The first symptoms of miscarriage in the early stages. Early spontaneous miscarriage, causes, symptoms, treatment

Up to 20% of women who want to become mothers experience spontaneous abortion. Miscarriage in the early stages is registered in 80% of pregnant women, and in a third of cases it occurs before 8 weeks of gestation and is caused by anembryonia. Almost every expectant mother can face the threat of miscarriage, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, that is, up to 12 weeks, but with proper and timely treatment and compliance with medical recommendations, the pregnancy ends safely - with the birth of a healthy baby.

Causes of repeated miscarriages

But the most common signs are. Heavy bleeding, like a period of bleeding that lasts more than three days.

• Cramping or pain in the lower back or abdomen.
• The disappearance of any pregnancy symptoms you were experiencing.

It has gotten better over the years, but it can still be difficult some days. There are many possible causes of miscarriage, the most common being an accidental genetic problem with the developing fetus that the body rejects because it will not be a viable, healthy human being.

The essence of miscarriage and its classification

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the termination of pregnancy when it occurs without medical intervention or mechanical intervention. As a result of a miscarriage, the fetus and membranes are expelled from the uterine cavity, which is accompanied by profuse bleeding and cramping pain in the lower abdomen.

There is nothing that can be done for this type of miscarriage as it is nature's way of creating healthy people. Many women experience this type of miscarriage and go on to have healthy, uneventful pregnancies. Recurrent miscarriages, on the other hand, are when someone has had two, three, or more miscarriages in a row. Below are the most common causes of repeated miscarriages and the following most common tests that can be performed to find out the cause of multiple miscarriages.

Common Causes of Repeated Miscarriage

Anatomical Causes Recurrent miscarriages falling under this area are, unfortunately, an area where natural therapies are unlikely to have an impact. If something within the bodily structure causes a miscarriage, it is called an "anatomical cause." Examples of this are a skipped uterus, an incompetent cervix, large uterine fibroids, or severe Asherman's syndrome.

Classification of miscarriages

Miscarriages, depending on the timing of gestational interruption, are divided into early and late:

• early miscarriages are those that occurred before the end of the first trimester, that is, before 12 weeks;
• late miscarriages - occur between 13 and 22 weeks.

Miscarriages in the early stages also include spontaneous termination of a biochemical pregnancy. About biochemical pregnancy, or rather its interruption, they say that when ovulation occurred, the egg was fertilized by a sperm, but for some reason it could not implant in the uterus and left it, and menstruation came on time or with a slight delay. Moreover, the only sign of such a pregnancy is a weakly positive test, since the level of hCG in the urine or blood does not exceed 100 units. It is difficult to calculate the frequency of a pregnancy that has barely begun and immediately ends; according to some data, such miscarriages in very early stages occur in 65 - 70%.

What does an early miscarriage look like?

Genetic Causes Sometimes recurrent miscarriages occur due to genetic defects in either the egg or sperm. Women and men over 35 are more likely to have this problem because eggs and sperm may not be as healthy as in their younger years. Most Western doctors will say there is little you can do about it, but we disagree. While we cannot influence all genetic causes, we have seen changes in sperm and in our clients after they changed to a healthier, nutrient dense, natural lifestyle.

Depending on the clinical picture, there are several stages of miscarriage:

• threat of interruption;
• incipient miscarriage;
• spontaneous abortion is in progress;
• incomplete miscarriage (at this stage, surgical intervention is required - curettage of the uterus);
• complete miscarriage.

Separately, a frozen pregnancy or a failed abortion is distinguished, when the fertilized egg has detached from the uterine wall, but has not left the uterus.

We'll look at all of this later in this article. Bleeding Blood Blood that is too thick or tends to clot can cause miscarriages. As small blood clots begin to develop in the uterus, the placenta may be cut off; leaving the fetus deprived of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. This can cause spontaneous abortion, otherwise known as miscarriage. If your pregnancy progresses beyond the 24th week before clotting begins, stillbirth or premature birth may occur.

Causes

In the threat of miscarriage in the short term, the leading position is occupied by chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo, the frequency of which is 82–88%. In second place is endometritis, which results in inflammation in the uterine mucosa, which leads to the impossibility of normal implantation and further development of the embryo. Also, spontaneous abortion in short terms is caused by anatomical and hormonal problems, infectious and immunological factors, leading to recurrent miscarriage.

Without any warning signs from the body that blood clots are forming, the danger often remains invisible until it is too late. There are several tests that can be done to determine if this may be a problem for you, but these should be done before pregnancy as part of your foresight health plan. Additionally, there are natural treatments that have been shown to be helpful with this type of problem, and we will discuss both of these topics below.

High Homocysteine ​​Levels If you have had at least one miscarriage, or your doctor has indicated that you are at higher risk of miscarriage than most women, you can find out what your homocysteine ​​levels are. Homocysteine ​​is a common sulfonic amino acid found in the body. Although it is not harmful at normal levels, when these levels become too high it can cause a condition called hypercoagulability. In general, your blood clots are much lighter than they should be. Not only can this put you at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, but it can also put your baby at risk.

Risk factors

Women who have the following warning factors are included in the high-risk group for early miscarriages:

• Age

The risk of early miscarriage increases with age. The older the woman, the more likely she is to develop this pregnancy complication. At 20–30 years of age, the risk of miscarriage ranges from 9–17%, by 35 years it increases to 20%, by 40 to 40%, and at 44 and older the risk of early miscarriage reaches 80%.

This is called an immunological disorder or immune system-based miscarriage. Previously, the only options available for this were the same procedures and medications that organ transplant patients received, but thank goodness there are natural treatments that offer some hope in this area that has been shown to be there.

Hormonal Imbalance There are many links between hormonal imbalances and recurrent miscarriages. The hormonal system is a complex orchestra of hormones that operate on a very specific schedule. If one of these hormones is out of balance, it can affect the rest of the cycle, possibly affecting early pregnancy. Some of these imbalances may be as follows.

• Parity

Having 2 or more pregnancies in the past doubles the risk of miscarriage (compared to nulliparous women).

• Miscarriages in the past

The more spontaneous abortions there were in the early stages, the higher the risk of early miscarriage of a real pregnancy.

• Smoking

If a pregnant woman smokes more than 10 cigarettes daily, her risk of early miscarriage increases significantly.

A miscarriage may take hours, days, or even weeks. Below are examples of the types of miscarriages you may experience. Very early miscarriage, which is common—up to 50% of all miscarriages—is a pregnancy that ends soon after implantation, sometimes only a few days later. You may not even know you were pregnant. This early loss is medically called "chemical pregnancy" and it once went undetected without ultra-sensitive pregnancy tests on the market.

How does a miscarriage happen?

This makes it easier to get a positive result 3 or 4 days before the due date. If a home pregnancy kit came back weakly positive, it was not a false pregnancy test. This was proof that the concept had taken place.

• Taking NSAIDs

Taking NSAIDs (aspirin, indomethacin, Nise and others) on the eve of conception suppresses the synthesis of prostaglandins and, accordingly, disrupts implantation.

• Fever

When body temperature rises (37.7 degrees or more), the risk of early miscarriages increases.

• Injury to the uterus

Mechanical trauma (fall, blow) or prenatal diagnostic methods (choriocentesis, amniotic fluid sampling, cordocentesis) increase the risk of miscarriage to 3 - 5%.

Early miscarriage: symptoms

The medical term changes to Clinical Pregnancy when the baby continues to develop normally but is miscarried before it is visible on an ultrasound. This usually occurs around 5-6 weeks into pregnancy, or within about one week of the missed period. When your period arrives, it may be late and usually heavier than usual.

