Miscarriage in early pregnancy: causes, symptoms, treatment, how to prevent?

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

Motherhood is a serious and responsible step in a woman's life. However, on the way to it, there may be various dangers for both the mother and the fetus. One of the most common occurrences is miscarriage in early pregnancy. What is it, and what danger does it carry?

Description

An early miscarriage is the spontaneous termination of a pregnancy. This can happen anywhere up to 32 weeks, but it most often happens in the early stages. Often there are cases of termination of pregnancy before the onset of its symptoms.

Some statistics

According to research, about 15% of all pregnancies, unfortunately, end in spontaneous abortion. At the same time, the number of women who had a miscarriage before the onset of menstruation remains unknown, since the pregnancy is interrupted for up to 3 weeks, when the expectant mother is not even aware of her condition. In this case, it can be very difficult to distinguish spontaneous abortion from the onset of menstruation,especially if the woman suffers from premenstrual syndrome.

Gynecologists also claim that the number of previous miscarriages significantly affects a woman's ability to bear a fetus in the future. Thus, the probability of recurrence after the first case is 15%, after the second 30%, and after the third 45%.

Reasons

Modern medicine does not know for sure what causes an early miscarriage (2 weeks or later). However, there are a number of alleged reasons that could provoke this condition:

• infections in early pregnancy, especially if it is a urinary tract infection;
• exposure to environmental toxins (e.g. release of chemicals at work);
• hormonal failures, especially those that occur against the background of improper thyroid function;
• defects in the uterus or cervix;
• unhe althy lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol, malnutrition, overweight);
• disturbances in the immune system;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2;
• exposure to radioactive radiation;
• late age;

• genetic abnormalities;
• psycho-emotional surge;
• physical injuries.

In the vast majority of cases, it is not possible to find out the exact cause of a miscarriage in early pregnancy. In addition, there is a genetic predisposition to these processes, so beforepregnant women are encouraged to study the family tree from both parents, as far as possible.

How a miscarriage happens

The following stages of fetal rejection are distinguished:

1. Threatened miscarriage - intrauterine bleeding, which may be accompanied by cramps or aching pain in the lower back.
2. Detachment of the placenta, as a result of which the fetus experiences an acute lack of oxygen. At the same time, it is no longer possible to stop the process, since the child dies.
3. Detachment of the fetal egg. During this period, the placenta is no longer attached to the wall of the uterus and moves towards the exit.
4. The exit of the embryo from the uterus.

Spontaneous abortion does not happen overnight. The process of miscarriage can last from several hours to several days.

Types of miscarriages

Unfortunately, this process occurs in 25% of all pregnancies. However, there are several main types:

1. Threatened miscarriage.
2. Incomplete miscarriage, which is characterized by dilatation of the cervix and bleeding.
3. Miscarriage - the exit of the fetus from the uterine cavity. The process is accompanied by bleeding, after which it is necessary to scrape the inside of the organ.
4. Miscarriage - fading early pregnancy.
5. Recurrent miscarriage - multiple miscarriages that happen in a row in the first trimesters.
6. Anembryonic pregnancy - attachment of the egg to the uterine wall without subsequent development.

How is it happeningmiscarriage in early pregnancy? In this case, a woman notes a delay in menstruation for a period of about 10-14 days, and after that menstruation begins, but much more intense and painful than usual. If a woman is aware of pregnancy, then there is pain in the lower abdomen or in the lower back, and then bleeding, which may be with clots. This condition requires medical supervision and curettage of the uterine cavity to avoid infection.

Miscarriage by week

Doctors note that there are periods in which the likelihood of termination of pregnancy is highest:

1. In the first trimester there is a risk of early miscarriage - 3 weeks or 14-21 days, as well as from 8 to 12 weeks.
2. In the second trimester, the danger appears at 18-22 weeks.
3. Third trimester likely from 28 to 32 weeks pregnant.

This may be due to a lack of progesterone in the woman's body or other factors.

Symptoms

Miscarriage is the rejection of the fetus from the uterine cavity, as shown in the photo.

Symptoms of an early miscarriage are:

acute pain in the lower abdomen;

• bloody vaginal discharge (may be red or brownish);
• increased uterine tone;
• feeling unwell - fever, headache, weakness in the body.

In the early stages, a woman may mistake a miscarriage for a delayedmenstruation and ignore it. However, if pregnancy was known, then you should definitely contact a gynecologist. If the discharge was with a slight admixture of blood, there is a possibility of maintaining the pregnancy.

Miscarriage or period?

Sometimes it can be difficult to identify an early miscarriage as the symptoms can mimic normal periods. In this case, you can resort to the following determination methods:

1. Basal body temperature measurement. It must be measured without getting out of bed after waking up. An indicator of 37 degrees is considered normal during pregnancy, if the temperature is lowered - this may indicate a spontaneous abortion.
2. Bleeding during early miscarriage may be longer than during menstruation. In addition, in some cases, a woman may notice a translucent discharge, similar to the remains of a fetal egg.

You can also take a blood test for hCG, the level of which will decrease significantly with a miscarriage.

Diagnosis

If there is a threat of miscarriage in early pregnancy, you should consult a gynecologist. The doctor will help to find out the type of pathology, as well as prescribe the necessary treatment. Diagnosis of a pathological condition begins with a medical interview in which the woman must describe in detail the symptoms she is experiencing. This is followed by an examination on a gynecological chair and an examination using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, as shown in the photo.

An early miscarriage will be evident on ultrasound.

