

Classification of late abortions:

• the threat of abortion develops when the uterus is in good shape, while the condition of the fetus and placenta is satisfactory (miscarriage in this case can be avoided);
• started miscarriage - the cervix opens a little and the fetus begins to be rejected;
• abortion in progress - both the fetus and the surrounding membranes partially leave the uterus (this can be a complete or incomplete miscarriage);
• missed pregnancy - fetal death can also cause miscarriage (inin this case, no conservative treatment helps).

There is also such a thing as an inevitable miscarriage, when it is not possible to maintain a pregnancy even with early diagnosis.

Symptomatically, a late miscarriage is similar to an early miscarriage. It is accompanied by pulling pains in the lower abdomen, while there may not be any discharge. For some, spontaneous abortion after the 13th week, on the contrary, is accompanied by profuse bleeding, but they occur periodically.

If the fetus froze, the first signs may appear 3-4 weeks later. Symptoms in this case are uncharacteristic of a normal miscarriage, since there is no discharge. But the woman feels weak, possibly dizzy and fever. Also, the movements of the baby are not heard.

Diagnosis of spontaneous abortion

Having figured out how a miscarriage begins in early pregnancy and noticing these signs in herself, a woman should definitely consult a specialist. He will conduct an appropriate diagnosis of the condition of the fetus and mother. With the help of diagnostic measures, it is possible to identify the causes that contributed to spontaneous abortion.

The doctor can determine deviations from the normal course of pregnancy by examining the patient. If in doubt or to clarify the diagnosis, a pregnant woman is assigned an ultrasound, hormonal and colpocytological examination.

During a visual examination, the doctor checks how the size of the uterus corresponds to the specified periodpregnancy. On palpation, it looks how the uterus contracts and whether the neck is shortened.

Colpocytological examination can detect a miscarriage long before the first symptoms appear in a woman. This situation can be indicated by the hung karyopictonic index. With the help of a hormonal study, it is possible to identify possible violations or failure of the hormonal background, which in 70% of cases provokes the development of a miscarriage.

Using ultrasound, you can examine the condition of the fetus and amniotic fluid, starting from the third week of pregnancy. Deformation of the fetal egg, bleeding, or the absence of a fetal heartbeat may be detected. In this case, spontaneous abortion cannot be avoided.

How to help a woman keep a fetus?

Many women are interested in how to behave if a miscarriage has begun. What to do first? It should be understood that spontaneous abortion goes through several stages in its development. And at some stage the fetus can be saved, but at some stage it is already useless to do something.

When aching pains appear in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region and with spotting, you should seek the advice of a specialist. Most often, after the diagnosis, such a woman is diagnosed with a "threat of miscarriage" and is hospitalized in the department of pathology of pregnant women. Preservative therapy is mandatory. At the same time, it is important to observe bed rest, exclude sexual activity and emotional stress for a while.

Treatment depends on the causes of developmentspontaneous abortion. With a deficiency of progesterone, drugs are prescribed in certain doses, which are selected individually. Anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed when an infection is detected in the fetal egg. Hemostatic drugs are also prescribed if there is at least a slight spotting. It should be understood that timely therapy at the first stage of a miscarriage is almost a 100% guarantee that the pregnancy can be saved.

If the miscarriage goes into the second stage, pain and discharge become more frequent, more serious treatment is prescribed for the mother. It can be intravenous infusions, injections of medicines strictly under the supervision of specialists. In this case, the chances of bringing the baby to the due date are only 50%.

At the third stage of a miscarriage, which is accompanied by heavy bleeding, no one talks about maintaining the pregnancy. In this case, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound scan to exclude the presence of remnants of the fetal egg in the uterus. Also often in this case, cleaning (scraping) is carried out.

First aid for threatened miscarriage

If a woman understands that she is having an incipient miscarriage (pain and bleeding appear), you should immediately call an ambulance. She will be given first aid and urgently hospitalized. It is important to make sure that parts of the fetal egg do not linger in the uterine cavity. In this case, the bleeding will only increase, which is fraught with the death of the woman herself.

Until the ambulance arrives, you should take a horizontal position, drink as much water as possible and put something on the lower abdomencold for 15 - 20 minutes. If the discharge is abundant, they cannot be stopped, it is necessary to clamp the abdominal aorta by pressing the suprapubic part with your fist and bring it as close to the spine as possible. This can only be done in early pregnancy.

Prevention: what to do to prevent miscarriage?

Incipient miscarriage, especially in the early stages, can be prevented by planning ahead of time. It is important to watch your diet, lead an active lifestyle and give up bad habits.

Experts do not recommend taking a hot bath at the beginning of pregnancy and refuse to go to the bath or sauna. You should also not be subjected to additional stress or long flights, this can adversely affect the condition of the fetus.

In a stressful situation, you can take motherwort or valerian - these medicinal plants have a calming effect. And at the first sign of a threatened miscarriage, you should immediately seek help.