First pregnancies are most associated with childhood loss. It is often very alarming, confusing and sad to say that a miscarriage has been confirmed even at an early stage of the child's development, when the consequences of life changes have simply drowned out. For those who are particularly looking forward to having a baby, especially any couples with infertility problems or for women who are recurrent reticents, this can be devastating.

• Caffeine

Excessive caffeine consumption (strong tea, coffee) is one of the risk factors for early pregnancy loss.

• Effect of teratogens

Infectious pathogens, toxic substances, and some medications act as teratogens, which also increase the risk of early miscarriage.

• Folic acid

Its deficiency during pregnancy planning and in the first 3 months after conception leads to the formation of a pathological karyotype in the fetus and termination of pregnancy.

A missed miscarriage usually occurs early in pregnancy. You may not experience any warning symptoms and discover through a routine scan that your baby is not having a heart attack, the result of a non-viable fetus. If there is an empty fetal sac, the egg is fertilized and attaches to the wall of the uterus. Unfortunately, although it may have continued to grow for several weeks, the embryo never developed.

A threatened miscarriage may last for days or even weeks before you lose your baby. At this point, you may experience one of the following.

• Light bleeding.
• The pain is similar to period pain.
• Cramps Nausea and tender breasts associated with pregnancy may disappear.
• The feeling no longer “feels” pregnant.

About 40% of bleeding episodes occur during early pregnancy, usually between 5 and 7 weeks, and occur around the time your period should have been called.

• Hormonal disorders

Lack of hormones (estrogens and progesterone), excess androgens, thrombophilic conditions (antiphospholipid syndrome) are usually the causes of recurrent miscarriage, but also cause the threat of early miscarriage.

• Stress
• IVF (up to 25% of cases)
• Rhesus conflict.

Symptoms of threatened miscarriage

The threat of miscarriage in the early stages is accompanied by the following key symptoms: pain, blood discharge from the genital tract due to a delay in menstruation.

Early miscarriage: causes

Sometimes a small amount of blood is lost when the placenta matures after about 7 weeks and takes over producing progesterone. It can be scary, but it's quite common. In most cases, your pregnancy will continue as normal without harming the baby. These situations lead to miscarriage in 20% of cases.

Sometimes the diagnosis may be wrong. Sometimes, if the corpus luteum is not functioning properly and therefore not creating enough progesterone, you will miscarry. This occurs when the cervix opens and the placenta is released from the uterine wall.

Pain

Signs of a threatened miscarriage in a short term pregnancy almost always include pain. A pulling sensation occurs in the lower abdomen and/or lumbar region, which may become more intense. In some cases (trauma, stress), the pain begins sharply, suddenly and quickly becomes cramping, accompanied by copious bleeding, which indicates the transition of a threatened abortion to the stage of abortion in progress, when it is no longer possible to save the pregnancy. When conducting a vaginal examination, a cervix of normal length is diagnosed (there is no shortening or smoothing), a closed internal os. Bimanual palpation allows you to palpate the uterus, the size of which corresponds to the period of menstruation delay, but the tone of the uterus is increased. This is determined by its density and tension (normally, the pregnant uterus is soft).

Sudden absence of “morning sickness” and breast tenderness Intuitively no longer feel pregnant. Constant heavy bleeding fills more than 1 cm of the cushion after half an hour. Unusual odor from lost blood. You can see the fruit. If your miscarriage is due to an incompetent cervix, everything will happen very quickly and your baby may be born alive.

• Weakness and nausea and a general feeling of ill health.
• Pain is pain during a bad period or labor contractions.
• Passage of pieces of placenta that look like blood clots or liver.

When any placenta remains inside the uterus, you are likely to experience fever and chills, pain, or odor.

Discharge

Discharge when there is a threat is usually insignificant, serous-bloody in nature. But it is also possible that there is no bleeding at the beginning of the development of a threatened abortion. If treatment and preventive measures are not taken in a timely manner, the blood discharge becomes more intense, its color changes from dark red (miscarriage in progress) to bright scarlet (abortion in progress). The appearance of discharge during a threatened miscarriage is associated with the gradual detachment of the fertilized egg from the uterine wall, which is accompanied by damage to the blood vessels and bleeding.

Check with your doctor as you may have an infection that requires hospital treatment. If left untreated, an incomplete miscarriage can make you very sick and may also affect future pregnancies. The main goal of treatment during and after a miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhage and infection. Illegal miscarriage most often occurs between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The earlier you are pregnant, the more likely it is that your body will miscarry on its own. Once the uterus is empty, the cervix closes, the pain stops, and bleeding slows and stops for seven days. Abortion is not all that common in companion dogs. When they do occur, abortions usually occur during the last few weeks of the bitch's pregnancy, although they can of course occur earlier. Fast bitches can actually eat any placental or fetal tissue that they expel as part of their normal hygienic activities, especially if abortion occurs early in pregnancy when these tissues are undifferentiated.

Other symptoms

Other additional signs of a threat of early miscarriage are:

Decrease in basal temperature

As a rule, doctors recommend monitoring basal temperature after making a diagnosis of a threatening early miscarriage. But in some cases (hormonal disorders, long-term absence of pregnancy), expectant mothers have and continue to maintain a basal temperature chart even before conception. Normally, when pregnancy occurs, the basal temperature exceeds 37 degrees and remains at this level until 12–14 weeks. An indirect sign of a threatened miscarriage is a decrease in rectal temperature to 37 or below.

Medical causes of early miscarriage

This can make early abortions extremely difficult for owners. Bitches can understandably become lethargic and depressed after aborting their puppies. They will require a lot of extra time, attention and love from their owners to get them through this traumatic experience.

Pregnancy symptoms - miscarriage - what the owner sees

Signs of miscarriage can be difficult for even the most attentive owners to spot. There is usually nothing obvious in the house or yard to suggest that an abortion has occurred. Bitches often lick and ingest aborted placental and fetal tissue as part of their normal grooming, especially when abortion occurs early in their pregnancy. A more common reproductive abnormality in domestic dogs is pup reabsorption, where the bitch's body actually absorbs fetal and placental tissue, leaving no evidence that puppies were ever present.

Pregnancy test

Some women are so worried about their long-awaited pregnancy that they are ready to take a pregnancy test every day. In such cases, not so long ago such a bright second line on the test fades, which is associated with a drop in the level of hCG (it is on its content that the test is based). Sometimes the test may show only one line, even in the absence of bloody discharge, which, of course, is not very good, but can be fixed.

HCG level

For each stage of pregnancy there are standards for the level of hCG in the blood. A decrease in hCG levels indicates a threat of miscarriage.

Ultrasound

This is far from an indicative sign of a threat, especially at short stages of pregnancy (for example, at 5 weeks). It is impossible to speak with certainty about the threat of miscarriage in the presence of only increased uterine tone according to ultrasound. It is possible that hypertonicity was caused by an ultrasound examination, but then the uterus relaxes again. But if a retrochorial hematoma is detected, which is a sign of detachment of the ovum, the diagnosis of threatened miscarriage in the short term is quite legitimate.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing the threat of early miscarriage is not difficult. The diagnosis is made after a thorough collection of anamnesis and complaints, general and gynecological examination. During a gynecological examination, the doctor assesses the condition of the cervix (whether it is shortened and smooth, the external os is closed), the presence or absence of blood discharge, and palpates the uterus (whether it corresponds to the gestational age or contracts in response to palpation).

An ultrasound is also required to evaluate the tone of the uterus, whether there is a fetus in the uterus and whether its heartbeat is determined, whether it corresponds to the gestational age, and the presence/absence of a retroplacental hematoma.

Laboratory methods used:

• Hormonal studies

Determination of the level of progesterone, hCG, 17-ketosteroids, thyroid hormones according to indications.