A blood sample is also ordered to test the level of hCG (a hormone that is released during pregnancy). With a miscarriage, its concentration in the blood will drop significantly.

Based on the data obtained in the course of research, the woman is prescribed the necessary therapy, which is aimed at maintaining the life of the fetus, if the threat of miscarriage can still be stopped, or cleaning the uterus, which helps cleanse the organ of placental debris.

Treatment at risk

When the first symptoms are detected, which may indicate spontaneous abortion, therapy is prescribed to reduce the risk of miscarriage. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions. Treatment of early miscarriage involves the following points:

• it is necessary to observe bed rest, since any activity can adversely affect the woman and the fetus, doctors often recommend inpatient hospital stay to maintain pregnancy;
• important to avoid stressful situations, worries;
• in the presence of infectious and other diseases, it is important to undergo appropriate treatment under the supervision of a doctor;
• In rare cases, cervical suture surgery may be required to help keep the cervix from dilating prematurely, but the sutures are removed just before delivery.

To maintain the body, the following drugs can be prescribed:

• sedative drugs to lower levelsanxiety;
• hormonal preparations containing progesterone, for example, "Dufaston";
• antispasmodics to eliminate uterine tone;
• folic acid and vitamin complexes for pregnant women.

In addition, a woman during this period needs the most proper nutrition. Products should contain a large amount of vitamins and trace elements that are necessary for the normal intrauterine development of the child.

Miscarriage treatment

If an early miscarriage could not be stopped, then doctors choose one of the possible tactics of therapy for this pathology:

1. Expectant involves the absence of any active action in the hope that the woman's reproductive system will recover on its own.
2. Medication is necessary when the uterus is unable to cope with a miscarriage on its own. It involves taking drugs that will help the body cleanse.
3. Surgical treatment is necessary in case of structural features of the organ that do not allow it to get rid of the remains of the embryo and fetal egg on its own, as well as in case of possible complications.

When choosing any tactics for the treatment of miscarriage, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the woman, as well as conduct an ultrasound examination in order to make sure that the uterine cavity is completely cleared.

Surgery

If the uterus itself has not cleared itself of the remains of the embryo and the ovum, then surgical scraping of the organ cavity is necessary. The process can be seen in the photo. miscarriage onearly term with ignoring medical examinations or necessary surgical intervention can lead to unpleasant consequences, such as inflammation or even infertility.

The procedure is performed under anesthesia using gynecological instruments that are inserted into the uterine cavity through the cervical canal.

Rehabilitation period is about 2 months. At this time, a woman must exclude sexual intercourse.

Psychological rehabilitation

The physical recovery of the reproductive system after a miscarriage is not too long, but the return of the psyche to normal may take longer, especially if the pregnancy was long-awaited. During this period, a failed mother is easily prone to stress, depression, neurosis, and sleep disturbances.

Support from loved ones is very important.

In severe cases, mental disorders can develop that are associated with obsessions. At such moments, the help of a qualified psychologist is needed.

Possible consequences

Like any pathological condition, early miscarriage can have negative consequences:

1. Septic abortion. It occurs when an infection enters the uterine cavity, which, in turn, causes severe inflammation in the pelvic organs or even sepsis.
2. Recurrent miscarriages that may occur on subsequent attempts to conceiveand bear the child. In severe cases, this can lead to the inability to have children.
3. Posthemorrhagic anemia, which occurs as a result of the loss of a large amount of blood.
4. Endometritis is an inflammatory process in the endometrium of the uterus. Often accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge.
5. Placental polyp - part of the fetal egg remaining in the cavity of the organ. Pathology occurs when there is insufficient surgical treatment of the vaginal cavity after a miscarriage.

Such dire consequences are quite rare. Most often when using various folk remedies to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. In most cases, the woman's body is able to get rid of the membranes and the embryo on its own without consequences.

Preparing for pregnancy

Often, after a miscarriage, women do not give up trying to get pregnant again. However, so that it does not happen again, doctors advise following these recommendations:

1. You should not immediately attempt to become a mother, since after a spontaneous abortion, at least 6 months must pass. This time is necessary for the body to recover from the injury, as well as for the stabilization of the mental state of a woman who has experienced the loss of an unborn child.



2. In order to avoid recurrent miscarriage, it is important to conduct a full range of medical examinations - tests for STIs, ultrasound diagnostics of the pelvic organs, hormonal levels, genetictests, blood compatibility tests of future parents. This is necessary in order to solve possible problems before pregnancy.
3. It is important for expectant mothers to stop drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy planning, as well as to saturate their diet with important vitamins and trace elements.

Some doctors also recommend getting vaccinated against measles, rubella, chickenpox so that these infectious diseases do not appear during pregnancy.

Prevention

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to minimize the risk of early miscarriage at home. Some pathologies can manifest themselves only with the onset of pregnancy. How to prevent early miscarriage? There is no universal advice, but there are general recommendations:

• important to lead a he althy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition, moderate physical activity and the rejection of bad habits;
• You need to watch your weight, as overweight or pathologically thin women are more prone to miscarriage than people with normal body weight;
• development of stress resistance is necessary to minimize stressful situations in life that can lead to depressive states;
• need to maintain normal levels of vitamins in the body by eating a variety of he althy foods.

Also, one of the important methods of preventing miscarriage is to stop taking medications that are prohibited during pregnancy oninitial terms.

In addition, when choosing a gynecologist for pregnancy management, it is necessary to rely not only on cost and location, but also on positive and negative reviews. A miscarriage in early pregnancy can also occur due to the negligence of a doctor who did not notice the pathological condition in a timely manner.