Early Pregnancy Loss
Loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks is called an abortion or a miscarriage. Approximately 1 out of 6 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. In the majority of these pregnancies, the normal number of chromosomes are not present. Sometimes the membranes and placenta start to form but an embryo or baby does not develop. This is referred to as a blighted ovum. On ultrasound, this results in the gestational sac being empty without an embryo. In other cases, the embryo begins to develop but does not survive for a variety of factors. In these cases, ultrasound reveals an embryo without heart movement and the embryo measures smaller than expected.
What Causes a Miscarriage/Abortion?
There are no activities, physical or emotional, that can induce an early loss in a normal pregnancy. The majority of the time, pregnancy loss is a random process. Abortion is the mechanism to terminate those pregnancies that would not result in a healthy infant. Usually pregnancy loss is a chance event and rarely increases the risk of loss in future pregnancies.
Symptoms of Pregnancy Loss:
You may experience bleeding or cramping. Other times, you may not know that there is a problem until you have an ultrasound. Only an ultrasound can determine whether or not the pregnancy is ongoing or viable. Sometimes you may have to go for a few ultrasounds to confirm a pregnancy loss.
What Happens Now?
In the majority of cases, the abortion will occur spontaneously within 24 weeks of the diagnosis. You can expect to have cramping and bleeding. The bleeding will be heavier than a period; however, if you have a constant flow of bleeding or you are filling an overnight pad in 30 minutes or less, you need to go to your closest hospital. It is okay to take extra strength Tylenol and extra strength ibuprofen to help with pain relief. Warm baths, heating pads or hot water bottles can also be helpful. If you are experiencing a loss, it is crucial to have adequate support, both physically and emotionally.
Other options include taking a medication (misoprostol) that can begin the process of a spontaneous loss or having a procedure called a D&C. If, after having a spontaneous abortion there is retained tissue seen on ultrasound, then these options may be recommended. Tissue remaining in the uterus can lead to further bleeding, cramps and infection.
Clients with an Rh negative blood type require an injection of Rh immune globulin (Rhogam/WinRho) to prevent the formation of antibodies that could affect future pregnancies.
Future Pregnancies
After having a single miscarriage or abortion, the chances of having another miscarriage are NOT increased. If you have had 3 consecutive miscarriages, then it is recommended to see a specialist for further testing.
After a miscarriage, it is advisable to use contraception for three menstrual cycles before attempting to conceive again.
Loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks is called an abortion or a miscarriage. Approximately 1 out of 6 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. In the majority of these pregnancies, the normal number of chromosomes are not present. Sometimes the membranes and placenta start to form but an embryo or baby does not develop. This is referred to as a blighted ovum. On ultrasound, this results in the gestational sac being empty without an embryo. In other cases, the embryo begins to develop but does not survive for a variety of factors. In these cases, ultrasound reveals an embryo without heart movement and the embryo measures smaller than expected.
What Causes a Miscarriage/Abortion?
There are no activities, physical or emotional, that can induce an early loss in a normal pregnancy. The majority of the time, pregnancy loss is a random process. Abortion is the mechanism to terminate those pregnancies that would not result in a healthy infant. Usually pregnancy loss is a chance event and rarely increases the risk of loss in future pregnancies.
Symptoms of Pregnancy Loss:
You may experience bleeding or cramping. Other times, you may not know that there is a problem until you have an ultrasound. Only an ultrasound can determine whether or not the pregnancy is ongoing or viable. Sometimes you may have to go for a few ultrasounds to confirm a pregnancy loss.
What Happens Now?
In the majority of cases, the abortion will occur spontaneously within 24 weeks of the diagnosis. You can expect to have cramping and bleeding. The bleeding will be heavier than a period; however, if you have a constant flow of bleeding or you are filling an overnight pad in 30 minutes or less, you need to go to your closest hospital. It is okay to take extra strength Tylenol and extra strength ibuprofen to help with pain relief. Warm baths, heating pads or hot water bottles can also be helpful. If you are experiencing a loss, it is crucial to have adequate support, both physically and emotionally.
Other options include taking a medication (misoprostol) that can begin the process of a spontaneous loss or having a procedure called a D&C. If, after having a spontaneous abortion there is retained tissue seen on ultrasound, then these options may be recommended. Tissue remaining in the uterus can lead to further bleeding, cramps and infection.
Clients with an Rh negative blood type require an injection of Rh immune globulin (Rhogam/WinRho) to prevent the formation of antibodies that could affect future pregnancies.
Future Pregnancies
After having a single miscarriage or abortion, the chances of having another miscarriage are NOT increased. If you have had 3 consecutive miscarriages, then it is recommended to see a specialist for further testing.
After a miscarriage, it is advisable to use contraception for three menstrual cycles before attempting to conceive again.