• Colpocytological examination

The karyopyknotic index (KPI) is calculated, on the basis of which a threat can be suspected in the early stages even before the clinic appears (an increase in the KPI is the first sign of a threatening miscarriage).

• Vaginal smears

This item also includes testing for hidden sexually transmitted infections.

• Blood type and Rh factor

To exclude Rh-conflict pregnancy.

• Blood clotting

Necessary for suspected thrombophilic conditions.

Treatment

Abroad (Europe, USA), they prefer not to treat the threat before 12 weeks of gestation, citing the fact that up to 80% of pregnancies are terminated due to genetic and chromosomal pathologies. In Russia, doctors insist on prescribing complex therapy if there is a threat of termination of pregnancy at any stage. The earlier treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of maintaining pregnancy. Treatment of threatened miscarriage should be comprehensive and include drug and non-drug therapy, adherence to a regimen and diet, psychotherapy, and, as a rule, is carried out in a hospital.

Basic therapy

Basic therapy means regimen and diet. Pregnant women with a threat of miscarriage are recommended to limit physical activity, including bed rest, eliminate stress and anxiety, follow a diet, sexual rest, and proper sleep. A pregnant woman's diet should contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates in balanced quantities, and the diet should be rich in vitamins. Sessions of psychotherapy and auto-training are also shown, which will help normalize the woman’s emotional state and calm down.

Drug treatment

Sedatives

Motherwort and valerian in tablets or tinctures/infusions are prescribed as sedatives.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodics (no-spa, papaverine or drotaverine) relax the uterine muscles and are prescribed for severe pain in the lower abdomen (intramuscular). Magne-B6 tablets have proven themselves well. Magne-B6 contains magnesium (an antispasmodic) and vitamin B6, which helps magnesium penetrate into the cell; 1 tablet is prescribed 3-4 times a day. Suppositories with papaverine rectally are used as suppositories when there is a threat of interruption. Papaverine is well absorbed by the intestinal mucosa and quickly relieves pain.

Hormonal drugs

Progestins (progesterone) are recommended to be taken if the function of the corpus luteum is insufficient. Progesterone is the main hormone of pregnancy, which is responsible for its preservation and further development. If there is a threat of miscarriage in the early stages, Duphaston is prescribed in a dose of 40 mg (4 tablets) immediately and then 1 tablet every 8 hours. If the signs of the threat do not stop, then the dosage is increased by 1 tablet at each subsequent dose. Duphaston contains synthetic progesterone, and treatment is continued for up to 16 weeks (until the placenta forms). Another progesterone-containing drug is Utrozhestan (natural progesterone). When there is a threat, Utrozhestan is prescribed either orally or intravaginally. Dosage: 1 – 2 capsules twice a day. Both Utrozhestan and Duphaston are well tolerated, and the drugs are discontinued gradually.

In case of underdevelopment or malformations of the uterus, it is advisable to prescribe estrogen therapy (folliculin, microfollin) to treatment with gestagens. Estrogens are prescribed in tablet and injection form.

In case of ovarian hypofunction during treatment with estrogens and gestagens, choriogonin (pregnyl) is prescribed intramuscularly twice a week.

For hyperandrogenism or immune disorders (antiphospholipid syndrome), glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, metipred) are recommended.

Hemostatics

If bloody discharge appears and there is a threat of miscarriage, hemostatic drugs are prescribed. Dicynone, Vikasol, and Ascorutin are used as hemostatic agents. Hemostatics strengthen the vascular wall, normalize microcirculation, and increase blood clotting.

Vitamins

During pregnancy, taking vitamins is recommended, since their deficiency can cause retardation in the growth and development of the fetus or developmental defects. In case of threat of early miscarriage, vitamin E (as an antioxidant), folic acid (prevention of central nervous system defects), and B vitamins are prescribed.

Non-drug treatment

Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed as non-drug treatment:

• Electroanalgesia

It has a sedative effect and reduces the severity of pain.

• Magnesium electrophoresis

Magnesium electrophoresis SMT is the introduction of magnesium preparations into the body using an electric current. Has a sedative effect, relaxes the uterine muscles.

• Electrorelaxation of the uterus

This method provides a reflex effect on the uterus, which relieves hypertonicity and relieves pain.

• Hyperbaric oxygenation

The method is based on treatment with oxygen under pressure in pressure chambers. Improves microcirculation in blood vessels, has an antihypoxic and antimicrobial effect, and prevents the formation of toxins.

• Acupuncture

Normalizes the tone of the uterus, stabilizes blood pressure, improves psycho-emotional state and sleep.

To quickly stop signs of a threatened miscarriage, you must follow a number of recommendations.

What not to do when there is a threat:

• have sex;
• drink strong tea and coffee, sweet carbonated drinks;
• eat chocolate;
• eat foods that increase gas formation: cabbage, legumes, soy (the swollen intestines put pressure on the uterus and increase its tone);
• eat fast food (high content of preservatives, stabilizers, salt);
• follow a diet to lose weight;
• visit baths and saunas (high temperatures can cause uterine bleeding and termination of pregnancy);
• take a hot bath, especially if there is bleeding;
• consume raw foods (eggs, meat, fish in the form of sushi or rolls);
• physical activity and heavy lifting (more than 3 kg);
• feel stressed, nervous;
• travel by any type of transport, especially air travel is prohibited;
• smoking and drinking alcohol.

What you can do in case of a threat:

• listen to pleasant, calm music;
• sleep (at least 8 hours a day) with mandatory afternoon rest;
• walks in the park or forest (unless strict bed rest is prescribed);
• read your favorite books;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables (except for prohibited ones) as sources of vitamins;
• aromatherapy (citrus oils, mint);
• take a warm shower;
• drink compotes, juices, herbal teas (instead of the usual coffee and black tea).

Prevention

Preventive measures against the threat of miscarriage should begin even before its onset. But even if a pregnancy has already occurred and is desired, you should not leave things to chance.

Threat of miscarriage in the early stages: how to prevent:

• do not delay registration at the antenatal clinic;
• follow all doctor's recommendations;
• categorically give up bad habits;
• avoid stress, emotional outbursts, conflicts;
• refuse to perform heavy physical work and lifting weights (it is optimal to take a vacation during the critical period - 8 - 12 weeks);
• normalize the daily routine and rest;
• reconsider your diet (give up various diets, snacks on the run, fast food);
• if possible, avoid traveling long distances, especially those associated with changes in climate and time zone;
• avoid taking medications (antibiotics, NSAIDs and some others);
• walk more often;
• Avoid abdominal injuries and falls.

During pregnancy planning, the following will help prevent the threat of miscarriage in the future:

• taking folic acid 3 months before conception;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle for at least 3 months before conception;
• correction and stabilization of chronic gynecological and extragenital diseases;
• examination and, if necessary, treatment of hidden sexually transmitted infections;
• carrying out routine vaccinations no later than 3 months before conception.

Question answer

Question:
Why can't you have sex if you're about to have a miscarriage?

During intercourse, a woman experiences an orgasm, which promotes the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin, in turn, stimulates the contractile activity of the uterus, which aggravates the detachment of the fertilized egg from its walls and aggravates the course of this pregnancy complication. In addition, in the presence of bloody discharge, the possibility of infection entering the uterine cavity and intrauterine infection of the embryo cannot be ruled out, which also contributes to termination of pregnancy.

Question:
I was discharged from the hospital with recovery after the threat miscarriage. Do I need to continue to follow the doctor’s recommendations that were given when there was a threat of termination of pregnancy?

Yes, you should definitely continue to follow all medical recommendations, as well as taking medications that were prescribed in the hospital (hormones, vitamins, antispasmodics). Even if the signs of the threat are completely relieved, any deviation (malnutrition, daily routine, heavy lifting) can again cause signs of a threatened abortion and end in termination of pregnancy.

Question:
Is it possible to use tampons if there is bleeding and a threat of miscarriage?

In no case. The use of tampons can cause infection of the vagina, cervix, and subsequently the uterine cavity.

Question:
I have a high risk of miscarriage, can I go to the pool?

If there are no signs of a threatened abortion, and the general condition allows for an active lifestyle, then visiting the pool during pregnancy is not only not prohibited, but is also recommended.

Question:
I had a miscarriage. When can I plan my next pregnancy?

Any termination of pregnancy (artificial or spontaneous) requires a break (use of contraception) of at least 6 months. After this period, you can begin planning your pregnancy.

Obstetrician-gynecologist Anna Sozinova

Unfortunately, no one is immune from a sad pregnancy outcome, such as a miscarriage. A miscarriage is a spontaneous termination of pregnancy, without any external factors. Approximately 15 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

Instead of sitting and shuddering convulsively at every signal from the body, you need to study the enemy in person, the reasons for its appearance, and also find out what the expectant mother can do to prevent this phenomenon.

Threat of miscarriage in early pregnancy

A miscarriage is always a spontaneous abortion, that is, the loss of a child without the influence of external factors. Most often characteristic of early pregnancy. This happens because the embryo, which is not yet viable, is rejected from the walls of the uterus.

Miscarriages are divided into early and late:
• early miscarriage is possible before the 12th week of pregnancy;
• late miscarriage - no later than 22 weeks.

These deadlines are designated for a reason. The fact is that further loss of the fetus is called premature birth. Miscarriages occur in approximately fifteen percent of pregnant women, but this frightening statistic concerns those women who do not change their lifestyle for the full formation and consolidation of the fertilized egg, or those women who are not even aware of their condition.

One of the types of miscarriage is considered to be a diagnosis of “threatened miscarriage.” First you need to understand that a threat is the first signal, and you need to take action immediately. Rest is the main condition when there is a threat of miscarriage. After all the doctor’s recommendations, there is a high probability of maintaining and further normal development of the child.

What can cause a miscarriage?

To our deepest regret, it is not always possible (even after a lot of research and testing) to accurately determine the causes of a miscarriage.

As we have already noted, miscarriage occurs in that percentage of pregnant women who for a long period were unaware of their condition and continued to lead their usual lifestyle, with heavy drinking or even abusing alcohol and other harmful habits.

Basically, all miscarriages are a consequence of the development of pathologies or the fact that the fetus develops with abnormalities. There is a rejection from the wall of the uterus. Based on general data, we can generalize the causes into several groups of genetic and external factors.

The main causes of miscarriage at each stage of pregnancy differ from each other:
• in the very early stages (up to approximately the sixth week of pregnancy), a miscarriage is possible due to the development of a non-viable embryo with chromosomal abnormalities, or due to severe physical exertion;
• The period at the end of the first trimester (from 6 to 12 weeks) is considered the most dangerous for the threat of miscarriage, this is due to the fact that the baby’s vital organs begin to form. A woman during this period is also in the risk category: various infectious diseases, uterine tone, weakened immunity, hormonal disorders.
• The period up to the 22nd week of pregnancy includes all of the above reasons, and also adds the fact that the uterus in this period is subject to changes in its size (as, in principle, the entire pregnancy) and it may turn out to be rather weak in order to support the fetus and opens .
• A spontaneous miscarriage after 22 weeks is already considered premature birth. It is impossible to save the baby’s life during such a birth, since the fetus is born dead.

To avoid such terrible consequences as spontaneous miscarriage, a pregnant woman should undergo regular medical examinations and report the slightest suspicion to the doctor. If a miscarriage is suspected, time counts down to minutes, each of which can save the life of your unborn child.

Symptoms of spontaneous abortion

The symptoms and signs of miscarriage are very scary. Let's say right away that the worst thing is -
This is uterine bleeding, which is life-threatening for a woman.

As with any other pathological abnormality, vaginal discharge begins, but it differs in its abundance. Discharge during a miscarriage is scarlet and sometimes dark purple in color. As a rule, this is the beginning of bleeding and it does not stop for several days. This is followed by severe cutting pain in the lower abdomen. These secretions will contain clots. They indicate that a miscarriage has occurred.

Typically, fetal death occurs some time before the first symptoms begin. It is possible to save a pregnancy if a woman goes to the hospital on time. Spotting and aching pain in the lower back will indicate that you are at risk of miscarriage.

Symptoms are divided into several stages, each period has its own:
• Initial - as a rule, the fetus can be saved. Lower back pain and slight vaginal discharge mixed with blood.
• The second stage also still has a chance to save the baby. At this stage, the woman experiences a sharp, causeless deterioration in her health, accompanied by stabbing pain in the abdomen. At this stage, the beginning of spontaneous abortion has already begun.
• The further stage, unfortunately, already indicates the complete death of the fetus. Bleeding begins, and even loss of consciousness is possible.

If you detect any signs of a miscarriage, call a doctor immediately and remain in a state of complete rest. In this situation, you should under no circumstances drive to the hospital on your own. Hospitalization and drug treatment can only be prescribed to you by a doctor who is monitoring your pregnancy.

Treatment after miscarriage

Restoring a woman’s body after a spontaneous abortion is a long and labor-intensive process, sometimes requiring the intervention of a psychotherapist.

The most important thing after a miscarriage is to stop uterine bleeding and exclude infection. It is also necessary to take tests for infection, as well as undergo a study that can identify the cause and, in the event of further pregnancy, you will be specially registered with a doctor.

After undergoing examinations by a gynecologist, a visit to a therapist is mandatory. As for restoring the menstrual cycle, this will happen about a month after the miscarriage.

Miscarriage is a difficult ordeal

Pregnancy can be long-awaited and completely unexpected, but awareness of the special situation changes the woman’s condition. That is why a miscarriage in the vast majority of cases turns out to be a real tragedy, from which it is difficult to recover both physically and mentally. Let's try to figure out what symptoms indicate an early miscarriage and what can trigger it.

What can cause a miscarriage?

In the understanding of the average person, a miscarriage is any termination of pregnancy, while doctors use this term only starting from 22 weeks. This approach is due to the fact that the average weight of a fetus at the “equator” of pregnancy reaches 500 grams, and modern medicine can save a baby with such a body weight. In the case of earlier dates, the chances of survival are almost zero. So, what are the symptoms of early miscarriage?

Genetic pathology

The first month of pregnancy, as well as the first trimester, is a very important and difficult period in the development of the embryo. It is at this time that the foundation of the whole organism is laid, cells are formed from which organs and tissues will grow. Their condition depends on the genetics of the parents: if there are certain mutations in the genes, the embryo may not be viable. In this case, a healthy mother's body stops its development and rejects the embryo, which could not survive after birth. Typically, the genetic factor is “triggered” in the period from the 5th to the 8th week, and a woman notices signs of a miscarriage in the first trimester.

If there is a hormonal factor in the interruption, the couple must undergo examination

Hormonal disbalance

The menstrual cycle and pregnancy are regulated by a huge number of hormones. So, during ovulation, luteinizing hormone is released, if a mature egg meets a sperm and conception occurs, estradiol promotes the implantation of the fertilized egg into the endometrium of the uterus, and prolactin ensures the growth of the embryo. After implantation, hCG is produced. All hormones are produced by different organs, the process of their synthesis is very fragile. Failure at any stage can cause pregnancy to fail and further miscarriage. That is why it is recommended to plan conception by first undergoing special tests, and if there is a delay and two lines on the test, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Physical factor

In the early stages, heavy lifting or falling are unlikely to provoke pregnancy fading, but such a negative impact in the presence of other “alarming” factors can cause a miscarriage at the end of the first trimester or at the beginning of the second. A woman who has learned about an interesting situation should treat her body as carefully as possible and limit physical activity. This does not mean that you need to adhere to a sedentary lifestyle - you need a balance, for example, replacing strength training with active walking, swimming or yoga for pregnant women - from the second trimester.

Physical activity should be limited at the beginning of pregnancy

Past illness

Infections are a serious threat in the early stages, especially in the first trimester. Until the 12-14th week, the placenta, which protects the fetus from dangerous external factors, continues to form and is not yet working at full capacity. This means that almost any bacteria and viruses can harm the embryo. The mother's body will not allow the infected embryo to develop, and the pregnancy will stop. Another risk factor accompanying the disease is high temperature. It is caused by infections, viruses, inflammation. A rise in body temperature above 38 degrees for several days is very likely to cause early miscarriage.

History of abortion and missed abortion

Termination of pregnancy of any nature has a detrimental effect on a woman’s hormonal background and her health in general. Due to abortion or curettage during a frozen pregnancy, the walls of the uterus can be injured, and scars form at the sites of damage. They can interfere with normal implantation of the embryo. If the embryo does not attach properly, it will not be able to receive normal nutrition and will stop developing after some time. Taking all this into account, women who have had to experience abortion, miscarriage, diagnostic curettage, and even caesarean section, need to carefully monitor their condition in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy with a history of abortion should be planned

Drug treatment

Many medications, even “harmless” and familiar ones, can be extremely dangerous not only in the first weeks, but throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, there is still no placenta protecting the fetus, but even in later stages, many aggressive substances can penetrate through it and harm the fetus. A number of medications can cause a miscarriage, which is why taking any medications and even vitamins should be agreed with your doctor. The same applies to folk remedies, because natural ones are not always safe. For example, decoctions with herbs such as nettle, parsley, St. John's wort and cornflower can cause abortion.

Wrong lifestyle

Bad habits undermine a woman’s health, and with the onset of pregnancy they become a very big threat to the fetus. Excessive alcohol consumption in the early stages, smoking, and especially drug use literally poison the body. Dangerous toxins cause numerous malformations, and in some cases, termination of pregnancy. Therefore, bad habits should be abandoned at the planning stage or at least immediately after confirmation of the fact of conception.

How does a miscarriage occur in the first weeks?

Between ovulation, when conception is possible, and the beginning of the next menstruation, about 10-14 days pass. The cycle scenario for an early miscarriage may look like this: menstruation is delayed by 1-4 days, the first discharge is accompanied by more intense than usual nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Menstruation in the new cycle turns out to be unusually heavy; 1-3 days after it begins, the woman notices a large blood clot. This may be confirmation that in the previous cycle there was a pregnancy, which was interrupted in the first days. In this case, there is no need to fear serious consequences, but a consultation with a gynecologist with an ultrasound examination would be useful. Your doctor may recommend using anti-inflammatory drugs or vitamins for prevention.

Miscarriage is difficult to recognize in the earliest stages

Symptoms of miscarriage in the first trimester

It is much more difficult to survive an early miscarriage if the pregnancy is confirmed. The following signs may indicate that the embryo has stopped developing:

• pain - the stomach pulls at the bottom, painful sensations radiate to the groin, pubis, inner thighs or lower back, after the 10-12th week the spasms may have a girdling nature, this condition is a reason to immediately consult a doctor;
• Discharge is the main symptom of early miscarriage; a woman may notice brown spotting, pink marks on her underwear, or bloody discharge, like during menstruation. Whatever the discharge, the pregnant woman needs urgent medical care; sometimes they signal not an interruption, but a detachment, which, with proper treatment, can be stopped in a hospital setting;
• tone is one of the earliest signs of an incipient miscarriage: tone is felt as tension in the lower abdomen, it may be painless, but one way or another it causes some discomfort. You should not ignore such a sign - it is better to consult a gynecologist and eliminate the threat;
• sudden disappearance of signs of toxicosis - when “pregnancy hormones” are produced, expectant mothers may feel unwell, nausea, weakness and drowsiness. If manifestations of toxicosis disappear overnight before 10 weeks, you need to be wary and monitor your own condition. If any of the above symptoms of miscarriage appear, you should consult a doctor.

If you suspect a miscarriage, you should immediately consult a doctor

Regardless of whether the pregnancy can be maintained or not, the woman needs professional medical help. If the prognosis is positive, the child can be saved; if the prognosis is negative, thanks to correct and timely treatment, it will be possible to minimize the threat to the next pregnancy.

Signs of miscarriage at the beginning of the second trimester

It is believed that the most “alarming” stage of pregnancy is the first. It is before 12 weeks that the majority of early miscarriages occur; their consequences are corrected relatively easily compared to miscarriages in the second trimester. What symptoms should not be ignored from the 13th to 22nd week and beyond?

• Pain - from the second trimester, painful sensations can be cramping in nature or resemble pain during menstruation.
• Leakage of amniotic fluid - if the amniotic sac is damaged, the discharge is clear and watery; the easiest way to detect leakage is with a pharmacy test for amniotic fluid.
• Painful urination with discharge of bloody clots from the vagina during emptying.
• Disappearance of movements - the first movements are felt after 18 weeks, they become obvious and distinct at the 20th week, if at the 21-22nd week the movements cease to be recognized, you should urgently consult a doctor.
• Bleeding - any bloody discharge at any stage is a threat, especially at the stage of development, when the placenta is already formed. The fact is that the placenta and uterus are connected by many vessels; if they are damaged, internal bleeding can begin.

Long-term miscarriage is the most dangerous

Internal bleeding is an extremely dangerous symptom that develops rapidly and poses a direct threat to a woman’s life. Its onset is indicated by severe weakness, dizziness, pale skin, increased heart rate with decreased blood pressure, and confusion. Minor internal bleeding can be indicated by pain that radiates to the stomach or shoulder.

Forecast

What will the next pregnancy be like if there is an early miscarriage? It all depends on the timing and circumstances of the interruption, medical history, age and condition of the woman. If pregnancy fading occurred in the first weeks, with the correct drug treatment and a course of physical procedures, you can try to conceive a child again after six months. If fetal development has stopped at a later stage, it will take more time to recover, and it is best to plan a pregnancy together with a doctor and under maximum medical supervision. If the miscarriage was complicated by any complications or occurred in the 5th month, assisted reproductive technologies may be required to conceive again. In any case, if there is an early miscarriage, all actions of the woman and couple must be agreed with the doctor.

The cause of miscarriage may be insufficient attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine cavity. Then its detachment occurs and is interrupted. A gynecologist may detect an insufficient amount of progesterone (the hormone responsible for the development of pregnancy) in the expectant mother, as a result of which the fetus dies in the first weeks. To avoid miscarriage, a special drug with artificial hormone support is prescribed. After the 16th week of pregnancy, there is no need to take it. The cause of miscarriage can be pathologies in the uterine cavity, for example, a tumor or polyposis, which, growing, leaves no room for the fetus, or an infection introduced into the uterus or baby's place. Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized the egg is not implanted in the uterus) almost always causes a miscarriage, because the embryo will die in the first three months of its life due to lack of space. To avoid rupture of the fallopian tube, it is necessary to diagnose a tubal pregnancy as early as possible and perform surgical intervention. Miscarriages in people over 35 years of age are explained by disturbances in the ovulation process, which is an age-related pathology. Here it is important not to despair and try again. If a woman becomes pregnant with an IUD, but the IUD remains, a miscarriage can occur at any time, since a foreign body can easily damage the amniotic sac. The hormonal background of the future parents should be studied, which is often explained by an incorrect chromosomal composition or the presence of genetic diseases in the unborn baby. The cause of a miscarriage can be abnormalities in the structure of the uterus, various scars, partitions, scars, etc. The cause of abortion in any pregnancy can be sexually transmitted infections, as well as certain immune disorders, such as anticardiolipid syndrome or antiphospholipid factor. To identify such deviations, special tests are needed. A detailed coagulogram, for example, providing information, in particular, about the presence of lupus syndrome. Chronic infections are especially dangerous. Sometimes the cause is the environment; it is believed that a miscarriage is caused by environmental problems in the female body. Pregnancy can be triggered by maternal smoking, poor diet, lack of adequate sleep, stress and other factors. In the first two trimesters of pregnancy, the cause of miscarriage can be malformations of the uterus, ICI (isthmic-cervical insufficiency). Placental abruption can occur at any stage. A miscarriage can be provoked by heavy lifting or slight falls, which rarely leads to bad consequences. Usually, if the mother is healthy and the fetus develops without pathologies, a miscarriage does not occur. But miscarriage or health problems itself can happen spontaneously or premature birth can occur. The diagnosis - recurrent miscarriage - is made if a woman has had 3 miscarriages in a row without a normal pregnancy. In this case, the chance of bearing a child is reduced, but it still exists. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate all infections, undergo a comprehensive examination and try to conceive again.

A fairly large proportion of pregnancies end in miscarriages. Sometimes this happens before the woman finds out about her pregnancy. There are several reasons why this happens.

A very common cause is injury, fall, severe bruise or other physical impact on the pregnant woman. It may also be due to lifting or carrying heavy objects. Such loads negatively affect the woman’s body, thereby leading to fetal rejection. As a result, a violation of the tightness of the uterus occurs. This leads to unexpected opening of the cervix, which leads to fetal death (regardless of the term).

The second reason is the abnormal development of the fetus in genetic terms. That is, an inferior fetus, which has a low chance of surviving after birth, is destroyed by the woman’s body. As a rule, this happens immediately after the egg, so the woman doesn’t even know about it.

The third reason is the emergence of infectious diseases during

Any expectant mother can face the threat of miscarriage, especially in the initial period of pregnancy, which lasts up to twelve weeks. The use of timely, well-chosen treatment, as well as compliance with the recommendations and advice of the attending physician, allows pregnancy to end with the birth of a healthy baby.

A miscarriage in medical terminology means a spontaneous, spontaneous termination of pregnancy, in which there is no medical intervention, and the woman’s body, for some reason, cannot cope with the task of bearing a fetus.

Most often, symptoms and certain indicators indicate that the likelihood of miscarriage is increasing.

Classification of miscarriages

There are several types of spontaneous abortion. Depending on the period of pregnancy during which the interruption occurred, miscarriages occur:

1. Early, which occurs no later than twelve weeks from the moment of conception. This includes the spontaneous termination of a biochemical pregnancy - when a fertilized egg for some reason was unable to attach to the uterus and left it. Menstruation comes on time or a little later than due. The only sign of such a pregnancy is a test showing a weakly positive result.
2. Late, occurring before the 22nd week of pregnancy.

The stages of miscarriage, depending on the clinical picture, may be as follows:

• Threat of interruption;
• Incipient miscarriage;
• Spontaneous abortion is common;
• Incomplete miscarriage (at this stage, surgical intervention is required - curettage of the uterus);
• Complete miscarriage.

Symptoms of threatened miscarriage

It is very important to know what symptoms indicate that a pregnant woman is at risk of miscarriage. They are quite small in number and many of them are characteristic of other pathologies that can appear in a woman’s body:

• The occurrence of pain.

They represent one of the most important indicators that there are problems in the expectant mother’s body. Pain in this pathology can be of a different nature and localized in the lower abdomen, radiating to the lower back and sacrum. They can be constant or occur periodically.

Usually the pain does not stop for several days and progresses in severity and time. The woman feels a pulling, cramping or sharp pain. If you receive any injury, the pain can begin very sharply and be accompanied by bloody discharge;

• The appearance of discharge.

The appearance of discharge is due to the fact that the fertilized egg is gradually separated from the endometrium of the uterus, which leads to damage to the vessels of the circulatory system. When there is a threat of miscarriage, discharge may change and be one of its first manifestations. If measures are not taken at this stage to preserve the pregnancy, the discharge becomes more abundant, its color changes from dark red, which is characteristic of an incipient miscarriage, to bright scarlet, which is a sign of an abortion in progress.

As for the second and third trimesters, bloody discharge is a sign of the onset of placental abruption. As a result of this process, the child is deprived of the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients, and if it is completely drained, the child dies.

These are the main symptoms. In addition to them, there may be a decrease in basal temperature and the level of human chorionic gonadotropin, which has its own norms for each period of pregnancy.

At the first manifestation of such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor or emergency service.

Reasons for threatened miscarriage

The causes of miscarriage are varied. They may depend on the condition of the pregnant woman herself, the fetus, or external factors. The list of the most common ones includes the following:

1. Low levels of the hormone progesterone in the body, which is necessary for the successful continuation of pregnancy;
2. The body contains an excess amount of androgens, which intensely suppress female hormones;
3. Failure of a woman’s body to accept a fetus due to genetic incompatibility with the child’s father;
4. Various Rh factors, in which the woman is negative and the father is positive. As a consequence, the occurrence of Rh conflict;
5. Increased blood clotting rates;
6. Abnormal structure of the internal genital organs, in particular, defects in the development of the uterus, its non-standard shape. All these pathologies do not allow the fertilized egg to attach;
7. The presence of developmental defects and genetic mutations in the fetus, leading to miscarriage;
8. All kinds of infectious diseases, which include rubella, chlamydia, syphilis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia and many others;
9. Presence of gynecological diseases in a pregnant woman;
10. The presence of damage in the endometrium, which appeared due to previous abortions and miscarriages with curettage;
11. Diseases of the endocrine system, including diabetes;
12. A woman’s use of medications that have contraindications for bearing a child;
13. Excessive use of certain herbs (nettle, parsley, tansy);
14. Pathology of the cervix or placenta;
15. Negative general and emotional state of a pregnant woman, in which she experiences constant stress, anxiety, and resentment;
16. Overstrain at work and late maternity leave;
17. Use of harmful substances - tobacco, alcohol, drugs;
18. Strong physical exertion, falls, blows;
19. Aging of the egg, which can make itself felt in women over 35 years of age.

Diagnostics

In order to diagnose a woman at risk of miscarriage, the doctor must first perform a gynecological examination, during which she will determine the condition of the cervix and its tone. After this, the pregnant woman is sent for an ultrasound, which will allow the doctor to have a clear idea of ​​the condition of the placenta, fetus, and structural features of the uterus.

One of the examination methods is a laboratory one, in which a complete blood test is performed to determine the amount of progesterone and male sex hormones, as well as thyroid hormones. Tests are required for all kinds of infectious diseases, and, of course, for the presence of antibodies to hCG.

Treatment

The conduct of any type of treatment is determined by the reasons that caused the threat of miscarriage and the general condition of the pregnant woman. If the situation is serious enough, doctors will recommend that she stay in the hospital. If the situation is not too dangerous, you can be treated at home.

Preservation of pregnancy depends on the period when treatment was started. Its whole essence lies in the comprehensive application of all kinds of modern methods:

1. Basic therapy, which involves following the correct daily routine, diet, limiting physical activity and eliminating all kinds of stress and anxiety;
2. Non-drug treatment, which consists of all kinds of physical procedures that have a beneficial effect on the woman’s condition.
3. Drug treatment. All medications can be taken only after consulting with your doctor. If there is a threat of miscarriage, use:

• sedatives to calm a woman’s nervous system;
• antispasmodics, which help relax the muscles of the uterus;
• hormonal drugs, among which progesterone is released, which allows pregnancy to develop normally;
• hemostatic drugs that serve to stop bleeding, strengthen the vascular wall, normalize microcirculation, and increase blood clotting;
• vitamins that promote the full development of the fetus.

In order to stop signs of threatened miscarriage as quickly as possible, you must follow the following recommendations:

1. Do not drink carbonated drinks, strong coffee and tea, chocolate, fast food, and unheated foods;
2. Temporarily stop intimate life;
3. Do not follow a diet to lose weight, eat high-quality and nutritious food;
4. It is prohibited to visit baths, saunas, or take a hot bath;
5. Avoid physical activity and stress;
6. It is not recommended to travel, especially air travel;
7. Do not consume alcohol and tobacco products.

Forecasts

When diagnosing the threat of miscarriage in the early stages in the future, this will not in any way affect subsequent pregnancies, since there is a minimal percentage of the likelihood of this situation reoccurring.

The situation is more serious when the threat of miscarriage is observed after 20 weeks. In this case, there is a high probability of losing the child. The consequences of such a miscarriage often include the following complications:

1. Infection of the uterus;
2. Abscess in the pelvic cavity;
3. Septic shock;
4. Fatal outcome (extremely rare).
5. Depression, feeling of constant guilt due to the loss of a child.

Preventing the threat of miscarriage

Since there are a large number of reasons that cause this pathology, preventing the threat of miscarriage seems difficult. However, it is necessary to follow basic rules that will help avoid all sorts of unpleasant consequences:

1. It is necessary to prepare for pregnancy in advance by first having both future parents undergo an examination. At the same time, tests are taken to determine genetic compatibility, the likelihood of Rh conflict, and various diseases that may subsequently negatively affect the course of pregnancy;
2. If any diseases are detected, they must be treated before pregnancy;
3. An important factor is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits.

Those women whose first pregnancy occurs over the age of 30-35 years need to take special care of themselves and undergo periodic examinations at the antenatal clinic.

Miscarriage refers to the spontaneous termination of pregnancy. Up to 1/5 of all cases of conception end in miscarriage, and the likelihood of this pathological phenomenon is higher before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms of a miscarriage rarely go unnoticed, and sometimes this allows a woman to see a doctor in time, get treatment and keep the baby.

Spontaneous (spontaneous abortion), as doctors often call miscarriage, is classified into three types, depending on the timing of its onset:

1. Termination of biochemical pregnancy. In this case, the uterine cavity is cleared of the embryo during the first to third weeks of pregnancy, determined only by taking an analysis for the presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood and urine. A woman most often perceives the released blood as menstruation and does not even suspect that she could become pregnant.
2. Early miscarriage (spontaneous abortion). Pregnancy is terminated before 22 weeks, and the weight of the fetus does not exceed 400 grams.
3. Late miscarriage, or premature birth. In this case, the symptoms of the pathology are observed after the 22nd week of pregnancy, and the baby can often be saved.

What are the features of early incomplete miscarriage?

A woman’s spontaneous miscarriage can be complete or incomplete. In the first case, all parts of the fetus and its membranes, as well as amniotic fluid, are excluded from the uterus. An incomplete miscarriage occurs when some parts of the fetus remain in the uterine cavity. Typically, incomplete miscarriage occurs in early pregnancy. Most often, the patient’s embryo is expelled, but the amniotic membranes are not separated.

To prevent serious consequences from developing, the woman needs cleansing and other treatment methods (for example, the administration of drugs that contract the walls of the uterus and push out blood and remnants of the membranes). Precisely because there is a possibility of incomplete miscarriage, an ultrasound of the genital organs should be performed after it. If the result of your first pregnancy was an early miscarriage, further attempts at conception should be made only after a thorough examination!

Probability of miscarriage by week of pregnancy

During gestation, there is a period that is most threatening for spontaneous termination of pregnancy. The likelihood of miscarriage is especially high in the early stages - in the first month. If we consider the risk of pathology by week, it is as follows:

• In the first trimester - 14-21 days, or the third week of pregnancy, as well as the period from 8 to 12 weeks.
• In the second trimester, the threatening period occurs at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy, that is, the danger is great 4-5 months after conception.
• In the third trimester, the period of possible premature birth usually occurs at 28-32 weeks of pregnancy, that is, spontaneous expulsion of the fetus occurs at 7-8 months of pregnancy.

The expectant mother should be especially careful during these periods and be sure to follow all doctor’s recommendations!

Why does a woman’s body reject the fetus?

The causes of miscarriage at a very early stage are most often associated with the presence of defects in the embryo that are incompatible with life. In this regard, treatment and attempts to maintain pregnancy until 12 weeks are not advisable. If a woman is unable to get pregnant for a long time, or she insists on preserving the fetus, doctors are often able to prevent a miscarriage. But a pregnant woman should be warned about the risk of genetic defects in the fetus and, if possible, undergo the necessary examination.

Early miscarriage may have the following reasons:

• “breakdown” of genes during the fusion of egg and sperm (these reasons cause miscarriage of biochemical pregnancy at the earliest stage - in the first month);
• disruptions in hormonal balance, diseases of the endocrine glands;
• tumors of the reproductive system;
• isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
• severe pathologies of the heart, kidneys, blood vessels;
• drug addiction, maternal alcoholism, toxic poisoning in the first month of pregnancy;
• severe stress, nervous shock;
• heavy physical activity, injuries;
• history of abortion;
• taking certain medications, x-ray examination.

Sometimes the causes of miscarriage are surgeries on the abdominal cavity and uterus, infectious diseases (rubella, toxoplasmosis, herpes, flu, tonsillitis, any STIs). There are also immunological reasons for the threat of termination of pregnancy - for example, Rh conflict in parents.

The causes of late miscarriage are often due to inflammatory processes in the placenta or uterine cavity. Sometimes these reasons are associated with the pathological development of the placenta and disruptions in its functioning - with detachment, aging. The likelihood of miscarriage is high if the placenta at any stage stops producing the nutrients the baby needs. There are many factors that can provoke symptoms of spontaneous abortion at any stage, but some of them can be successfully prevented by the expectant mother.

Stages of miscarriage

Signs of a miscarriage can occur in a woman at the very beginning of the pathological process. In total, there are several stages during spontaneous abortion:

1. Threat stage. If treatment is started at this time, the pregnancy can be maintained. Sometimes a woman has a risk of miscarriage throughout her pregnancy.
2. The second stage, or the beginning of abortion. Even if the expectant mother went to the hospital not at the threat stage, intensive treatment measures often help save the baby.
3. The third stage, or miscarriage, is in progress. In this case, the woman is already undergoing a spontaneous abortion, and this condition is irreversible. The fertilized egg dies and leaves the uterus completely or partially.
4. The fourth stage, or completed abortion. The uterine cavity is cleared of fetal debris, and the organ restores its size. At this stage, it is imperative to do an ultrasound of the genital organs.

Threatened miscarriage: how to recognize the symptoms in time

Symptoms of threatened miscarriage in the early stages usually boil down to the following manifestations:

• pain in the abdomen (in its lower part);
• vaginal bleeding (usually blood comes in the form of spotting scarlet or brown discharge for 1-3 days);
• sometimes the pain becomes very severe and is accompanied by cramps.

If a woman did not know that she managed to get pregnant, she may mistake the symptoms of a threat for another menstruation. Therefore, experts clarify that there are indirect signs of miscarriage that distinguish it from menstruation. Among them:

• diarrhea and nausea;
• pain in the form of spasms;
• weight loss;
• blood from the vagina, alternating with mucus discharge;
• aching pain in the lower back.

Symptoms of a threatened miscarriage can also appear late in pregnancy, more often at 4-5 months. In this case, subjective signs of pathology may include frequent nausea, nagging abdominal pain, reddish-brown discharge or bright blood spots, increased urge to urinate, and dizziness. The duration of the first stage of miscarriage is not necessarily short: sometimes this condition lasts several days and requires emergency hospitalization.

Clinical picture of an incipient miscarriage

At the second stage, when the miscarriage is already underway, the symptoms of the pathology become more noticeable. They boil down to cramping pain in the abdomen and sacrum, general weakness, and severe dizziness. Blood flows out of the vagina in the form of clots, and these secretions intensify with movement. Immediate consultation with a doctor at this stage in some cases leads to saving the baby, for which conservative or surgical treatment is performed.

Symptoms of miscarriage include sharp pain in the entire abdomen and lower back, significant blood loss and the release of the fertilized egg from the uterus. If the fetus died a few days before release, the woman may see a small gray bubble, whole or divided into parts. In case of incomplete miscarriage, cleaning of the uterus (curettage) is urgently carried out, without which the consequences can be tragic.

What happens after a miscarriage and how long will the bleeding last?

Signs of a miscarriage are primarily uterine bleeding and pain, which occur with varying severity and duration for each woman. Blood flows because when the fetus detaches and passes through the birth canal, small vessels are injured, that is, wound surfaces are formed. You should definitely monitor how long the blood is released. Normally, this period is 4-10 days. If after 14 days you still experience bleeding, you should definitely consult a doctor and have an ultrasound done. Such symptoms may indicate infection of the uterus or the presence of remaining parts of the fetus in it. In some cases, a woman has to undergo surgery or undergo medication treatment.

Possible complications of miscarriage

The consequences of a miscarriage can be quite serious. Fortunately, any complications are rare, and in most cases the body independently releases parts of the embryo and membranes.

Sometimes a life-threatening miscarriage occurs in the later stages or when trying to induce it at home using improvised (folk) remedies. Complications include:

• Septic abortion. An infectious lesion of the uterus can lead not only to severe inflammation in the pelvis, but also to sepsis.
• Repeated miscarriages. For some women, improper treatment during the first failed pregnancy leads to further miscarriages or the inability to become pregnant.

Diagnosis of threatened miscarriage

The main method for identifying signs of miscarriage is ultrasound of the uterus. During the study, at the threat stage, segmental contractions of the organ walls are detected, which often resolves after hormonal treatment. If a miscarriage is visualized in progress, then an ultrasound will indicate detachment of the fertilized egg and a strong contraction of all the walls of the uterus. To find the cause of repeated abortions, genetic tests are often performed to look for “broken” chromosomes. Of great importance in the diagnosis of spontaneous abortion is the collection of anamnesis and the presence of clinical signs.

Drug treatment for threatened miscarriage

If a decision is made to continue the pregnancy, the doctor must do everything possible to make this happen. A woman is prescribed pills for miscarriage and injections, including:

1. sedatives, restoratives;
2. hormonal medications (usually containing progesterone, for example, Duphaston);
3. antispasmodics to eliminate increased tone of the uterine walls;
4. vitamins, especially often folic acid.

Such drugs will help a woman in the early stages of pregnancy. If the threat of miscarriage continues at a later stage, a ring is placed on the cervix or it is sutured.

Treatment after miscarriage: pills

If it is not possible to stop a spontaneous abortion, the doctor chooses one of the following tactics:

1. Expectant. In case of a complete miscarriage, the woman does not require any treatment, and within 2-6 weeks her reproductive system will recover from the pathological process.
2. Drug treatment of miscarriage. It consists of taking special tablets that will complete the removal of parts of the fetus from the uterine cavity.
3. Surgery. It will be required if there are complications or structural features of the woman’s genital organs (for example, if the uterus is bent).

The miscarriage pills are also used to perform medical abortion (misoprostolol). After taking them, strong contractions of the uterus occur within 24-72 hours, resulting in a miscarriage. After such treatment, an ultrasound of the uterus should be done to record its complete cleansing of the remnants of the membranes.

Curettage (cleaning the uterus) after a miscarriage

Cleaning the uterus should be done if the fetal rejection was partial. Cleaning, or curettage, is sometimes ignored by the doctor or the patient herself, which can lead to severe inflammatory processes and even the inability to become pregnant in the future.

Before cleaning, the woman is given an enema and pubic hair is removed. The anesthesiologist will select the type of anesthesia depending on the indications and contraindications. Using speculums and dilators, the doctor opens the cervix, and then uses a special curette to remove the fertilized egg and its membranes. Then the uterine cavity is curetted to prevent inflammation. After a miscarriage, a histological examination of the collected material is required. After a woman has undergone cleansing, she must follow all doctor’s prescriptions during the rehabilitation period. Sexual activity after curettage is excluded for 2 months.

How to restore moral health after a miscarriage

If the physical body works normally within 1-2 months after a spontaneous abortion, then the woman’s psychological well-being can take much longer to recover. Often a failed mother tries to get pregnant right away, but this is strictly prohibited. Life after the loss of a child is difficult, but you shouldn’t become isolated and drive yourself to despair. If a woman develops depression, it will not be easy to get out of it. Some ladies experience anger and rage, others experience melancholy, and others look for a way out in alcohol. To relieve post-abortion stress disorder, it is better to visit a qualified psychologist and maintain contact with loved ones. A woman should remember that previously restoring moral health is another step towards the next attempt to get pregnant and finally become a mother!

Sex life after miscarriage

Usually the menstrual cycle resumes a few weeks after a miscarriage. Therefore, you should use the usual methods of contraception, since getting pregnant during this period is extremely undesirable. But sexual activity should not begin earlier than 1.5 months after a spontaneous abortion (after curettage, this period is extended to 2 months). Otherwise, inflammation and damage to tissues that have not yet recovered may begin.

Pregnancy after miscarriage: when to plan

You should try to conceive again no earlier than 6-12 months after the miscarriage. Some women strive to get pregnant after the menstrual cycle has normalized, but this is only possible with complete physical and moral rehabilitation. In other cases, planning a pregnancy after a miscarriage causes great fear in the woman, and the couple stops trying. Therefore, you should act as your own heart tells you, but do not rush. It is better to carefully prepare for future motherhood and prevent the tragic story from repeating itself.

How to prepare for a new pregnancy

If you are unable to get pregnant after a miscarriage, or abortions are repeated again and again, you should undergo an examination to identify the cause of such events. The diagnostic program, in addition to histological examination of the membranes and embryo, should include:

• tests for all STIs;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• tests for hormones, including those produced by the thyroid gland;
• blood glucose level;
• general clinical studies;
• genetic tests (as prescribed by a doctor);
• tests for the biocompatibility of the blood of spouses.

Preparing for pregnancy after a miscarriage should include proper nutrition, taking vitamins (especially vitamin E, folic acid), and both spouses giving up bad habits and excessive coffee consumption. Since an overdose of vitamins A and D can cause a miscarriage, you should inform your doctor about taking medications containing them. Sometimes a woman is recommended to be vaccinated against certain infectious diseases, for example, rubella and chickenpox.

Prevention of miscarriage

It is not always possible to insure against spontaneous termination of pregnancy, since it is impossible to take into account various gene mutations and the influence of chronic diseases. But there are several tips that, if followed, will bring real results in preventing miscarriage. Among them:

• healthy lifestyle;
• proper nutrition;
• combating physical inactivity and stress;
• weight normalization;
• taking vitamins.

All recommendations are suitable for implementation even before pregnancy. After conception, you should avoid putting stress on your stomach, not take alcohol even in small doses, visit your doctor regularly and take all the medications he prescribes. Even after the first failure, you should not despair, because with the right approach, most women will experience the joy of motherhood!